The Lionesses make their long-awaited return to Wembley Stadium this Saturday for an international friendly against China, marking their first appearance at the national stadium since lifting the Euro 2025 trophy.
Match Details and How to Watch
The England vs China match kicks off at 5:30pm GMT on Saturday 29 November. The fixture is being held at the iconic Wembley Stadium, offering fans a chance to welcome home the European champions.
For those unable to attend in person, the action will be broadcast live on ITV 1, with coverage beginning at 5pm. Supporters can also stream the match via the ITV X platform.
Team News and Wiegman's Experiment
England manager Sarina Wiegman is planning to use this match, and the subsequent fixture, to experiment with her squad. With several key players unavailable, it's a chance for others to stake their claim.
Keira Walsh will captain the side in the absence of other senior figures. The squad has been hit by a number of absences, including Hannah Hampton, who is ruled out for a few weeks with a quad injury. Lauren James, Leah Williamson, Michelle Agyemang, Alex Greenwood, and Jess Carter are also unavailable.
There is a positive return for Lauren Hemp, who is back in the squad for the first time since Euro 2025 after recovering from injury. Wiegman has also handed a first senior call-up to forward Freya Godfrey. Goalkeeper Sophie Baggley, defenders Anouk Denton, Grace Fisk, and Taylor Hinds, and midfielder Lucia Kendall all retain their places from last month's camp.
Historical Context and Looking Ahead
This friendly serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, where England have been drawn in the same group as Spain, their opponents from the dramatic Euro 2025 final.
The last time these two nations met was in the group stages of the 2023 World Cup, where England secured an emphatic 6-1 victory in Adelaide, a match that saw Lauren James deliver a standout performance.
This match at Wembley represents more than just a friendly; it's the next step in the Lionesses' journey as they build towards future tournaments, offering a glimpse of the team's evolving depth and strategy under Wiegman's leadership.
