SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – OCTOBER 14: Izzy Fisher of England poses for a … [+]
In the Dominican Republic today, the England team begin their attempt to win their first FIFA under-17 Women’s World Cup with a striker currently playing for Ipswich Town.
17-year-old Isabella Fisher goes to the tournament with the experience of playing at two U-17 European Championships behind her. Semi-finalists in 2023, they went one better the following year, reaching the final in Malmö, on both occasions eliminated by Spain, the current world champions at senior level.
A week shy of her 17th birthday, Fisher had distinguished herself in the group stage of that second European Championship, scoring a devastating nine-minute hat-trick against the host nation with a trio of close-range goals before the largest attendance of the finals.
LUND, SWEDEN – MAY 08: Izzy Fisher of England celebrates after scoring her side’s third goal during … [+]
Speaking to me from the team’s training camp, Fisher told me “when I scored that hat-trick against Sweden I felt pride. It was just an amazing experience, and moment, to see my parents in the crowd – to look at them and see them smiling was unforgettable. To do it against the hosts, in front of a massive crowd was also nerve-wracking but at the same time pushed me to play better. I made sure to give it 110% to go and win the game.”
By reaching the final, England qualified as one of three European representatives at the eighth FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in the Dominican Republic this month. In spite of the greater distance, Fisher will once more have her own personal fan-club at the Estadio Cibao FC in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros where the Young Lionesses will play their three group stage matches.
“Both of my parents are travelling to the Dominican Republic to support me and the rest of the girls,” Fisher told me. “My mum loves the England environment, always bringing flags! My dad is one of my biggest supporters and always has my back. I could be the best or the worst player on the pitch and he’ll still be my number one supporter.”
Prior to the defeat against Spain in the European Championship final, the England u17s had gone on an astonishing run of 13 consecutive victories with Fisher scoring ten goals under new head coach Natalie Henderson who succeeded Mo Marley after the end of the 2023 European Championship.
Fisher explained to me what Henderson has brought to the role. “Under Mo we reached an incredible achievement and got even a step further with Natalie. Nat is up-spirited, kind and always has our backs which boosts our environment and the girl’s togetherness.”
LUND, SWEDEN – MAY 11: England head coach Natalie Henderson and Izzy Fisher of England shake hands … [+]
It will be the first time in eight years that the England team has qualified for the U-17 Women’s World Cup. On the previous occasion, the Young Lionesses reached the quarter-finals, but five of the squad who travelled to Jordan – Ellie Roebuck, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo – went to become European champions at senior level six years later, illustrating the benefits of coming through the age-group pathway.
Fisher was 15 when England won the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2022 but tells me how she was inspired by the Lionesses’ success. “I was lucky enough to attend the final at Wembley and it was just an unreal experience. The crowd was roaring, and to see Chloe Kelly’s goal was just breath-taking to be honest. To see the Lionesses go that far was just inspirational and it gave me more faith as an upcoming female footballer.”
Fisher is one of eight women in the 21-player England squad who are currently tied to Arsenal. In August, she signed to play for third tier Ipswich Town on a dual registration deal for the season. She recently scored her first goal for the Suffolk side away to Exeter City and Ipswich Town head coach Joe Sheehan has high hopes for her.
“She is a strong player, has good variety in her play and we’re thankful Arsenal have trusted us to help develop her over the season. We’re really excited to work with her and we think she will have a really positive impact on our squad over the course of the season.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: L-R: Laila Harbert, Cecily Wellesley-Smith, Niamh Peacock, Eva Gray, … [+]
Fisher was given the number nine shirt by Ipswich and as the tallest outfield player in the England squad, it is no surprise that she looks up to some of the most renowned strikers in the men’s and women’s game.
“When I was younger, I grew up on ‘old-school boy football’ because my dad bought me up on football. Players that I used to watch were Alan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne but as the years went on and I learnt more about women’s football I took inspiration from Alessia Russo, Bunny Shaw and a number of other incredible players.”
The England team begin their campaign at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a match against Kenya today which will be streamed live on FIFA TV.
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