West Ham United Women will have six players at this summer’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup! The tournament, which is being held across Australia and New Zealand is now just four days away from beginning.
Ahead of the action getting underway, we will spotlight every Hammer who will be in action throughout the competition. Next up is Izzy Atkinson...
The Republic of Ireland are heading to their first ever World Cup, and for Atkinson, it's been a rollercoaster couple of weeks.
Having initially not been selected by Head Coach Vera Pauw's 31-player preliminary squad for the friendly match against Zambia, an injury to Liverpool's Megan Campbell saw Atkinson come into the team and impress in a 3-2 win against the African nation.
Then, Atkinson was named in the 23-player squad for the tournament a matter of weeks later. The 22 year-old made her international debut in June 2018 and will be hoping to add to her five caps over the next four weeks.
Atkinson arrived in east London in July 2022, having previously played for Celtic in the Scottish Women's Premier League. Before her spell in Scotland, Atkinson played alongside Jess Ziu at Shelbourne in her native Republic of Ireland.
The flying winger made 20 appearances in total in her debut season in England as she adapted to life in the Barclays Women's Super League.
Atkinson's standout moment during the campaign was her impact in a narrow 1-0 win over Leicester City at Chigwell Construction Stadium, where Atkinson came off the bench and showed composure beyond her years to slot home a last minute winner back in November.
Atkinson and her teammates have been drawn in Group B, and will make their debut at a World Cup against hosts Australia on Thursday 20 July at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
A tough tie against Canada in Perth follows on Wednesday 26 July, before ending the group stage against Nigeria at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Monday 31 July.
Matches will be available to watch in the UK across the BBC and ITV.
For all the latest news on Hammers in action at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, stay up to date with whufc.com!
