Alisha Lehmann led the way for Switzerland Women as they maintained their perfect start to their 2027 World Cup qualification campaign, securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Malta on Saturday. The Leicester City star scored the all-important second goal as the Swiss completely overpowered their opponents, registering a total of 28 shots.
Some England camps pass by without there being much new to learn; the Lionesses' first camp of 2026 was not one of those. As Sarina Wiegman's side returned to competitive action for the first time since their triumphant European Championship campaign, getting off to a perfect start in qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup with impressive wins over both Ukraine and Iceland, a whole host of talking points were created.
Lucy Bronze continues to cement her legacy as one of the greatest players to ever pull on an England shirt, but the veteran defender remains humble about her remarkable longevity. During the Lionesses' 2-0 victory over Iceland, the 34-year-old earned her 145th international cap, moving her into third place on the all-time appearances list for the women’s national team. It was a vintage performance from the full-back, who contributed both a goal and an assist to secure the win.
The Lionesses continued their dominant run toward European qualification with a commanding performance at the City Ground, though the evening was not without its bizarre moments off the ball. While Sarina Wiegman’s side dismantled a stubborn Icelandic defence, a strange scene unfolded in the stands. Basil, the well-known and vocal England and Chelsea supporter, was unexpectedly escorted from the stadium by security during the match.
Lauren James stole the show as England beat Iceland 2-0 on Saturday, with Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway on the scoresheet as the Lionesses started their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign with two wins from two. After the 6-1 win over Ukraine on Tuesday, this was another dominant performance from Sarina Wiegman's side, setting up next month's clash with world champions Spain perfectly.
Sarina Wiegman has demanded that England hit their "top level" to overcome Iceland side in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier. Despite a recent clinical display against Ukraine, the Lionesses boss has urged her players to maintain tactical discipline and emotional control at a sold-out City Ground.
Alessia Russo's quick-fire brace kickstarted England's 6-1 win over Ukraine on Tuesday, with Georgia Stanway and Jess Park also netting twice to get the Lionesses off to a strong start in qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup. It took Sarina Wiegman's side until the second half to break down a resolute Ukraine defence, but once they did, the result was never in doubt, even if Yana Kalinina grabbed a consolation to temporarily halve the deficit.
Last month, when Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman was asked if there was concern that her contract situation could prove to be a distraction for England ahead of the 2027 Women's World Cup, she was pretty bullish in her answer. "There is no distraction whatsoever," she responded. "Everyone is really focused on this qualification. I haven't heard anyone in my team or staff that has been occupied with that."
Lionesses midfielder Missy Bo Kearns has revealed that she is pregnant with her first child, due in September. Kearns was not included in Sarina Wiegman's squad for England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, described as being unavailable for selection, and the reasons for that have now become clear, after the Aston Villa star and her boyfriend, also a professional footballer, announced the news on social media.
Lionesses star Georgia Stanway has revealed that she is "very close" to signing for her new club after announcing that she will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season. It has been widely reported that the midfielder is primed to return to England and sign for Arsenal, with the confirmation of as much clearly not far away now.
As soon as Jess Park received the ball on the edge of the Atletico Madrid box, Marc Skinner knew. She took one touch, then another to get it out of her feet and set herself up for a perfect strike with her right foot, which would send the ball over the heads of every Atleti defender, out of the reach of goalkeeper Lola Gollardo and into the top corner, giving Skinner's Manchester United an unassailable 5-0 lead on aggregate, one that secured their place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals for the first time.
Lionesses newcomer Poppy Pattinson has revealed that she was on a flight watching Love Island when Sarina Wiegman phoned to give the defender her first senior England call-up. The London City Lionesses star could make her senior international debut next month, as the reigning European champions prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland.
England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck says that representing the Lionesses is "the reason" she is still playing football after suffering a stroke aged just 24 that left her wondering whether she would ever play again. Part of England's Euro 2022-winning squad, the Aston Villa shot-stopper is back in Sarina Wiegman's squad this month after receiving her first full call-up in over two years.
For the first time since triumphing at last summer’s European Championship, the Lionesses are back in competitive action, kickstarting their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign against Ukraine on Tuesday. Four days later, England will then host Iceland, looking for a perfect start as they battle world champions Spain for the group’s only automatic qualifying spot.
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has warned that she would "never" rule out the potential of strike action in order to get a message across regarding players' concerns over the football schedule. It's been a hot topic in women's and men's football in recent years, one the Arsenal star herself has not shied away from discussing, and she has made her feelings clear about the issue again this week.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is confident that the topic of her future with the team will not be a distraction as England begin their bid to qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Wiegman, who has overseen back-to-back European Championship triumphs with the Lionesses, is under contract until the end of next year's tournament and says there is "no update" on any renewal, but that it is not a situation that she believes is concerning her staff or players right now.
Hannah Hampton, Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James are all back in the England squad after missing the Lionesses' final camp of 2025 due to injury, dealing Sarina Wiegman's side a real boost as they cope with some new absentees ahead of the start of qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup. England are without four members of the Euro 2025-winning squad for the upcoming window, including Ella Toone and Beth Mead.
Lionesses star Ella Toone is "probably" going to miss Manchester United's League Cup final clash with Chelsea next month, Red Devils boss Marc Skinner has admitted. The England international has not played since December because of a hip issue and it is unlikely that she is going to recover in time for the showpiece event, meaning she is all-but-ruled out of the Lionesses first camp of 2026, too.
Ella Toone will miss both legs of Manchester United's Champions League play-off clash with Atletico Madrid this month and she is also unlikely to be included in the next England squad, ahead of the Lionesses' 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign beginning against Ukraine in March. The midfielder is recovering from a hip issue that has sidelined her since December.
Turkey’s national team reported over €300,000 worth of jewellery missing from their dressing room after the 2-2 draw against Spain in Seville, triggering a police investigation. A luxury watch and two rings vanished from La Cartuja before being recovered. At least one arrest has been made as authorities work to uncover how the theft took place.
There were emotional scenes at Hampden Park after Scotland secured their qualification for next year's World Cup and it was a particularly poignant moment for Andy Robertson, who took time after the match to pay tribute to late Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who lost his life in a tragic car accident in Spain earlier this year.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has played down concerns about a potential rift between Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal after their heated exchange following El Clasico. The Roja boss insists there is “no strange behaviour” in the squad and confirmed he has spoken to the Barcelona and Real Madrid players, stressing unity ahead of Spain’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
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