The FIFA Women’s World Cup begins this Sunday, June 26, in Germany. As the popularity of women’s football rises, so does the quality and competition of each match and the England team are looking better than ever.

Sportsister spoke to England striker Karen Carney to find out her thoughts about the upcoming tournament.

Were you feeling anxious waiting for the news that you made it into the team?

The only day I got anxious was the day of the actual phone call. It had been a manic week so I really just hadn’t had the time to think about anything, thankfully, until the actual phone call.

Once I was told I was in, I got all jittery thinking, ‘Wow, I made it’, and its only just sunk in that I’m going and I’m so happy.

Any surprises in who was chosen for the squad?

I didn’t have a vision of a certain squad, I didn’t think about it. I just thought about giving myself the best possible chance. It’s a selfish thing to say but that was my objective.

I’m really sad and disappointed for those who didn’t make it. I can only say that I’m sorry for them and hopefully they will bounce back. There were a lot of big characters within that small pool of players and they will bounce back and they’re good people.

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What are your thoughts on the competition?

Every team brings different elements. Japan are a very small, tight, tidy team and they all bring different aspects to the table that we’ll have to counteract. It should be a good challenge.

Germany are definitely the tournament favorites. They’re in their home nation which can be seen as a positive and also a negative thing because of the pressure but they’ve had a lot of experience at big tournaments so you’d probably put your money on them but you don’t know what’ll happen.

You’ve had a fantastic start to the season. How has it been playing with Birmingham in the FA WSL?

It’s been good but you always want more. You don’t stop until you’ve got what you want around your neck. I’ve got to keep going. It’s only half-way, it’s like half time, you’re only one-nil up and still a lot of things can happen. I’m confident with the squad that we’ve got and the manager so we’ve had a good start and hopefully it will continue but I think it’s all in our hands - we can either grab it with both of them or we can throw it away.

I think Birmingham have done really well [fan wise etc], a few other teams can improve on that but it’s the start of the League so they need to develop that but for our home games we’ve been getting 700, some good attendances, played some good football, in a nice stadium, so it’s been brilliant. It’s been positive and a good start. It’s never going to be easy in your first year as a start-up league but it’s gone well and for me it’s about Birmingham and we’ve done really well.

Will it drive participation at grassroots level?

We’re going into schools, we went to the grassroots festival and doing different appearances on radio and TV and it’s all great. This is the biggest it’s ever been in terms of media backing and with grassroots the more it gets out into the media the more that little girls know there are teams out there and there are female role models. When I’m going into schools I’m noticing more than the one girl that was there was when I was young. I was the only girl and now I’m noticing a big group of girls who are really good so it’s really good.

Do you hope the FA WSL will turn pro?

Right now it’s focusing on getting the semi-pro league right. We can’t make a giant step to have a big fall which is what the American league did the first time round. You have to make it sustainable so get it sustainable at semi-pro, get a fan base following and then make that jump when you know you can. I think with events like the World Cup and the Olympics to further heighten the profile of the game it will be perfect timing to do it in two or three years’ time.

About the England team. Who is the…

Team joker?

Jill Scott

The bossiest?

Probably the gaffer! Hope (Powell)

The rising star?

Sophie Bradley

The loud mouth?

Jill Scott

Most likely to score England’s first goal?

Kelly Smith

The strongest penalty-taker?

Fara Williams

Most vain?

Eniola Aluko

Least vain?

I don’t know, we’re all females so we all take pride in what we look like!

Who can do the most push-ups?

Laura Bassett

Which England Players should we be looking out for?

Everyone knows of Kelly, Alex and Yanky but you should also look out for Ellen White and Jess Clarke.

Louise Hudson and Monica Scott, Sportsister

The Women’s Sports Magazine