Six stellar members of England’s triumphant UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 squad have been officially awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours List for 2026. The prestigious royal accolades recognise their magnificent back-to-back European title defence in Switzerland alongside significant contributions to football, capping an incredible cycle of success for the national setup.
England will have to navigate the play-offs in order to reach the 2027 Women's World Cup, with Tuesday night's 3-0 win over Ukraine not enough to secure top spot in their qualifying group. The Lionesses went into the game knowing they needed a favour from Iceland against Spain, after La Roja thumped Sarina Wiegman's side on Friday, and they didn't get it, rendering their own victory meaningless in the chase for the sole automatic berth available.
England have received a significant injury boost ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Spain, with Sarina Wiegman confirming that Lauren James is fit and ready to feature. The Lionesses travel to Mallorca knowing that avoiding defeat will officially punch their ticket to the 2027 tournament in Brazil with over a year to spare.
As Reece James prepares to lead England's defensive line at the upcoming World Cup, the 26-year-old is determined to finally make his mark on the global stage after the heartbreak of missing out on Qatar 2022. While his sister, Lauren James, has already tasted international success with the Lionesses, the Blues skipper insists he has his own blueprint for success.
England will be without Leah Williamson for Friday's huge Women's World Cup qualifying clash with Spain, after the Lionesses captain pulled out of Sarina Wiegman's squad on Monday. It's a major blow for the European champions and one of two withdrawals they are having to deal with, all while Lauren James' fitness is in doubt.
England fans are facing a nervous wait over the fitness of Lauren James after the Chelsea superstar was a notable absentee from the World Sevens Football final. Despite her team-mates lifting the trophy at the Gtech Community Stadium, the forward's lack of involvement has sparked immediate concern for the Lionesses ahead of their critical clash with Spain.
And so another Women's Super League season is in the books. After six years of dominance by Chelsea, this was one that shook things up, too, as Manchester City claimed a first title in 10 years and Arsenal, the last team to win the trophy before this past season, proved to be the side that ran them closest.
Sam Kerr wrote her name into Chelsea's history books yet again on Sunday, as she kickstarted a comfortable 3-1 win over Leicester City that confirmed the Blues will be playing Champions League football again next season. Sonia Bompastor's side only needed a point to secure a top-three finish after Manchester United's slip-up against Brighton on Saturday, but they delivered all three in a dominant display against the Women's Super League's bottom side, with Lauren James bagging a sparkling brace after Kerr became the club's all-time top-scorer in the competition.
Since their meeting in the quarter-finals of the 2022 European Championships, England have faced no opponent more frequently than Spain - and yet, Lauren James has only featured as a fully fit starter in one of those encounters. Fittingly, given the form the Chelsea star is in and the prominent role she is likely to play when the pair meet again on Tuesday, that was last year at Wembley, the setting again for the next installment of this growing rivalry.
England's qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup is officially underway. The Lionesses started it with a 6-1 win over Ukraine on Tuesday and will continue their quest to secure a place in Brazil when hosting Iceland on Saturday. As runners-up in 2023, few would not expect Sarina Wiegman's side to achieve as much, but who the manager will choose to represent the European champions in South America is a little less certain.
Chelsea forward Lauren James insists she should be credited with two goals following a frantic 4-3 victory over Aston Villa in the Women's Super League. Despite official match records awarding her just one strike in the seven-goal thriller, the England international is adamant about adding another to her tally as the Blues moved up to second in the table.
Chelsea's dreams of winning a first-ever Women's Champions League title hang by a thread after losing 3-1 to rivals and holders Arsenal in the first leg of their quarter-final. Both sides' flailing Women's Super League campaigns means the importance of their European exploits have only increased, and it is the Gunners who hold the advantage heading into next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Lauren James' brilliance took centre stage as Chelsea retained the Women's League Cup on Sunday, the England international once again coming back to haunt Manchester United as her goal was backed up by Aggie Beever-Jones' opportunistic finish to give the Blues a 2-0 win and the first piece of silverware of the season. In a tight game of few chances, James' clinical touch looked set to prove decisive before Beever-Jones made sure of the win in the latter stages, rounding off a remarkable effort from a Chelsea side plagued by injuries.
Chelsea have been handed a massive boost by Lauren James extending her stay until 2030, hours after her brother and men's team captain Reece signed a new long-term deal until 2032. This historic double commitment ensures the James siblings remain central to the club’s ambitions, marking a monumental day for the Blues' present and future success.
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.
Chelsea star Lauren James has opened up about the public scrutiny regarding her personality and the "lazy" labels often attached to her playing style. James insists that her laid-back nature is a reflection of her introverted character rather than a lack of professional desire.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
