West Ham United Women have eight players away on international duty over the next ten days.
The first international window of the season is here and several of Paul Konchesky’s players could be taking part in crucial 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers for their country.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the September International window.
Who has been called up?
West Ham United Captain, Dagný Brynjarsdóttir has been named in the Iceland squad as they tackle two tricky World Cup qualifiers. Similarly, Hawa Cissoko will join up with the France squad for their two qualifiers, as does Jess Ziu for the Republic of Ireland.
Away from competitive action, Mackenzie Arnold has flown out to Australia for their friendly matches on home soil. Thea Kyvåg has joined up with Norway U19s, whilst Halle Houssein, Alex Hennessy and Keira Flannery have linked up with England U19s.
Where and when will they play?
All the action gets underway on Wednesday (31 August) evening, with Kyvåg looking to be involved in Norway’s friendly match against the Czech Republic at the Generali Česká pojišťovna Arena. Kyvåg was heavily involved in Norway’s run to the final of the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship this summer, which was also hosted in the Czech Republic, and she will be hoping to have an impact in this friendly match.
Ziu could feature for the Republic of Ireland in their qualifying matches. Vera Pauw’s side take on Finland on Thursday (1 September) at the Tallaght Stadium. Ziu and co then travel to Slovakia for their final qualifying match on Tuesday (6 September). Victory in both outings could see them attain a play-off spot.
On Friday, Brynjarsdóttir and Iceland have the chance to gain automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup with two crucial matches against Belarus and the Netherlands – with the latter currently topping the standings in Group C.
Iceland take on Belarus in Reykjavík on Friday, before heading to Utrecht to take on the Netherlands on Tuesday in what could be the decider between who finishes first and second in the group. Iceland have never previously qualified for a World Cup, the Hammers captain will be hoping that she can help her team to do so.
Having already qualified, France know that the pressure is off going into their final two Would Cup qualifiers. Les Bleues will first travel to the Lilleküla Stadium on Friday, where they will face Estonia. The sides have already met in Group I back in October 2021, where France fired in eleven goals in a convincing victory.
Then, on Tuesday, Cissoko’s side will then head back to France to face Greece at the Stade Louis Dugauguez in what will be their final game of qualifying.
Away from competitive action, Arnold is away with the Matildas for their friendly matches against Canada as they return to home soil for the first time since April.
Arnold could make her 30th cap for Australia against a strong Canada team which won gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo only one year ago. The first game takes place on Saturday 3 September in Brisbane, with the re-match being played in Syndey on Tuesday 6 September.
Finally, Houssein, Hennessy and Flannery are away on camp with the England U19s team this week. The young trio will spend time at St. George’s Park before returning back to Chadwell Heath in time for the beginning of the new Barclays Women’s Super League season.
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