Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty in England’s victory over Spain at the 2025 European Championship in July, will captain Sarina Wiegman’s squad for two friendlies this month as the Dutch coach looks ahead to the 2027 World Cup.
Defender Lucy Bronze is also back after revealing she played the Women’s European Championship with a broken leg, while captain Leah Williamson and forwards Lauren Hemp and Lauren James remain sidelined with injuries.
England host South American champions Brazil in their first of four “Homecoming Series” matches on October 25 in Manchester before facing Australia in Derby on October 28.
Wiegman said she took a few weeks off after the European Championships before switching her focus to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
READ ALSO: England’s Millie Bright retires from international football
«If you stand still, you are lost. The players know that,» she said at a press conference on Tuesday.
«You always think a little further ahead. The next goal is to qualify for the World Cup and then go to the World Cup. There are still 10 camps for the World Cup.»
«We also look at other countries, what are the trends, what are the playing styles. But also what do we want to work on.»
Wiegman named her squad a day after centre-back Millie Bright announced her retirement from international football after nine years and 88 appearances.
“I wanted her to be available, yes of course,” Wiegman said of the Chelsea defender. “Before the European Championships she wasn’t ready and she had to get things in order.
«She is still a very good player. I wanted her to be in the squad. But I fully respect and understand the decision she is making for her life.»
Katie Reid, Taylor Hinds and Lucia Kendall all received their first senior call-ups. The 19-year-old Reid has been impressive in place of the injured Williamson at Arsenal this season.
They are England’s first games since beating Spain in a penalty shootout in Switzerland to claim back-to-back European titles.
England selection for matches in Brazil and Australia
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse
Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Taylor Hinds, Katie Reid, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown, Missy Bo Kearns, Lucia Kendall, Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
Forward: Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo
Published on October 14, 2025
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