Leah Williamson and Lauren James have been named in Salina Wigman’s England 25-man squad for the upcoming Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The pair returned from injury to be included in the squad for games against Ukraine and Iceland, but had not featured for the Lionesses since Euro 2025, while goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and defenders Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood returned after not being part of November’s experimental squad.
London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson has earned her first senior call-up, but Wiegman has had a number of injury problems.
Arsenal’s trio of Beth Mead, Katie Reid and Michel Agyemang, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, Chelsea left-back Niamh Charles and Aston Villa’s Missy Beau Kearns are all ruled out.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck has been given priority over Chiara Keating, who will be part of the U23 squad after falling out of favor at Manchester City this season.
“We want to start the campaign in the best possible way and we need to be at the top level as we face two different challenges,” Wiegmann said.
“It’s a new opponent for this England team so I’m looking forward to that as well. I’m looking forward to getting back into the team and getting back to work.”
“As always, we would like to thank our fans for their support. It will be really special to have such a big crowd in Nottingham (representing Iceland) in such a historic stadium, but we can’t look too far ahead and will be fully focused on the opening game.”
england women’s national team
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa).
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotha), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Taylor Hynes (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Poppy Pattinson (London City Lionesses), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Uben Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Man City), Grace Clinton (Man City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Chelsea).
Forwards: Aggie Beaver-Jones (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Jess Park (Manchester United), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
More to come.
March 3: Ukraine (a), Mardan Stadium, Türkiye – 5 p.m.
March 7: Iceland (h), The City Ground – 12.30pm
April 14: Spain (time), Wembley – 7pm
April 18: Iceland (a), TBC
June 5: Spain (a), TBC
June 9: Ukraine (h), TBA
