Williamson and James return to England squad for World Cup qualifiers

Leah Williamson and Lauren James are back in the England fold after more than a year on the sidelines, named in Sarina Wiegman’s 25-player squad for the Lionesses’ opening 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland.

The Arsenal captain and Chelsea forward have not appeared for the national team since the Euro 2025 finals, but have been deemed fit enough to rejoin a group that will meet in Turkey on 3 March before returning to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground four days later to face Iceland.

Their recalls headline a selection that also sees goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and defenders Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood return after missing November’s experimental camp, while London City Lionesses full-back Poppy Pattinson has earned a maiden senior call-up.

Wiegman’s options remain stretched by a lengthy casualty list. Arsenal trio Beth Mead, Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, Chelsea left-back Niamh Charles and Aston Villa’s Missy Bo Kearns are all unavailable. The manager has again overlooked Manchester City keeper Khiara Keating, citing concerns over a lack of club minutes, and has instead drafted in Ellie Roebuck to compete with Hampton and Orlando Pride’s Anna Moorhouse.

Despite Williamson having started only once in the Women’s Super League this term, Wiegman is convinced the 27-year-old remains integral. “I’m very happy and it feels very good for her too,” the head coach said. “She’s trained, I’m in close contact with the club, and she’s in a good place. We have time together before the Ukraine game, and I still think these are the best players to call up.”

Wiegman, whose contract runs through the 2027 tournament in Brazil, refused to be drawn on her long-term future, stressing that qualification is the only item on the agenda. “We want to qualify, and the best possible way is to do that in June. We’re going for that, and let’s first do that.”

England’s first step on the road to Brazil begins next month in Antalya, where they will face Ukraine at Mardan Stadyumu on 3 March, before hosting Iceland at the City Ground on 7 March.

England squad Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa) Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotha), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Poppy Pattinson (London City Lionesses), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Chelsea) Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Jess Park (Manchester United), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)