The Lionesses have endured a difficult start in a tricky qualifying group - losing 2-1 at home to France last week - and Mead thinks that teams are even more motivated to beat them after their triumph at the tournament two years ago.

Mead said: "You’ve got to beat the best to be the best, and we have a target on our back since winning the Euros.

"But we have enough quality in this team to be able to play against any team and beat them. It’s a tough group and some would say it's the group of death but you have to beat the best to be the best."

England travel to France for the reverse fixture between the sides on Tuesday (04.06.24) and Mead is confident that the Lionesses can triumph in a tough away game.

The Arsenal star said: "When we look at the game it's small margins. We let in two set pieces, which we pride ourselves massively, on and it's very frustrating.

"If we bring the game we know we can play then we have no reason not to be able to beat this French team."

England must finish in the top two of their group to automatically reach next year's tournament in Switzerland but coach Sarina Wiegman does not consider the France clash to be a must-win game.

She said: "I want to win. We always want to win games and it would really help us to put us in a better position if we win the game.

"We don't calculate. Of course we absolutely want to win, but if we wouldn't win we still have an opportunity to qualify for the Euros. It's not what we want because we are still going to try and top the group and that means we need a win tomorrow."