Eight-and-a-half months after their dramatic Euro 2025 final, England and Spain meet again on Tuesday at Wembley in a Women's World Cup qualifier. The Lionesses edged Spain 2-1 in Basel last summer, but the reigning champions arrive with a refreshed squad under new head coach Sonia Bermúdez.
Spain have won the Nations League since replacing Montse Tomé with Bermúdez and remain unbeaten since the Euros, with five wins and a draw in six matches. England head coach Sarina Wiegman acknowledged the evolution: 'They have some other players, but their DNA stays the same. They really want to have the ball and play very dynamically.'
Young talents like Atlético Madrid's Fiamma Benítez and Barcelona's Vicky López are emerging, while established stars Aitana Bonmatí (broken leg) and Laia Aleixandri (ACL surgery) are absent. England captain Leah Williamson is an injury doubt with a hamstring issue, but trained on Monday.
England must replace injured midfielder Ella Toone, with Jess Park likely to start alongside Alessia Russo, Lauren James, and Lauren Hemp. Keira Walsh is set to earn her 100th cap, with Wiegman praising her 'enormous vision and game understanding.'
