Former England midfielder Jill Scott believes the Lionesses can win the Women’s World Cup and says Sarina Wiegman’s side will be the best-prepared team at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

The 36-year-old Euro 2022 winner praised the “humble” squad ahead of their Group D opener against Haiti on July 22 and insists she will have no problem being a pundit this time instead of a player.

She said: “I’ve watched the Lionesses a few times as a player since I’ve retired – they were too fast for me, and too good!”

Scott, who won ITV’s I’m a Celebrity last year after retiring, continued: “We’ve got a great group of girls – grounded, humble, but also incredible players.

“I think it’ll be the best-prepared team going out to the World Cup.

“Yeah, there’s going to be competition from the likes of Spain, Brazil you can never ever write off, (and) USA’s mentality – that winner’s mentality.

“But I do think that we’ll do well. I think we’ll be the best-prepared team and can we win it? Course we can.”

Scott was speaking by the Angel Of The North in Gateshead, as a 4.5-metre statue of herself posing with her arms out was unveiled to publicise the announcement that she will be a captain on Sky’s hit show A League Of Their Own.

“I’m standing here and it’s just such a surreal moment, to think I’ve actually got my own statue,” she said. “And I think she looks pretty decent, to be honest.

“The process was that I had to go into a room, there was about 130 cameras and they just all flashed at once, and off that one picture, they created this statue.

“The attention to detail is brilliant. Although I did joke that I don’t think my legs have been that smooth, ever!

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“It’s just such a proud moment for me and my family to think that I’ve got a statue.”

The Mayor of Gateshead was there, along with players from the Boldon and Gateshead College sides she played for growing up.

Scott said she will be fine coping with the cut and thrust of the fun show, following other ex-footballers like Jamie Redknapp and Micah Richards.

She said: “I’ve seen how well they’ve kind of coped with that transition, they seem to have a laugh, but then also that competitive streak comes out as well.

“So I think this show should suit me really in terms of personality. I want to have a laugh, but also being serious at the same time when I want to win for the blue team.”

Asked if the public will see a different side of her on ALOTO, after being voted Queen of the Jungle with her authentic personality, Scott said: “I think I can’t do anything but ‘nice’, to be honest.

“The only time that I was a little bit nasty was when I stepped over that white line but I think I will be a little bit competitive.”

Since winning the Euros and winning the jungle show, Scott admitted: “Yeah, life’s changed a lot. I was used to just going to football every single day.

“Now I have to check my itinerary every single week and try and make sure I’m at places on time.

“I’m enjoying that, I’ve got to do some incredible stuff. I was at Royal Ascot last week, I’m going to Wimbledon this week.

“So there’s some great opportunities that are coming along and I’m just grateful to have work, especially after you retire.”

Sarina Wiegman has declared it is time for England to get 'back to business' after naming her first Lionesses squad since steering the team to victory at the European Championships.

England tackle Austria and Luxembourg as the European champions look to seal qualification for next year's World Cup, with further glory targeted after clinching a maiden honour last month.

The Lionesses are still riding the high from the success against Germany at Wembley, with focus on the women's game increasing significantly, but, while that triumph is fresh in the memory, Wiegman has called upon the squad to focus.

"It only feels like yesterday since we were celebrating at Wembley, but we have to get straight back to business," she said in a press conference.

"We have a big target in front of us this month to book our place at the World Cup, and we have to set aside our amazing memories of this summer for the moment."

Wiegman will be without two experienced figures in the squad, with record-goalscorer Ellen White and Jill Scott, the second-most capped player in Lionesses' history, both announcing their retirements this week 

"It is hard to describe their impact in words. They have been with the team for such a long time, impacting the game with the national team and club teams in England so much," Wiegman added.

"I've only worked with them for a year, I'm disappointed it is not longer, but I understand and respect their decision. We are so proud of them and thankful for what they've brought to the game. I hope they stay in football in another role."

Chloe Kelly, scorer of England's winning goal in the final, and Fran Kirby have both been omitted from the squad through injury, while Hannah Hampton is out amid "personal issues" - tallying together for five changes from the Euro 2022 squad.

Sandy MacIver, Lauren James, Jordan Nobbs, Katie Zelem and Ebony Salmon have all been called-up in their place.

England squad

Mary Earps, Sandy MacIver, Ellie Roebuck, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Katie Zelem, Bethany England, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Beth Mead, Nikita Parris, Alessia Russo, Ebony Salmon.

Jill Scott has become the second member of England's Euro 2022-winning squad to announce her retirement in as many days, with the nation's second-most-capped player hanging up her boots at the age of 35.

The midfielder, the only member of the victorious Lionesses squad who remained from their previous final defeat in 2009, brings the curtain down on an 18-year career just weeks on from beating Germany at Wembley.

Scott follows England's record goalscorer Ellen White in announcing she is bowing out of the game, revealing her decision in a lengthy feature penned for The Players' Tribune.

"Two things have always been true about me," the former Manchester City stalwart wrote. "I've always been stubborn, and I've always loved football. It's been in my blood ever since I was five years old. 

"If you would have told me that I'd live to see 90,000 people packed into Wembley Stadium for a women's European final? And that I'd be playing in it? Impossible."

"I'm retiring from football. And I'm leaving with a gold medal swinging from my neck."

Scott began her senior career with hometown club Sunderland in 2004, but it was a move to Everton in 2006 that saw her establish herself as one of the English game's key talents.

She won FA Women's Premier League Cup and FA Women's Cup honours before a move to Manchester City in 2013, where she helped the club become one of the dominant forces in the Women's Super League, winning in 2016.

At international level, Scott made her debut against the Netherlands as a teenager in August 2006 and went on to win 161 caps across a 16-year Lionesses career, and a further nine caps for Great Britain.

She was a member of the 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cup squads, making the semi-finals in the latter two, as well as the 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022 European Championship squads.