England head into Euro 2025 as reigning champions as the Lionesses seek to win a second consecutive European crown. Sarina Wiegman’s side will have to be sharp from their first match in Switzerland, after being drawn alongside France, the Netherlands and Wales in Group D of the July tournament.
England won the Euros on home soil three years ago and then reached the World Cup final the following year, so come into the competition with plenty of major tournament experience. A number of star players from England’s historic triumph will return but there are plenty of new faces competing for their places, too, as well as a couple of major injury concerns.
As it stands, England are preparing to name a 23-player squad for the Euros, although Uefa increased the maximum squad size to 26 ahead of the men’s Euros last summer and may opt to mirror it for the women’s tournament.
While there is still plenty of time before England have to name their squad for the Euros, here’s a look at how Wiegman’s plans are shaping up ahead of their opening match against France in Zurich on Saturday 5 July.
On the plane
Lucy Bronze
Key to setting a winning mentality among the squad, Bronze is set to represent her country at a seventh major tournament. The 33-year-old’s competitive edge is as sharp as ever and she remains England’s first-choice right back.
Leah Williamson
The captain of the Lionesses when they won the Euros, Williamson was forced to sit out of the World Cup after suffering an ACL injury. Now back as skipper, the Arsenal centre-back is a leader off and on the pitch.
Millie Bright
Bright recovered from her own knee injury to stand as England’s defensive rock at the last World Cup. An invaluable presence as England’s vice-captain, who remains key to Chelsea’s dominance domestically.
Keira Walsh
Back in England having signed for Chelsea after a successful two-and-a-half-year spell at Barcelona. Walsh’s ability to set the tempo in midfield helped Barca to back-to-back Champions Leagues titles. On her day, she is one of the best in the world in her position.
Alessia Russo
England’s super-sub in the Euros, who shone as a starter at the World Cup. The Arsenal striker’s record at major tournaments is impressive, with seven goals across her appearances at the Euros and World Cup, and she will lead the line again as No 9 after a brilliant season for the Gunners that saw her win the WSL Golden Boot award.
Ella Toone
A player for the big occasion, with goals in the Euros final and World Cup semi-final. Toone opened up about the difficulty of losing her father last September and her form since on the pitch has been superb.
Beth Mead
England’s golden boot winner in 2022, who then missed the World Cup with an ACL injury. The Arsenal forward has yet to rediscover the heights of that 21/22 campaign since returning from injury but is still an important player for the Lionesses and Wiegman trusts her.
Chloe Kelly
The scorer of the goal that won the Euros has been in sensational form since joining Arsenal on loan and has starred in their run to the Champions League final. Her place looked to be in doubt after being dropped earlier this year, but she has responded in the perfect way.
Grace Clinton
Started against Portugal and Spain in February, and held her own against the world champions at Wembley. A strong, powerful box-to-box midfielder, Clinton is beginning to assert herself in the England side.
Jess Park
One of the breakthrough talents to emerge over the last couple of years, Park is set to appear at her first major tournament. At 23, she has stepped up on a regular basis for Manchester City and has caught the eye on a couple of starts for England with her skill and guile on the ball. She has emerged as a surprise option on the right wing.
Mary Earps
Named the best goalkeeper in the world after her show-stopping performances between the posts at the Euros and World Cup, but no longer an automatic starter. Will definitely be in the squad but Wiegman faces a big decision at No 1.
Hannah Hampton
The Chelsea goalkeeper has come a long way since she was dropped by England after the Euros. Impressive under Emma Hayes and now Sonia Bompastor for the Blues, she has made a claim to be England’s best and was excellent in the 1-0 win over Spain.
Jess Carter
Often an unsung hero in defence, Carter played an important role at the last World Cup due to her versatility and can play in both at the left side of a back three and back four. Wiegman has used Carter as a full back and centre back since the World Cup.
Niamh Charles
The Chelsea full-back started both games against Portugal and Spain and was quietly impressive. Her connection with club team-mate James on the left is a bonus for Wiegman and Charles showed her strengths as a willing runner around the outside and as a recovering defender.
Almost there
Lauren James
Arguably the biggest talent in the squad, James did not play for England for almost 10 months due to injury but showed what they had missed with her performances against Portugal and Spain in February. Wiegman says James had also shown a “massive improvement” in her work off the ball. Suddenly the biggest injury concern in the squad after hurting her hamstring.
Lauren Hemp
A guaranteed starter when she’s fit, offering pace and constant danger as an all-action forward, Hemp returned to the pitch over the final weeks of the season after undergoing surgery on a knee meniscus injury in November, in what is a big boost for the Lionesses.
