France will be without captain Griedge Mbock for its opening match at the Women’s European Championship vs. England on Saturday.

Lauren James, who was a major doubt ahead of Sarina Wiegman’s squad selection, played her first match since April when she came on as a 63rd minute substitute in Sunday’s pre-tournament friendly — a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica. And Wiegman said James could even start when the Lionesses kick off their title defense against France on Saturday in Zurich.

The Lionesses were crowned champions of Europe in 2022 on home soil and now they are aiming to go one better. No England team has ever retained a major international title, but Wiegman believes her players can break new ground.