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World Cup Qualification UEFA

World Cup Qualification UEFA news

Lionesses winners & losers GFX

Winners & losers from the Lionesses key WWC qualifiers

Advantage, England. This international break was always going to feel decisive in the race between the Lionesses and Spain to secure the only automatic qualification spot for next year’s Women’s World Cup available in this cut-throat qualifying group, and it was the reigning European champions, rather than the world champions, who came out on top.

Winners & LosersEngland
Iceland v England - FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Qualifier

Wiegman warns England after Iceland win

Sarina Wiegman has issued a stern warning to her England squad, insisting there is no room for complacency despite a hard-fought victory over Iceland. The Lionesses maintained their perfect start to World Cup qualifying, but the head coach is under no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead on the road to Brazil.

S. WiegmanEngland
Alessia Russo England Women 2026

Russo scores again as Hampton makes sure of Lionesses win

Alessia Russo's clinical finish and Hannah Hampton's world-class goalkeeping allowed England to maintain their perfect record in Women's World Cup qualifying on Saturday, as the Lionesses edged to a nervy 1-0 win over Iceland. Sarina Wiegman's side were coming into the game fresh off the back of a huge win over Spain at Wembley and they preserved their lead at the top of the group with another three points, even if it was far from convincing at times.

Player ratingsEngland
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Leah Williamson England Women 2026

Williamson injury update provided ahead of Lionesses' Iceland clash

England boss Sarina Wiegman has provided an update on the fitness of Lionesses captain Leah Williamson, who missed the win over Spain on Tuesday night. Wiegman was hopeful that the Arsenal star would be able to play a part in Saturday's clash with Iceland, as England continue their World Cup qualifying campaign, and the status of her availability has now been revisited ahead of that crucial game.

L. WilliamsonEngland
Hannah Hampton England gfx 16:9

England hero Hampton proves class is permanent

As the clock ticked into the 90th minute at Wembley on Tuesday evening, England were under the most pressure they had been all game. Having taken the lead with less than three minutes played, through Lauren Hemp's acrobatic effort, the Lionesses had done well to prevent Spain really putting them under the cosh, creating most of the better opportunities for themselves instead. However, in the dying moments, they would need Hannah Hampton, their world-class goalkeeper, to come up with something big.

Women's footballEngland

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FBL-WC-2027-WOMEN-QUALIFIERS-ENG-ESP

'Hurry up!' - Hemp left on edge by VAR review against Spain

Lauren Hemp was the hero at Wembley as early as the third minute, but the Manchester City winger admitted she was sweating over whether her decisive strike had actually crossed the line. The Lionesses secured a vital 1-0 victory over world champions Spain in their 2027 World Cup qualifying clash, moving three points clear at the top of Group A3.

EnglandL. Hemp
Lauren Hemp England Women 2026

Lionesses get another vital win over Spain as Hemp delivers

Lauren Hemp's early strike gave England yet another win over Spain on Tuesday night, the Lionesses emerging 1-0 victors in their first meeting with La Roja since last summer's European Championship final. England were winners on that occasion, on penalties, and they came out on top again here as their third victory in their last four encounters with the world champions gave them a notable advantage in a cut-throat World Cup qualifying group.

Player ratingsEngland

Frequently asked questions

Since the Conference League's inception in 2021, three teams have lifted the trophy: Roma, West Ham United, and the current champions, Olympiacos.

The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format.

Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Gent captain Sven Kums have made 39 appearances each in the Conference League, making them the players with the most appearances in the competition.

As for top goalscorers, Arthur Cabral leads the list with 21 goals to his name, including those scored in the qualifying phase. However, without taking into account goals scored in the qualifying phase, three players have scored the joint-most goals in Conference League with 12 each to their names: Arthur Cabral, Eran Zahavi, and Vangelis Pavlidis.

Darian Males, Gavriel Kanichowsky, and Cristiano Biraghi have the most assists in Conference League history, registering eight assists each.

Veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while playing for Villarreal in 2023, became the oldest player to feature in the Conference League at 40 years and 175 days.

Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi holds the record as the Conference League's youngest-ever player at the tender age of 16 years and 3 days.

Stars such as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins,Co Mario Gotze, Kasper Schmeichel, Cody Gakpo, Stephan El Shaarawy, James Maddison, Jonathan David, and Edin Dzeko have played in the Conference League.

Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery, David Moyes, and Ange Postecoglou are among the most famous managers to have managed in the Conference League.

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