The next FIFA Women’s World Cup™ may be three years away, but Ella Toone has already set her sights on claiming the sport’s greatest prize.

Toone was part of the England team that finished runners-up at Australia & New Zealand 2023, with the Lionesses edged out in the final by an exceptional Spain side. That experience, Toone revealed, has only intensified her desire to win the title in 2027.

“The World Cup was an unbelievable tournament,” said the 24-year-old. “Growing up, it was something I always wanted to be a part of and I enjoyed every minute of it, apart from falling short right at the end. We’ve learned so many lessons from that and now we’re hungrier than ever to go that one step further. And I’m hungrier than ever to be a part of it again.

“Year-on-year, women’s football is growing. Hopefully, by 2027, the tournament will be even bigger than the one we’ve just had. It’s really exciting and it’s something you definitely look forward to. It’s a long way away but we have to focus on what’s in front us, keep performing at club and international level, and hopefully go into that really prepared. We can’t wait.”

Toone was an influential figure throughout England’s World Cup campaign. She started five matches of the team’s seven matches – including their final three knockout fixtures – and scored in the Lionesses’ thrilling last-four victory over hosts Australia.

“In terms of a high point, stepping out and making my World Cup debut (against Haiti) was such a special moment,” said the Manchester United star. “I’ve always wanted to be a footballer and to play for England, so to play at the World Cup was the icing on the cake.

“As a tournament, it was everything and more. I soaked up every single moment of it, on and off the pitch, and went out there and played with a smile on my face. I played against unbelievable players, countries with so much talent, and I just enjoyed the journey. Scoring against Australia was another highlight, as well as stepping out in a World Cup final. Those are things that will stay with me for a long time.”

Toone has regularly shown she is a player for the big occasion. A scorer for England in their EURO 2022 final victory over Germany, she was also on target in the Lionesses’ ۲۰۲۳ Finalissima triumph against Brazil.

At club level, she is a standard-bearer for United and was a near ever-present as they finished runners-up in the 2022/23 WSL – the club’s best-ever performance in the division.

Toone’s consistently impressive performances for club and country saw her voted by her fellow professionals into the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11, which was revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ last week.

“It’s an amazing feeling [to be in the World 11],” she said. “I think that’s the greatest honour you can get, to be selected by players you’ve come up against, a lot of whom are unbelievable players who I look up to.

“Now, I just want to keep improving as a person and as a player – to play consistently for my club and set myself standards within that in terms of goals and assists. Also, on the international stage, to wear the shirt with pride like I always do and put on some big performances.”