Sarina Wiegman wins World Cup tussle with clubs over England players’ release

England’s preparations for the Women’s World Cup have received a boost after the Football Association won its tussle with clubs over the release date for players to start preparations. The squad, with the possible exception of Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway, have been cleared to begin training on 19 June in line with Sarina Wiegman’s wishes.

The clubs had been pushing for England’s manager to respect a deal the European Club Association reached with Fifa for a release timeframe of 23-29 June. But it has been confirmed that all the players at WSL clubs and Barcelona’s Lucy Bronze will be free to travel to St George’s Park on 19 June. Bayern have previously said they will not release anyone before 23 June.

England players are due to work on individual programmes from 12 June and Wiegman identified 19 June as the ideal date to start squad preparations. It was announced on Friday that England are to play Portugal in their one warm-up game at Milton Keynes on 1 July. They are due to fly to Australia, which is hosting the World Cup with New Zealand, on 5 July.

The FA said: “We are grateful for the mutual understanding of the clubs, as we have collectively worked towards a solution with the wellbeing of players at the heart. All parties recognise we are not only preparing them to be fresh and fit for the intensity of a World Cup, but that a thorough preparation phase, including vital downtime with family and friends, will also benefit the players after the finals.

“We look forward to welcoming them to St George’s Park when they return from a well-earned rest. In the meantime, it is important the whole game comes together to address and solve the wider issues of the fixture calendar.”