England squad named to face Portugal and Spain

Sarina Wiegman has named a 24-player England squad for this month’s UEFA Women’s Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain to start another big year.

An exciting schedule begins with a trip to the Algarve to face Portugal on Friday 21 February (KO 7.45pm GMT), before the European champion Lionesses welcome the FIFA World Cup holders Spain to Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Wednesday 26 February (KO 8pm GMT). Tickets are still available for this game. 

There is a return to the group for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Nikita Parris for the first time since November 2022.

And Chelsea duo Niamh Charles and Lauren James both return following injury, having not played for England since July and April of last year respectively.

After making their debuts in December, both Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace retain their places in the squad while Ella Toone is included having been injured for the last camp.

Georgia Stanway joins Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp in missing out with injury.

Reflecting on the matches to come, Wiegman said: “These are two big games to start 2025. It is exciting that we have the chance to write a new chapter in our story in the months ahead, especially with the EURO this summer, but we will focus first on what is right in front of us and a very important Nations League campaign.

“Portugal are getting stronger all the time and it will be good for us to get a week’s training together in what we hope will be great conditions, both on and off the pitch, before we play.

“I’m expecting a high-level game, and it is also good to experience a different environment in our first match abroad since last summer.

“We then have another special occasion at Wembley against Spain. I’m sure we will get great support, and we can’t wait to see our fans again. Hard work during the week and our performances in these two matches can give us a strong foundation for a big year ahead.”

After the February camp, England have further fixtures ahead of them in their Nations League group before they start the hunt for another UEFA EURO title with the 2025 edition in Switzerland this July.

All four teams in group A3 have qualified for this summer’s finals.

April sees a double-header against Belgium including a home match in Bristol on 4 April and an away fixture four days later.

The group campaign concludes with the return fixtures against Portugal, at Wembley Stadium again, and in Spain on 30 May and 3 June respectively. The group winners will qualify for the Nations League knockout stage.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Ruby Mace (Leicester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)

Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Nikita Parris (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)