Williamson back for World Cup qualifiers as Wiegman denies contract is ‘distraction’

England head coach Sarina Wiegman has dismissed suggestions that the final 17 months of her contract are a distraction after naming Leah Williamson in her first squad of 2026 for next month’s opening 2027 World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland.

Williamson, restored as captain after a long injury lay-off, is joined by fellow Euro 2025 winners Hannah Hampton, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James, while Jess Carter also returns after sitting out the autumn internationals to recover from the NWSL playoffs. Ella Toone, Beth Mead, Niamh Charles and Missy Bo Kearns miss the camp through injury.

England begin their bid to add a first world title to back-to-back European championships on neutral soil in Antalya, Turkey, against Ukraine on 3 March before hosting Iceland at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground four days later. The Lionesses must also navigate a group containing world champions Spain, the side that beat them in the last two major finals.

Wiegman’s current deal expires after the 2027 tournament in Brazil and, asked whether constant questions about her future could unsettle the squad, she replied: “There is no distraction whatsoever. We want to really focus on this qualification. We’re really excited to get started. I haven’t heard anyone in my team or staff that has been occupied with that.”

She added: “No update. It’s pretty far away. We are in conversations all the time and we’re still very happy from both sides. We’re now really focusing on this qualification. We want to qualify and the best possible way is to do that in June.”

Fifa has granted nations an extended window allowing three fixtures, but England have opted for only the two competitive matches. “With the congested agenda and the amount of games the players play so much, we didn’t want to use the third one,” Wiegman explained.

Newcomer Poppy Pattinson (London City Lionesses) receives a first senior call-up, while Ellie Roebuck edges out Khiara Keating among the goalkeepers. The squad also features uncapped forward Freya Godfrey.

England’s schedule Ukraine v England – Mardan Stadium, Antalya, 5pm GMT, Tuesday 3 March England v Iceland – City Ground, Nottingham, 12.30pm GMT, Saturday 7 March

England squad Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa) Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), 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)