Bengaluru
England captain Leah Williamson is back in the squad for the first time since her country’s Euro 2025 triumph in July, after coach Sarina Wiegman named 25 players on Tuesday for their first World Cup 2027 qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland in March.
Williamson missed England’s matches in the second half of 2025 with a knee injury, and the 28-year-old underwent surgery before returning to action for Arsenal at the end of the year.
“I’m very happy. She feels very good too, she wanted to come back,” Wiegman told reporters. “She has trained. I am in close contact with her and with the club. She is in a good place, but she lacks minutes.”
“I think there are a few more players who are still building or who didn’t get the minutes we expected. That’s also the reason why we chose a bigger team.”
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Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James are also back in the squad after missing the November internationals due to injuries, while London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson has earned a first call-up.
However, Niamh Charles, Missy Bo Kearns, Ella Toone and Beth Mead are sidelined through injury. Defender Toone will be out until the end of March with a hip problem.
“There are always a couple of injured players that we can’t bring in. That’s also part of our football life.”
England face Ukraine in Antalya, Türkiye, on March 3 before hosting Iceland four days later at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground. Spain is the other team in Group A3, and England will face the world champions in April at Wembley.
ENGLAND TEAM
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
Posted on February 17, 2026
