STEPH HOUGHTON is a football legend who has played for England more than 100 times.
Fans were left surprised when she was not picked for England's Women's World Cup 2023 squad, leading many to question why she is not playing.
Who is Manchester City and England defender Steph Houghton?
Steph Houghton is a football player from Durham, England.
She was born on April 23, 1988.
Houghton began her career playing for Sunderland but after five years with the team she moved to Leeds and later joined Manchester City.
In 2023, Steph signed a new deal with Man City after celebrating a decade with the club.
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Why is Steph Houghton not playing at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023?
Houghton was not picked for England's Women's World Cup 2023 squad by manager Sarina Wiegman.
The player, who also missed out on the 2022 Euros after undergoingsurgery on an Achilles injury, has opened up about her disappointment at being left out of the team for the tournament.
She told the Daily Mail: "I was disappointed because of how much effort I'd put into doing the things I was asked to do which was to get back into the City team, to play well and to play well against the best players.
"I spoke to the manager, she said firstly I need to get back into the team because I'd had a long period of time out [and] I fought my way back.
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"The next thing was to play well and to keep your shirt – from January on I've started every single game bar one."
She continued: "I feel as though I was in form, fit and ready to go, but sometimes it happens that you have a manager that doesn't see you as part of their plans."
When did Steph Houghton make her debut for England?
Houghton made her England debut in 2007.
Her first match for the national team was against Russia.
Initially, Steph played in midfield but she has since moved to a defence position.
Houghton earned her 100th cap for England in November 2018.
She captained the team for eight years until 2022.
Steph also represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.
Who is Steph Houghton's husband Stephen Darby?
Houghton's husband is former Bradford City defender Stephen Darby.
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They got married in June 2018.
Darby announced his retirement from football in September 2018 after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
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