Eleven of our City stars have been selected in Team Great Britain’s women’s football squad - the most from any single team - to compete in Japan, making up more than 60% of the 18-strong line-up.
Lionesses Steph Houghton, Ellie Roebuck, Demi Stokes, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Ellen White have all been chosen, while Scotland international Caroline Weir will join her Club teammates for the prestigious competition.
Experienced figures Karen Bardsley and Jill Scott, who have spent time on loan with OL Reign and Everton respectively during the 2020/21 season, have also been included.
The competition marks the second time that women’s football will feature at the tournament, following its inaugural appearance at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Captain Houghton, Bardsley, Scott and White all featured for Team GB on home soil, reaching the quarter-finals with three wins from three in the group stage, in which defender Houghton netted three times.
Led by Hege Riise, the squad will look to surpass that achievement in search of an Olympic medal.
Reflecting on the historic news, City Head Coach Gareth Taylor expressed his immense pride.
“We’re very proud of those who have made the final squad for Team GB,” he said. “It’s an incredible achievement for them and will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“To have eleven players in such a small squad speaks volumes about the quality and talent that these girls have – there is a great blend of youth and experience in there too.
“It will be a fantastic opportunity for the players, especially one that they’ll get to enjoy together, and everyone at Manchester City will be cheering them on this summer.”
Team GB will kick off their Olympic journey with three group stage games against Chile (Wednesday 21 July, 08:30 UK time), Japan (Saturday 24 July, 11.30 UK time) and Canada (Tuesday 27 July, noon UK time).
Should they progress, the quarter-finals will take place on Friday 30 July, semi-finals on Monday 2 August and Final on Thursday 6 August.
Full Team GB squad
GOALKEEPERS:
Karen Bardsley (Manchester City and England); Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City and England)
DEFENDERS:
Millie Bright (Chelsea and England); Lucy Bronze (Manchester City and England); Rachel Daly (Houston Dash and England); Steph Houghton (Manchester City and England); Demi Stokes (Manchester City and England); Leah Williamson (Arsenal and England)
MIDFIELDERS:
Sophie Ingle (Chelsea and Wales); Kim Little (Arsenal and Scotland); Jill Scott (Manchester City and England); Keira Walsh (Manchester City and England); Caroline Weir (Manchester City and Scotland)
FORWARDS:
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City and England); Fran Kirby (Chelsea and England); Nikita Parris (Olympique Lyonnais and England); Georgia Stanway (Manchester City and England); Ellen White (Manchester City and England)
RESERVE PLAYERS:
Sandy MacIver (Everton and England); Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal and England); Niamh Charles (Chelsea and England); Ella Toone (Manchester United and England)
