England stars think Canada World Cup pitch issue can work in their favour

In October a group of leading players, including USA’s Abby Wambach, filed a lawsuit claiming sexual discrimination over the decision to use synthetic pitches at the tournament.

Players from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and Spain were involved but no English took part or spoke out on the matter.

Last month the complaint was withdrawn but bitterness towards FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association remain.

And talking ahead of England’s friendly with the USA today, Arsenal midfielder Nobbs claimed the commotion could actually help England as it distracts everyone else.

“I think it’s irrelevant what pitch we play on,” she told Express Sport.

“We’re excited to be a in a World Cup and whether it’s on grass, astro, turf or whatever – we’ll be preparing ourselves and ready to play. I don’t think it’s an issue with the pitch.

“If anything you know it’s on their mind, that they’re going to be thinking about it, and they might even be thinking about it when they walk out on the pitch so it’s one thing that at least that’s not even in our minds.”

And Williams – England’s all-time record cap holder – echoed Nobbs’ thoughts, insisting Women’s Super League teams including her Liverpool and Everton playing on the surface has prepared them for it. 

“Let them concentrate on that and then maybe it’ll be a distraction for them,” Williams said.

“To be fair I think that’s what’s going to work in our favour going over.

“We haven’t even spoken about it, and the reason we haven’t spoken about it is because we train on it and we play on it, so we’re quite used to them surfaces and it’s no bother to us.”