Leah Williamson has been left out of the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, with Sarina Wiegman managing the defender's minutes as she returns from injury. The Lionesses face crucial matches against Spain and Iceland, aiming to finish top of their group and avoid playoffs for a spot at the 2027 World Cup.
Williamson's absence opens the door for Lotte Wubben-Moy, who has impressed in recent outings. The Arsenal centre-back replaced Williamson in the second half against Iceland and has shown she is more than a squad player. Esme Morgan has also stepped up since her move to Washington Spirit, while Alex Greenwood has been shifted to left-back to fill a gap in defence.
England's performances have been mixed but effective. They secured a disciplined win over Spain at Wembley, using a counter-attacking blueprint that conceded possession and forced Spain central. However, they struggled against a physical Iceland side in Reykjavík, needing a scrappy 1-0 win to maintain their perfect qualifying record.
Hannah Hampton has been a key figure, producing crucial saves in both qualifiers. Wiegman praised her as a 'world-class goalkeeper' but acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with increased visibility of the women's game. Hampton's form raises questions about how to give minutes to back-up options like Ellie Roebuck, Anna Moorhouse, and Khiara Keating.
Alessia Russo has also stepped up, with a brilliant assist against Spain and a fine finish against Iceland. The Arsenal forward's versatility has been a weapon for England as they push to top the group and avoid the playoffs.
