Photo by Aimee Reynolds
England are back in action next month as they begin their bid to secure a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
In 2023, the team placed second in the competition in Australia & New Zealand, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney and the team are out for vengeance this year.
Earlier today, a new 25-player squad was announced in lieu of the qualifying matches against both Ukraine and Iceland, with the squad as follows:
Goal Keepers:
Hannah Hampton, Anna Moorhouse, Ellie Roebuck
Defenders:
Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Grace Fisk, Alex Greenwood, Taylor Hinds, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Poppy Pattinson, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders:
Laura Blindkilde Brown, Grace Clinton, Lucia Kendall, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh
Forwards:
Aggie Beever-Jones, Freya Godfrey, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Jess Park, Alessia Russo
One big noticeable change sees Ellie Roebuck called up in place of Khiara Keating, the goal keeper being called up in the primary squad for the first time since October 2023, having missed out on play opportunities both due to a stroke and a lack of playing time prior to illness.
In terms of defence, Poppy Pattinson earned herself her maiden call up to the senior team, with Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood and captain Leah Williamson all returning to the side after missing out on the November/December fixtures due to injury and recovery protocol. Niamh Charles misses out through injury once more.
With just five players named in the Lionesses midfield, we see Ella Toone and Missy Bo Kearns miss out through injury. This, combined with the recent retirement of Fran Kirby leaves England with a unique midfield mix and veterans Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh likely to play alongside more inexperienced players in Laura Blindkilde Brown, Grace Clinton and Lucia Kendall – the 21-year-old earning her debut just five months ago.
England’s attack looks much the same to previous squads, with Lauren James returning to the squad for the first time since England’s triumphant summer and Beth Mead missing out through injury. Meanwhile, Freya Godfrey maintains her spot in the squad after an impressive performance against Manchester City as Sarina Wiegman looked on.
England face Ukraine in Antalya, Turkeyon Tuesday 3rd March at 17:00 GMT with the sides facing each other for the first time since 2014.
Four days later, the Lionesses return to home soil as they face Iceland for the first time since 2009 on Saturday 7th March at 12:30 GMT with the match taking place at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
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