Sophie Ingle selected for Team GB at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics
Newport, Wales, UK. 21st Oct, 2020. Sophie Ingle of Wales in training. Wales Women Training Session at Rodney Parade on the 21st October 2020. Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Wales captain Sophie Ingle has been selected in the Team GB squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The 18-player squad – selected by interim England head coach Hege Riise – includes only one Welsh player.
Scottish internationals Kim Little and Caroline Weir join Ingle as the only non-English inclusions in the side.
“I know first-hand as a former player just how proud my players will feel today at having been selected to represent Great Britain,” said head coach Riise.
“There is no greater sporting occasion in the world and I am honoured to lead this hugely talented team into the Games.
“We will go there aiming to win and we will give everything we have to achieve success. I hope Great Britain’s inclusion once more in the Olympic Football Tournament can inspire the next generation of young girls to play the sport we love.”
There were no Welsh players in the 2012 squad meaning Ingle could become the first Welsh women to represent Team GB in an Olympic football competition.
Ingle is one of 13 players that are making their Olympic debut in Tokyo this summer.
Joining her are the likes of Fran Kirby, Millie Bright, Lauren Hemp, Nikita Parris and 2020 The Best FIFA Women’s Player Lucy Bronze.
The Chelsea midfielder has had a fantastic season with her club winning the WSL and the Conti Cup before finishing runners up in the Champions League.
Team GB have been drawn in Group E alongside hosts Japan, Chile and Canada.
They’ll face Chile on the opening day of the tournament at the Sapporo Dome on 21 July before facing Japan three days later.
Riise’s side will round off the group against Canada on 27 July at the Kashima Stadium.
Team GB qualified for the tournament thanks to England reaching the semi-final at the 2019 World Cup.
With the Lionesses being the highest ranked of the home nations, the Football Association are overseeing Team GB in Tokyo.
Team GB Squad
Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Man City and England), Ellie Roebuck (Man City and England)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea and England), Lucy Bronze (Man City and England), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash and England), Steph Houghton (Man City and England), Demi Stokes (Man City and England), Leah Williamson (Arsenal and England)
Midfielders: Sophie Ingle (Chelsea and Wales), Kim Little (Arsenal and Scotland), Jill Scott (Man City and England), Keira Walsh (Man City and England), Caroline Weir (Man City and Scotland)
Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Man City and England), Fran Kirby (Chelsea and England), Nikita Parris (Lyon and England), Georgia Stanway (Man City and England), Ellen White (Man City and England)
