Williamson 'wouldn't rule out' strike as England raise alarm over World Cup Qualifiers Schedule
England captain Leah Williamson said she would "never rule out" strike action to press governing bodies over the world cup qualifiers schedule, comments that land as a string of Lionesses return from injury and a pair of qualifiers approach. Her remarks underline growing concern about player overload as England prepare to face Ukraine and Iceland.
Williamson's stance after injury and a long lay-off
Williamson, 28, who has led England to back-to-back European titles, said she would "never rule out" strike action if players felt they were not being heard. She missed five months after Euro 2025 while recovering from knee surgery, returned to action at the start of December, helped Arsenal win the Women's Champions Cup in February and was selected for this month's World Cup qualifiers.
She also missed the 2023 World Cup after sustaining an ACL injury earlier that year and has described the accumulation of matches and less rest as increasing injury risk. Williamson said she has not had conversations about strike plans "right now" but that she would not take the option off the table and still hopes to "collaborate, listen and educate" with the hierarchy.
Injuries across the squad and rehabilitation data
Williamson cited an accumulation of matches as a driver of injuries and said players have been "forthcoming" with training-load and female-health data to stakeholders. She revealed she suffered a calf strain during rehabilitation after her knee surgery.
A number of Lionesses missed games after the Euros, named in this context as Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, Michelle Agyemang, Hannah Hampton, Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, Beth Mead, Ella Toone, Niamh Charles and Chloe Kelly. Lucy Bronze is identified as a Chelsea player in the material provided.
Fixtures, venues and a 10-day break ahead of Ukraine
England's first two World Cup qualifiers are listed as fixtures against Ukraine in Turkey and Iceland in Nottingham next week, with the Ukraine World Cup qualifier set for Hill Dickinson Stadium. Those called up for the squad had earned a 10-day break from competitive games ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.
Williamson described the situation facing the players as "incomprehensible" ahead of the trip to Turkey and said she was glad the fixture was possible while adding that she and her team would "all rather see this fixture be played in Ukraine. " Details about England’s home Women’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on 9 are unclear in the provided context.
Union findings, calls to listen and institutional warnings
Players' union FifPro released a report in November that said last year was the first time since it started collecting data in 2020 that the top 15 players in the world all played 50 games or more in a season. The same union's Shine A Light report is referenced as a forum where Lucy Bronze discussed overloading and underloading.
Midfielder Keira Walsh previously urged governing bodies to "listen to the players" about fixture congestion. The Professional Footballers' Association warned that while the women's game is "going through a period of intense change, " "innovation and calendar expansion cannot come at the expense of player welfare, or we risk repeating mistakes that have already been made in the men's game. " Williamson also praised the FA's welfare work and said Sarina Wiegman is "very passionate" and speaks up for players.
What players are asking for on the world cup qualifiers schedule
Williamson said the main issue players raise is rest periods and aligning governing bodies on how those rest periods are managed. She emphasised that players do not want time off for its own sake, but that rest is part of being a professional footballer and must be prioritised rather than left to players "when we're left to our own devices. " The world cup qualifiers schedule, she suggested, needs attention to prevent accumulation of load and rising injury risk.
