ENGLAND head coach Phil Neville has hailed this summer’s World Cup as the “tipping point for the women’s game.”

After naming his squad travelling to France for the tournament this morning, Neville took a step back from the Lionesses’ potential success and took a wider look at what this tournament means for not just the sport in Britain but the rest of the world.

“There’s a bigger picture than just England this summer. There’s going to be the greatest, biggest Women’s World Cup of all time,” said Neville.

“This World Cup is a tipping point for the women’s game where I think it’s just going to go boom.

“We’re in a period now where it can only get bigger and better and I think that is probably the bigger picture.”

Before taking a holistic approach to his first World Cup, Neville admitted that he was “absolutely convinced” his team would be successful this summer, but stopped short of quantifying what would be success for a team that reached the semi-finals of the previous World Cup and lifted the SheBelieves Cup back in March.

“Since I got the job, I don’t think I’ve shied away from the expectations, the ambition of this team,” said Neville, whose side face Scotland, Argentina and Japan in Group D.

“And I sit here today in a position where I’m absolutely convinced we can go to this World Cup and have a good successful tournament.

“We’ve got a squad that is highly motivated, we’ve got a squad that is full of world-class players and we’ve got a squad that now has the confidence and belief to go to a World Cup to be successful.

“That gives me great confidence as a manager.”

The announcement of the team was made early this morning in a series of tweets, each player having a famous face, ranging from Raheem Sterling and David Beckham to Emma Watson and James Corden, announce the selections.

Fran Kirby, Steph Houghton, Nikita Parris, Georgia Stanway and Karen Carney were just some of the names called out on social media.

As always, there were a few players who missed out, Lyon midfielder Izzy Christiansen arguably the biggest name.

After the full list was revealed, early reports were that the 27-year-old missed out due to the fractured fibula and ankle ligament damage suffered at the SheBelieves Cup.

However, Neville later revealed that Christiansen managed to get fit enough to be considered for the squad but missed out due to the form of other midfielders and admitted that it had left the player “devastated.”

Neville said of Christiansen: “She was devastated, as you can imagine. I don’t think I’ve seen a player work as hard since SheBelieves trying to get fit for a World Cup.

“She’s sacrificed everything in her life to get to this point and she would have been fit to go to a World Cup and the selection for Izzy is purely on the performance of the other players that have taken their opportunities in midfield.

“I think I can look myself in the mirror and say every single one of these players has had opportunities.”

On the players who did make the final cut, the England head coach said that it was a “celebration of their efforts” while also taking time out to thank those players who were left out.

“We’ve tried to keep our players humble over the last 12 months but I think today’s the day when you shout from the rooftops, it’s a special moment, they’ve dreamed all their lives about going to a World Cup,” said Neville.

“Today’s the celebration of their efforts, their sacrifices and their performances over their careers.

“It gives me great honour and pride to name these girls in my World Cup squad.

“I must also thank those who just missed out for all of their efforts. We would not be in this position without them, they have played a big part in our World Cup journey and I know they will be our biggest supporters this summer.

“Picking a squad is never easy but I believe in this group and I know they will be ready to help us perform at our very best at the finals.

“We know what we are capable of achieving and are determined to do all we can to be successful. We keep saying it but the hard work starts now and we are going to give it everything we have to make the nation proud.”