Millie Bright's 'massive, massive honour' of captaining England at World Cup

England’s Millie Bright has spoken of her pride at leading out the Lionesses at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The defender was named as captain by head coach Sarina Wiegman ahead of the trip down under, following an injury to regular skipper Leah Williamson.

And the 29 year old says it’s a privilege for her to wear the armband as England prepare to open their campaign against Haiti in their first group game on Saturday (10.30am BST).

“It’s a massive, massive honour and I don’t think it gets much bigger than captaining your country, especially at a World Cup,” said Bright.

“I’m feeling really proud, really humble and just happy that she [Sarina] gave me this opportunity.

“To be a part of this group is really special and I think we have a great group of staff and the players are unbelievable and we’re really close.

“I think we can say that we’re like a family and we help each other through good and bad but most importantly, we’re looking forward to seeing everyone shine on the pitch and see where it takes us.”

As one of the senior players in the team with 66 caps since her debut in 2016, the Chelsea centre-half has been a long-serving member of the squad’s leadership group.

And she explained that once it was confirmed that Williamson wouldn’t be available for the tournament, it was a relatively straightforward decision within the group.

 

"It's the biggest honour." ❤️

Ready to captain the #Lionesses this summer. 👊 pic.twitter.com/XEdCB6kxRC

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 21, 2023

“It’s something we didn’t make a big deal over and I don’t think it needed to be a big deal in the respect that we were prepared for anything,” she explained.

“As a group, we’re prepared for all scenarios and situations and the leadership group was very clear in the way we worked and we all worked extremely closely together.

“I’ve always lived by this rule that I will never change whether I’m wearing the armband or not and I think all the players can back me on that.

“I think my behaviours stay the same and I just think my character, on and off the pitch, is something I’m proud of and that I set the standard every single day and I always want to lead by example.

“Hopefully I’m doing that for the team and when the going gets tough, I’m definitely one there riling everybody up and getting the troops together.”

Hailing from Derbyshire, where she took her first steps on a football pitch with grassroots club Killamarsh Dynamos, Bright began her professional career with Doncaster Rovers Belles.

Her move to Chelsea in 2015 saw her domestic career take off and she’s since been involved in multiple Barclays WSL and Women’s FA Cup victories with the Blues.

But she believes captaining England this summer will be right up there in terms of her greatest achievements and something for everyone involved in her career to take pride from.

“To be captain, my family are absolutely bursting with pride,” she added.

“My mum and dad say it regardless of whether I’ve got the armband or not and they’re just really proud of the person I am today and how I present myself.

“But it’s the biggest honour you could ever have as a player and for me and my family, I always represent what I do and for them it’s the biggest honour for them to see me walk out and lead the team

“We’re all just proud to be here and proud to be among this amazing group of players.”