+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
England

England news

Chloe Kelly England Women 2026

Lionesses' World Cup qualifying path confirmed in play-off draw

England will face Greece in the first round of Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs in October, having failed to secure direct entry into next summer's tournament. Defeat to Spain in June proved extremely costly for the Lionesses, allowing the world champions to top the qualifying group instead, and now Sarina Wiegman's side must navigate two rounds of two-legged play-offs instead, starting against Greece.

Sweden v England - UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Quarter-Final

Kelly, Russo & James among six Lionesses awarded MBEs

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.

Manchester United Women v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3

Earps confirms PSG exit as ex-Man Utd 'keeper nears WSL return

Former England international Mary Earps will officially leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer upon the expiration of her contract on June 30. Following a two-season stint in the French capital, the 33-year-old goalkeeper is reportedly closing in on a return to the Women’s Super League, with Michele Kang’s ambitious London City Lionesses emerging as her most likely destination.

Beth Mead Georgia Stanway England Women 2025

Who are the Lionesses' all-time top goalscorers?

England's Lionesses have always had great goalscorers. Even before the team was the major contender it is now, winning back-to-back European Championships under Sarina Wiegman and reaching a first Women's World Cup final, they could boast some incredible attacking talent, with Arsenal icon Kelly Smith, widely considered the Lionesses' greatest ever player, a prime example.

Georgia Stanway England HIC

James & Stanway shine but Lionesses set for WWC play-offs

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 Women gfx 16:9

What World Cup play-offs mean for wounded Lionesses

It was all there for England on Friday, as they faced Spain in Mallorca with automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup on the line. Avoid defeat and the Lionesses would punch their ticket to Brazil, forcing one of their biggest rivals for next summer’s title to have to navigate the play-offs. It was a huge opportunity, but one they spurned in incredible circumstances, suffering a 4-0 loss that stands out as the biggest for this team under Sarina Wiegman.

Lucy Bronze England Euro 2025 trophy

Who are the Lionesses' most capped players?

England women's national team has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years, winning the European Championships in 2022 and 2025 while also reaching the 2023 Women's World Cup final, and those involved in those successes in Sarina Wiegman's side are now starting to creep into the record books when it comes to caps, as well as trophies.

Bronze England Spain GFX

Lionesses humbled by Spain in heaviest defeat of Wiegman era

England are on the brink of having to navigate the play-off route in Women's World Cup qualifying after a 4-0 defeat to Spain, the Lionesses' worst result under Sarina Wiegman, put La Roja in pole position for the group's one automatic berth instead. England flew to Mallorca knowing that a draw would be enough to secure their spot at the tournament in Brazil next summer but goals from Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas and Claudia Pina saw them leapfrogged in the table by their hosts, with one game to go.

Ona Batlle Lauren James Laia Aleixandri Spain England Women 2025

Wiegman confirms James fit for Spain clash

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.

England Spain Women gfx 16:9

Beat Spain & Lionesses would be World Cup favourites

England and Spain have got used to playing some pretty big games against each other in recent times. Friday's World Cup qualifying clash might not be as big as last summer's European Championship final or the 2023 World Cup final, but it is still huge, with it to potentially decide which of these two powerhouses qualifies automatically for next summer's tournament in Brazil, with the other to have to navigate the play-offs.

Ella Toone England gfx 16:9

Toone's Lionesses return could not have come at a better time

Ella Toone's last involvement in an England shirt was a memorable one. At Wembley, in front of almost 75,000 fans, the Manchester United star racked up a trio of assists, and added a goal of her own, in an 8-0 thrashing of China as the Lionesses paraded their European Championship trophy across the nation. Now, for the first time in 2026, she is back with her country and is primed to provide a timely boost ahead of Friday's blockbuster clash with Spain.

Reece James England 2025

Why James hasn’t looked to sister Lauren for ‘winning’ advice

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.

Chelsea FC v Liverpool - Barclays Women's Super League

Is Chelsea star James injured? Lionesses get fitness update

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.

Khiara Keating Man City GFX

'Learned to be ready' - Keating on FA Cup heroics as Wembley looms

Man City's FA Cup hero Khiara Keating has reflected on an up-and-down season as she prepares to make her Wembley debut this weekend. The England goalkeeper has struggled for opportunities in the Women's Super League but has been ever-present in the FA Cup, with a huge save in the dramatic semi-final win over Chelsea helping to secure City's place in Sunday's final against Brighton, where the 21-year-old will hope to make her mark again.

Argentina v Venezuela - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Who has the most assists in World Cup history?

Which player has the most assists in World Cup history ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada? The tournament has been graced by some of the most mercurial players to ever play the game, but which of them have laid on the most goals for their team-mates? And could there be a new assists king come the end of the summer?

Fran Kirby Brighton gfx 16:9

Lionesses icon Kirby still thriving as Brighton eye FA Cup glory

Fran Kirby's achievements throughout her career to date make for remarkable reading. Part of the Lionesses side which beat Germany in the European Championship final at Wembley back in 2022, the 32-year-old also lifted 16 major honours during her incredible nine-year stay at Chelsea, with individual accolades galore coming in and amongst all of that. She was there for England's first major title and Chelsea's first major title; now, in Brighton colours, Kirby will hope she can help another ambitious side hit new heights.

Millie Bright Chelsea Women's FA Cup 2024-25

Chelsea captain & ex-Lioness Bright announces retirement

Chelsea captain and former Lionesses star Millie Bright has announced her immediate retirement from football, following on from her international retirement earlier this season. Bright has spent the last 12 years with the Blues, winning 20 trophies, and hangs up her boots as an eight-time Women's Super League champion, the division's all-time record appearance holder and a European Championship winner.

Missy Bo Kearns Aston Villa Women 2025-26

Kearns explains how Villa doctor saved her life amid miscarriage

England international Missy Bo Kearns has opened up on her devastating miscarriage for the first time and revealed how the medical team at Aston Villa "saved my life" as she was given a "shock" sepsis diagnosis. The Lionesses midfielder announced that she was pregnant with her first child back in March and has now sat down for a lengthy interview on the heartbreak that has occurred since, hoping it will help others.

Alyssa Thompson, USWNT

USWNT remain No. 2 in latest FIFA Women's World Rankings

There has been a shake-up among the leaders in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking. England moved up one place, while Spain and the United States held on to the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. Germany, meanwhile, slipped to fourth, highlighting continued movement among the top teams in the world.