England announce 25 for world cup qualifiers schedule with Williamson recalled as Wiegman downplays contract talk
Sarina Wiegman has named a 25-player Lionesses squad for the March World Cup qualifiers, with captain Leah Williamson recalled and several notable returns after injury. England will face Ukraine on Tuesday, March 3, and host Iceland on Saturday, March 7, with kickoff times set in Eastern Time below.
Squad, selections and notable absences
The head coach has named a 25-player group that blends experienced internationals with fresh faces. Williamson returns to the squad for the first time since Euro 2025, joining the likes of Lauren James, Hannah Hampton and Alex Greenwood who have also been recalled after injury layoffs. New senior call-ups and uncapped inclusions underline the squad's depth: Poppy Pattinson earns her first senior call, while Grace Fisk and Freya Godfrey are included as new options in defence and midfield.
Injuries continue to shape selection. Ella Toone and Beth Mead are absent through injury, alongside Michelle Agyemang, while goalkeeper Khiara Keating has been omitted amid concerns about her recent playing minutes. Wiegman expressed confidence in the balance of the squad and in the players' readiness, stressing that selections reflect form, fitness and tactical needs for the opening qualifiers.
The full 25-player squad is: Goalkeepers 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.
Fixtures, locations and ET kickoff times
England open Group A3 against Ukraine in a neutral venue in Türkiye on Tuesday, March 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 12: 00 PM ET. The team then returns home to face Iceland at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground on Saturday, March 7, with kickoff at 7: 30 AM ET. The group also contains world champions Spain, meaning England must hit the ground running in a challenging qualification pool where only the top team secures direct passage to next year’s tournament in Brazil.
The international window has been extended, allowing teams to play three matches instead of the usual two, but England have opted to stick to two fixtures during this period. Wiegman explained the decision by pointing to fixture congestion at club level and the importance of managing minutes for players returning from injury.
Managerial focus and what to watch
Wiegman was clear that questions about her long-term future will not distract the squad. With her contract running through the 2027 World Cup cycle, she said there is no update on an extension and emphasised the coaching staff and players remain concentrated on qualification objectives. She framed the camp as forward-looking: integrating returning internationals, giving opportunities to promising newcomers and ensuring the team is physically prepared for two high-stakes matches.
Key areas to monitor over the camp include Williamson’s minutes and fitness as she builds toward full sharpness, the form and game-readiness of Lauren James and other attackers coming back from injury, and how newly integrated players such as Pattinson and Godfrey adapt to senior international demands. Goalkeeping depth with Hampton, Moorhouse and Roebuck will also be watched closely given recent absences from the squad in 2025.
With qualification for the Brazil tournament on the line, Wiegman’s selection balances the immediate need for results with a longer-term eye on squad resilience. The upcoming fixtures will provide the first meaningful test of that approach.
