Sarina Wiegman has admitted she is yet to decide who will be England's first-choice goalkeeper at this summer's European Championship, with Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton both vying for the position. The Lionesses manager named her squad for April's Women's Nations League double-header against Belgium, which includes four goalkeepers: Earps, Hampton, Khiara Keating, and Anna Moorhouse.
Earps, 32, has 53 caps and was a key figure in England's 2022 Euro triumph and 2023 World Cup final run, earning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Hampton, 24, has 11 caps and started in February's win over world champions Spain. 'They're both world class,' Wiegman said. 'They both bring a little bit different things, but that makes it really hard. We haven't decided.'
The squad also sees the return of fit-again Brighton forward Fran Kirby and Arsenal's Beth Mead, while Chelsea's Maisie Symonds receives her first call-up due to midfield injuries. Tottenham's Jessica Naz misses out, with Wiegman noting she was 'close for selection'.
Regarding ongoing bonus negotiations with the Football Association, Wiegman said she is not directly involved but expressed optimism: 'From what I've heard, we're going in the right direction. I hope we get to an agreement very quickly because that brings calmness before a tournament.'
Wiegman also voiced concerns about the newly launched World Sevens Football series, a women's seven-a-side competition starting in Portugal in May. While acknowledging potential short-term benefits for player preparation, she questioned its long-term place in the calendar: 'In the longer term I don't see how we can fit that in the schedule.'
England host Belgium at Ashton Gate in Bristol on 4 April before travelling to Leuven's Den Dreef stadium on 8 April.
