Sarina Wiegman announced her 25-player England squad for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine next month. 

The latest squad announcement has given fans plenty to be excited about, with three key players returning from injury alongside several emerging talents continuing to impress ahead of a crucial international window.

Head coach, Wiegman has welcomed back some of England’s biggest names, offering a major boost as the Lionesses continue preparations for the next stage of their international campaign.

England Women’s Under 23s secured the European title on Friday, after beating Sweden 3-0 in Spain. Under new head coach Lydia Bedford, the team delivered a confident and composed performance in the final, showcasing both their attacking quality and resilience.

With goals from Izzy Goodwin, Hannah Silcock and Olivia McLoughlin, England sealed a dominant victory that underlined their growth throughout the tournament. 

The Lionesses face Iceland in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers on Saturday 18th April, but this game is about far more than just the three points. The match marks the 500th game of the Lionesses, since their first official game in 1972. Since then, they have consistently rewritten the narrative of women’s football.

This monumental game provides an opportunity to reflect on that journey.  

It was inevitable wasn't it. Two powerhouses of women's football clash once again in a fixture that has resembled that of a derby in recent years. The Lionesses, off the back of a second Euro’s win, will take on Spain in the race to Brazil 2027. 

Over 70,000 are expected to make the journey down Wembley Way towards the famous red and white arch in a landmark game that could see one of the 2023 World Cup finalists fall behind in the qualification race.

After thriving through the seventh European Deaf Futsal Championship in Croatia with a 100% winning record, the England Deaf Women’s Team brought it home following a 2-0 win against Poland in the final.

Not only did the result secure the title but signalled the growing impact of the Para Lionesses on the European stage. Winning this tournament is a reminder that disabilities should not limit opportunities in sports and raises awareness for deaf futsal both in England and globally.   

With a flawless group stage - and securing five wins in five throughout the competition - the team cruised through the tournament and proved themselves worthy of the first place finish.

Poppy Pattinson received her first senior Lionesses call-up and made her senior debut in a 6-1 victory over Ukraine, coming on as a second-half substitute.

The London City Lionesses’ defender spoke to the media following her first senior England experience. She outlined the highlights of camp, the pride of making her debut, what sets her aside from other left-backs, and her long-term ambitions both on the domestic and international footballing scenes.

Sarina Wiegman was honoured by the Football Writers Association (FWA) as the winner of their annual Tribute Award. The Dutch coach has been in charge of the Lionesses for almost five years, achieving back-to-back European titles, and reaching the UEFA Women’s World Cup Final with England. 

At the event, Leah Williamson made a speech as the England Captain. She praised Wiegman and gave an insight into her personality as a coach and a leader, as well as speaking about the legacy of the Lionesses and their initiatives to promote positive change for women and girls in sports.  

There is no doubt that Wiegman inspires the future of English football, as she is at the heart of this new era for women and girls in the sport.  

Ellie Roebuck is a twenty-six-year-old goalkeeper who currently plays for Aston Villa Women in the Barclays Women’s Super League, following a return to England from Barcelona FC Women.

In 2019, at just twenty-years-old, she won the WSL Golden Glove award for keeping the most clean sheets in the season, setting a record for being the youngest goalkeeper to win the award at the time.

Known for playing an outfield style of goalkeeping, Roebuck tends to use her feet a lot, which made many think that she would suit Barcelona’s playing style perfectly, considering they are a very technical team.

Opening the final international break of 2025 with an impressive 8-0 win against the Asian Champions, China, Sarina Wiegman’s England looked to build upon this success in their final friendly against Ghana.

The Lionesses have been in great form recently after retaining their title of European Champions this summer. In the previous international window, they had mixed results in their friendlies: a 3-0 win against Australia at Pride Park Stadium, but a 2-1 defeat to Brazil at the Etihad.  

The last time the Lionesses faced China was in the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, where they dominated 6-1. In the last five meetings of the two teams England managed two wins, now making this three in six.

Ahead of the 2025/26 season, Grace Fisk was announced as the new captain for Liverpool FC Women. She leads from the back and has emerged as a young talent to watch in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Due to the withdrawal of young defender, Katie Reid and Manchester City’s new signing, Grace Clinton, the Liverpool captain received her first call-up to the senior England squad under head coach, Sarina Wiegman. The squad welcomed Fisk to the international camp during the Lionesses’ homecoming series.

England is not just white: it is a spectrum of races and identities

With the growth of women's football and even in its early stages, a major positive of the game has been the space that it creates for minority groups, particularly for women and the intersection that has with the LGBTQIA+ community.

There is no doubt that the creation of such spaces and events should be celebrated… However, an issue that lies in the game and extends to the media and events that surround it, is race. It is something that has been witnessed on multiple occasions.

As the women’s game grows, these issues should arguably become more apparent and as a result resolutions are put in place, or at least that should be the case, but it most certainly is not.

The talent goes beyond those starting on the pitch 

Following the Lionesses victory in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, it was clear that every single player was key to their success. Although only eleven are on the pitch at once, all twenty-three play a part in lifting the EURO trophy.

Looking back on 2022, players including Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were used as impact substitutes; they changed the game in the second half. Now, they are regular starters in a squad of European Champions.

Now that the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is over, the Lionesses are trailblazers in women’s football.

Memories of the summer of 2022 are back, as the nation once again witnesses a European trophy lift. Becoming European Champions for the first time impacted the nation, but becoming European Champions for the second time has created an even stronger legacy.

How much have Sarina Wiegman’s England side impacted the future of women’s football? And how did they repeat history once again this summer?

It will be a game of luck, with both teams statistically capable of beating each other. It will be a game of who can score first and who can clear their defensive lines. It will be a game of who takes their chances and who is brave enough. Overall, it will be an interesting game with pure emotions playing a huge factor. 

One year and year months later, there is a repeat of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. The world-class Spain against England. The Lionesses are in their third consecutive major tournament final under head coach, Sarina Wiegman, despite their recent performances in the last few years. 

Is abuse in the women’s game increasing?

Despite the rising popularity and visibility of women’s football in recent years, the game has unfortunately brought with it a surge in negative and sometimes abusive commentary, both online and offline.

England defender, Lucy Bronze expressed abuse is on the rise after teammate Jess Carter was racially targeted during this summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO. There is no room for any kind of hate in sports. But it still occurs. These actions will not be tolerated.

In Sarina We Trust…Or Do We?

The Lionesses kickstarted their UEFA Women’s European Championship as Champions of the last, forcing them to defend their title in this year’s tournament. Sarina Wiegman’s England are looking to continue this winning legacy and go all the way.