England's Lionesses have been forced into two changes for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, with captain Leah Williamson and goalkeeper Khiara Keating ruled out due to injury and concussion respectively. Liverpool captain Grace Fisk and Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley have been called up by Sarina Wiegman to fill their places.
Injury setbacks
Williamson, who has been undergoing a rehabilitation programme, is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Keating suffered a concussion in training last week, forcing her to miss Manchester City's FA Cup triumph on Sunday. Keating will remain with City to follow return-to-play protocols, though she could still be fit for the latter of England's two crucial fixtures.
New faces in the squad
Fisk, the Liverpool captain, has received several call-ups since her first in February 2020 but remains uncapped. Brighton's Baggaley is also familiar with the England camp, having first been selected a decade ago.
Pivotal fixtures ahead
The Lionesses, who convened at St George's Park on Monday, face Spain in Palma on June 5, followed by a clash with Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on June 9. These matches are pivotal for direct qualification to next year's World Cup in Brazil, with only the top team from each "A" group progressing automatically. England currently boast a flawless record, leading their group with 12 points, three clear of second-placed Spain, while Ukraine are yet to register a point.
England will be hoping to book their place at the 2027 World Cup in the coming days after coming so close to glory three years ago in Australia. Wiegman's side reached the final, only to be denied by Spain in the showpiece event. They gained a measure of revenge at last year's Euros by beating Spain on penalties to retain their European Championship title they won three years earlier when they edged past Germany in the final at Wembley.
England have kicked on again since their second successive Euros triumph to put themselves in pole position to qualify for the World Cup, but they still have work to do. Their task has now been made even more difficult following the news that they will be taking on Spain without their influential captain.
