CORRECTED-Soccer-Houghton first England pick in unconventional World Cup unveiling
The Duke of Cambridge announced defender Houghton's spot in a video message. "It gives me great pleasure to be able to announce that England's defensive rock and captain Steph Houghton will be on the plane to France. Steph - congratulations. I know you and the team will do the nation proud. Good luck!" The squad will be revealed over several hours to allow each individual their moment in the sun, manager Phil Neville said.
"We wanted to make sure each individual player had a special moment." Other early announcements included striker Ellen White - revealed by TV host and actor James Corden - and left back Alex Greenwood who was announced by singer Olly Murs.
Neville will host a news conference at Wembley Stadium later on Wednesday. The World Cup will feature 24 teams, and takes place across France from June 7-July 7.
England are one of the favourites for the tournament this year. Their best result was a third-place finish in 2015 in Canada. (Reporting by Ossian Shine; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Manchester City W.F.C.
- Phil Neville
- Lucy Bronze
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Australia national cricket team
- Manchester United F.C.
- The Country House
- Wine Country
- Gross domestic product
- South West England
- Highways England
- West Indies cricket team
- Cambridge Corn Exchange
- Cambridge Satchel Company
- Cambridge Latin Course
- France Football
- Campus France
- Strike action
- Nation Media Group
- United Nations
ALSO READ
Kejriwal's PA Bibhav Kumar to challenge termination by Directorate of Vigilance in CAT: AAP legal team
"We were unstoppable": Punjab FC coach Vergetis hails team's performance against East Bengal FC
"Team is giving 100 % in practice sessions": Darshan Nalkande following last-ball thriller against RR
Billie Jean King Cup 2024: Indian women's tennis team beat Chinese Taipei 2-1
"Glad it worked here": Bumrah reveals 'backup plan' of moving to Canada if team India plan did not work