Former Lioness Fara Williams shares how England squad can cope with pressure of playing at World Cup

Williams, who was speaking to GB News as part of the launch of the Airbnb Player Accommodation Fund, said: "I think certain pressures are obviously different, and players deal with pressures very differently.

"For debutants first time at a tournament, it's normally really exciting, and you probably don't feel as much pressure as maybe players that have been before.

"I remember when I first went, I was probably really refreshing for some of the experienced players, because I was so excited, and likewise, as I started to get older, it became a little bit repetitive.

"So, it's super exciting when you have fresh debuts in a squad that is going to their first major tournament."

With nine debutants for the Three Lions at the World Cup, Williams explained the importance of the senior players to help them navigate their first taste of the biggest stage of them all.

She told the People's Channel: "I think (you look to them for) more on pitch stuff.

"But, pretty much in terms of off the field, it allows you to get up to your own devices.

"When there were senior players, they were definitely there if I needed anything, and likewise, I was there for the younger players as I started to become more experienced.

"You don't force yourself onto players, you don't tell them, you don't go to them and give them your experiences, you wait for them to kind of ask and feed off of what you've done before."

The Three Lions have been in Miami acclimatising to the extreme heat they will endure during the World Cup.

Temperatures at England's training camp have been around the 30C mark, as Thomas Tuchel's side get ready for their first match against Croatia.

Discussing the impact the climate will have, Williams said: "I remember my first World Cup in China, and it was so hot, humid, and you're literally gasping for air sometimes. So, it definitely can become very difficult.

"Obviously, when I played out in China, we didn't have the quarterly breaks, for water, free hydration, and they have them in place for this World Cup, so that's key that they get their fluids on board.

"Sometimes players aren't used to playing in that type of temperature and humidity regularly, but I think it's the same for every nation that is attending."

The Lioness shared she is excited to see the midfield duo of Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice take control of games for England.

Williams said: "When I asked what player I wanted on the plane, what would be my kind of the first one name, it would have been Anderson, I think he's had a phenomenal season.

"I think his stats speak for themselves, in terms of duels, in terms of possession, in terms of carrying the ball forward, all of these types of things, and he balances off Rice quite well, allows Rice to get to get in more advanced positions."

Williams was speaking to GB News as part of Airbnb and WSL Football partnership to launch a £1million fund to help players fund short-term accommodation during the transfer window. The partnership aims to take some pressure off transfers and support players when they are moving to Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2 club. It comes as Airbnb and Women's Super League (WSL Football) announce a new multi-year partnership to connect the community behind women's football.

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