Teenager Erica Meg Parkinson has been named in England's preparation squad for the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland next month. Boss Lydia Bedford has called up the North Carolina Courage midfielder, 18, as part of a 24-player squad for a warm weather training camp in Portugal next week.
Parkinson joined US side North Carolina Courage at the start of July, and is now among the players vying for a place in the final World Cup squad. Three players will be cut before the tournament squad is announced on Thursday, 20 August.
What chance do the players have to impress?
The squad will have a final opportunity to impress when they face their hosts in a friendly on Thursday, 13 August. That match comes after the training camp in Portugal, where Bedford will assess the group before making her selection.
Parkinson was part of Sarina Wiegman's senior set-up for the games against Spain and Iceland in April and has also featured for the under-23 side.
She is joined in the under-20 group by Arsenal pair Sophie Harwood and Jessie Gale, as well as Eva Hendle, who joined Rangers on loan from Chelsea this week.
How has England's summer gone so far?
This is the fourth training camp over the summer, with Bedford's side having beaten Canada and Colombia, drawn with the USA and lost to Japan so far. Bedford said the camp and friendly would be important because the World Cup squad announcement is just around the corner.
“We've had a really positive summer with some strong performances against top-quality opposition,” Bedford said. “The players have embraced every challenge and I'm really pleased with the progress we've made.
“With the World Cup squad announcement just around the corner, it's an important opportunity for the players to show what they can do.”
What is England's World Cup path?
It will be England's first appearance at an Under-20 Women's World Cup since 2018 and they have been drawn in a group featuring Brazil, Tanzania and Canada. They will begin their campaign against Canada on Saturday, 5 September.
The team will continue preparations in Portugal before the friendly against the hosts on Thursday, 13 August and the final squad announcement on Thursday, 20 August.
What else is being covered around Parkinson?
Related coverage includes why England teenager Parkinson has a mindset coach and why Sarina Wiegman said “I like surprises” when calling up 17-year-old Parkinson. Find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed.
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Key Facts
- Erica Meg Parkinson, 18, has been named in England's 24-player preparation squad for the Under-20 Women's World Cup.
- England's training camp will take place in Portugal next week, with a friendly against the hosts on Thursday, 13 August.
- The final World Cup squad of 21 players will be announced on Thursday, 20 August after three players are trimmed.
- England are in a group with Brazil, Tanzania and Canada and begin against Canada on Saturday, 5 September.
- This is England's first Under-20 Women's World Cup appearance since 2018.