Georgia Stanway
The Bayern Munich midfielder was named in an England squad for the first time this year ahead of the games against Portugal and Spain. Yet to play a match since December and may not feature in the Nations League, although she is back in training, but her return is important for Wiegman ahead of the Euros.
Alex Greenwood
Arguably England’s best player at the last World Cup and most important defender on her day, even if Bright and Williamson are often selected ahead of her. Greenwood is also back in the squad after returning from injury.
Fran Kirby
The Euros winner and former PFA Player of the Year has not had much luck with injuries after being ruled out of the last World Cup, but is usually selected when she it fit. The emergence of Clinton and Park, along with James and Toone, means Wiegman has options at No 10.
Aggie Beever-Jones
The impressive 21-year-old winger has already racked up 50 appearances for an all-conquering Chelsea side, where she is in constant competition with some of the best in the world. Pacy and direct with an eye for a goal, she is starting to get minutes for England and scored her first for her country against Belgium.
Maya Le Tissier
The 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive season after being named as captain of Manchester United. Le Tissier was close to making the World Cup squad and she has grown as a player since being named on the standby list. Interestingly, Wiegman views Le Tissier as a full-back even though she is a centre-back for her club.
Esme Morgan
Morgan appears to fit Wiegman’s requirements as an adaptable defensive player who can play in multiple positions in the defence, having played at both centre-back and full-back under the England manager.
On the fringes
Michelle Agyemang
Scored on her debut against Belgium after being drafted into the squad as an injury replacement for Alessia Russo. Could go to Switzerland as a back-up striker, with England short of options behind Russo at No 9, and she was selected again for the games against Portugal and Spain.
Lotte Wubben-Moy
A firm favourite at Arsenal, but has been in and out of England squads despite making the final cut for the Euros and the World Cup. Although Wubben-Moy has yet to feature prominently at a major tournament, the centre-back is clearly a personality that Wiegman wants to have around her squad. Missing the end of the season due to injury.
Nikita Parris
The Euros winner made a shock return to the England squad after a two-year absence for the games against Portugal and Spain. The 30-year-old, who is now at Brighton, was given an opportunity while Kelly was out of the picture and Hemp was injured, but her place at the Euros is uncertain now they are both back.
Jessica Naz
The Tottenham winger was given some chances when there were injuries among the forwards but did not take them as finds herself out of the squad ahead of the summer.
Millie Turner
The Manchester United centre-back is not as versatile as some of the other defenders in England’s squad, such as Carter, Morgan and club team-mate Le Tissier, and likely faces a battle with Wubben-Moy to be the fourth-choice centre-back.
Ruby Mace
The 21-year-old is one of those to benefit from the closer pathway between the Under-23s and the senior team, Mace kept her place in the squad for February after making her debut in December. Has clearly caught the eye at the Under-23s and in her first appearance, as well as week to week at Leicester in defensive midfield, although she is versatile too.
Laura Blindkilde Brown
Followed a similar journey to Mace, coming through from the Under-17s to the senior side, and plays in a similar position – so there is a chance one of them makes the final Euros squad. Blindkilde Brown, a holding midfielder, doesn’t get as many minutes at Manchester City but the 21-year-old could be an outside option if there are absences elsewhere.
Lucy Parker
Called up to the squad to face Portugal and Spain after an injury to Lotte Wubben-Moy. “We think she’s a very talented player,” Wiegman said of the Aston Villa defender. “She has been unlucky with injuries. The things we see in her, we think she’s the best one to bring in.”
Gabby George
Could be an option at left-back and has shown good form for Manchester United after making a comeback from an ACL injury. Returned to the England squad last November after a two-year absence but finds herself out of the picture ahead of February’s games.
Khiara Keating
The 20-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper had a breakthrough campaign last season and has featured in England squads without making her senior international debut. This season has been more difficult after high-profile errors in games against Manchester United and Arsenal.
Anna Moorhouse
The Orlando Pride goalkeeper appears to be winning the race to be the third-choice stopper after being named in consecutive squads, having received her first call-up at the age of 29. Yet to make her first appearance, though.
Ellie Roebuck
The former England goalkeeper – who had been challenging for a starting spot with Earps before the last Euros – is looking to rebuild her playing career after recovering from a stroke. The 25-year-old needs minutes, but is now playing for Barcelona and made her debut in December. If she gets a run of games, she may come back into the picture.
England squad to face Portugal and Spain
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Anna Moorhouse, Khiara Keating
Defenders: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Ella Morris, Leah Williamson
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Missy Bo Kearns, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Nikita Parris, Alessia Russo
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