Teenage midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson has earned a place in England’s provisional squad ahead of next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Head coach Lydia Bedford has selected the 18-year-old North Carolina Courage player in a 24-member group that will attend a warm-weather training camp in Portugal next week.
The players will have one last chance to make their case during a friendly against Portugal on Thursday, 13 August. Three members of the group will miss out when the final World Cup squad is confirmed on Thursday, 20 August.
Parkinson previously joined Sarina Wiegman’s senior squad for April’s matches against Spain and Iceland, while she has also represented England at under-23 level.
The under-20 selection also includes Arsenal duo Sophie Harwood and Jessie Gale, alongside Eva Hendle, who completed a loan move from Chelsea to Rangers this week.
This will be the team’s fourth camp of the summer. Bedford’s players have recorded victories over Canada and Colombia, shared a draw with the United States and suffered a defeat against Japan.
England will compete at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2018, having been placed in a group with Brazil, Tanzania and Canada.
Their tournament will get under way against Canada on Saturday, 5 September.
Bedford said the team had enjoyed an encouraging summer and delivered impressive displays against high-level opponents. She added that the players had responded well to each test and made pleasing progress.
With the final World Cup selection approaching, Bedford believes the camp provides a crucial last chance for each player to demonstrate her ability.
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