LONDON – Winning the European Championship has taken some of the pressure off England going into the Women’s World Cup, fullback Lucy Bronze said, despite the Lionesses being touted as one of the teams to beat in the tournament.

England won their first major title in 2022 on home soil, overcoming Germany in the final at Wembley. They are looking to improve on their semi-final runs at the previous two World Cups when the 2023 event takes place in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.

Barcelona’s Bronze said that instead of feeling like England had a target on their backs now, the squad would be more relaxed and could even emulate the record of reigning champions and four-time winners the United States.

“I think every tournament I’ve been part of after 2015, it was like an expectation that England should be making finals and winning, even though it’s something we’ve never experienced before,” Bronze, 31, told Reuters in a Zoom interview.

“Whereas now we’ve been there, we’ve done that we’ve won a trophy. We’ve done it... So the pressure of having to win something, it’s probably not there as much.

“I think that’s something that the US has always helped them in, especially the previous World Cup, where they came up against tough teams.

“Their experience of knowing how to deal with the pressure and knowing how to win in big games, saw them lift the trophy in the end.”

“So I think our experiences are invaluable in that respect and probably takes a little bit of pressure away.”

Sarina Wiegman’s England, who have only lost one game in 31 under the Dutchwoman, begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22 and also face Denmark and China in their group.

The coach revealed her squad on Wednesday, and much of the coverage focused on the players missing, with Euro Golden Boot winner Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson among those sidelined through injury.

However, Bronze was confident the Lionesses had the adequate squad depth to spread the load.

“We’re missing a few players through injury, sadly, some key players, but I think it’ll just give the chance for people to step up in different positions,” she said.

“We’ve got an exciting team... And hopefully we can make the final. I think that’s the one thing that we’re missing in England is a World Cup final (appearance).”

The defender added that she was feeling good after having surgery five weeks ago to repair a minor knee injury. REUTERS