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Williamson returns for World Cup qualifiersImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Leah Williamson became the first England captain to win two major trophiesByEmma Sanders
England captain Leah Williamson returns to the squad for the first time since Euro 2025 as they prepare to begin their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Williamson, 28, missed England’s friendly victories over China, Ghana and Australia as well as their defeat by Brazil at the end of 2025 due to a knee injury.
The Arsenal defender had surgery after lifting England’s second successive European title in July and returned to action at the start of December.
“I’m very happy. It feels really good for her too. She has trained lots and I’m in close contact with her and the club,” mentioned manager Sarina Wiegman.
“There are more players who are still building and that is one of the reasons why we went with a bigger squad.”
Several big names return to the squad including Chelsea forward Lauren James, Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
James, 24, was absent for four months with an ankle injury before returning in November and is now back to full fitness.
She impressed in Sunday’s win over Liverpool and boosts Wiegman’s attacking options with Arsenal’s Beth Mead out with a fractured shin.
Greenwood, 32, missed the start of the season with a knee injury while Hampton had a thigh issue which ruled her out of the November camp.
There is a first senior call-up for London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson, while uncapped 20-year-old Freya Godfrey retains her place in the squad.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck also earns a recall, with Manchester City’s Khiara Keating dropping out of the squad.
“[Roebuck] came in the last camp of course because we had some injuries. She has got some minutes [with Villa] so it’s really good to see her back, see her happy and being available. She is playing and training fully,” added Wiegman.
“Keating will be with the under-23s. We all know she is a very talented goalkeeper. I had big concerns about her playing minutes over this last season.
“It’s a long period of time. There is also competition with the other goalkeepers.”
Gotham FC defender Jess Carter is back after she was given time to recover from the conclusion of the National Women’s Soccer League play-offs in November.
England are without Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, who is out with a hip injury until the end of March.
Bay FC defender Anouk Denton, 22, who made her debut as a late substitute in December, is not included in the squad.
The Lionesses travel to Turkey to face Ukraine on Tuesday, 3 March (17:00 GMT) before hosting Iceland at the City Ground on Saturday, 7 March (12:30).
They are the first competitive games since England’s success in Switzerland and they will meet reigning world champions Spain later in their qualifying group.
There are eight international windows before England hope to travel to Brazil for the World Cup between 24 June and 25 July 2027.
“It’s a new year with new objectives as we start our qualification journey with these two very important fixtures against Ukraine and Iceland,” mentioned Wiegman.
“This is new opposition for this England team, so that’s exciting too. I am looking forward to being back with the squad and getting back to work.”
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), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), Poppy Pattinson (London City Lionesses), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Keira Walsh (Chelsea), Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendell (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Lauren James (Chelsea), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Jess Park (Manchester United)
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