A quintet of Euro 2025 winners have returned to the England squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers, while London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson has earned a first senior call-up.
The Lionesses will take on Ukraine and Iceland as they kickstart their qualification campaign for the 2027 tournament in Brazil, having been drawn in a group that also includes reigning world champions Spain.
Captain Leah Williamson, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, defenders Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood and forward Lauren James – all key parts of the side that beat Spain in the Euros final last summer – are back in the mix after being absent from the experimental squad named by Sarina Wiegman for friendlies with China and Ghana late last year.
Wiegman is still without some familiar names, however, as Niamh Charles, Missy Bo Kearns, Ella Toone and Beth Mead are all unavailable due to injury.
Former Brighton defender Pattinson joined ambitious London City over the summer and the 25-year-old defender has earned a first senior call after previously representing England at all levels up to under-23s.
