Sarina Wiegman addressed the press at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday after naming a 28-player squad to face France, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in England’s EURO2025 qualifying fixtures.
A double-header against France is the first test for the Lionesses, who will make their debut appearance at St James’ Park on May 31 before heading to Saint-Étienne four days later.
They will then host the Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road before facing Sweden in Gothenburg, with those clashes set to take place in July. Wiegman’s 28-player squad will be whittled down to 24 players for each pair of fixtures.
‘Naming a player group of 28 provides us with different options across the four fixtures and is an opportunity for some new faces to impress and build new connections,’ said Wiegman in a press statement.
Aggie Beever-Jones’ impressive club form has been rewarded with a callup, and Wiegman praised the forward’s ‘very great improvement’ in her press conference. ‘She’s doing really well, an open person who really wants to develop every single day on the pitch. I’m just hoping she comes in and goes out on the pitch to play. She can play on the sides, she can play in the centre – I’m looking forward to it.’
Southampton’s Kayla Rendell is the sole Championship representative within the squad, having filled in for an injured Khiara Keating at the last international camp. Wiegman was asked if she had considered including Crystal Palace’s Annabel Blanchard in the squad, but insisted: ‘I didn’t consider that.’
Embed from Getty Images‘We are very closely connected with the U23s and the pathway is underneath that, but I think you have to play in the WSL to be able to step up to international level. There are so many talented players in the Championship, but the step up is huge.’
Liverpool’s Missy-Bo Kearns, Tottenham’s Jessica Naz and Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier round out the standby list, who could be called up for the second group of fixtures in mid-July.
England will also play a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Netherlands in early July as part of a training camp, with players joining the squad at different stages due to their varying club requirements.
A unique calendar prompted questions over the freedom that players may or may not enjoy during the summer, but Wiegman assured reporters that they will be permitted to go on holiday if they so wish.
‘They’re professional players. They know what’s right for them,’ she explained. ‘They can go away, my preference would be to stay in Europe and not go to the other side of the world! I want them to come in fit, be fresh and be ready to start training and ready to compete. I think they’ll make the right decisions.’
Millie Bright’s return to the squad led to debate over who would don the captain’s armband, with Leah Williamson having adopted the responsibility during Bright’s injury-enforced absence – but Wiegman noted that she ‘has to discuss things with the players first.’
‘[Captaincy] is such a big thing here. You’re always on about captaincy – everyone has responsibilities, it’s not just when you wear the armband.’
The squad
Italicised names indicate standby players
GK: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Kayla Rendell
DEF: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan, Millie Turner, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Maya Le Tissier
MID: Grace Clinton, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Missy-Bo Kearns
ATT: Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, Jess Naz