England captain Leah returns to the squad after an injury layoff

Bengaluru

England captain Leah Williamson is back in the squad for the first time since the country’s Euro 2025 triumph in July, after manager Sarina Wiegman named 25 players on Tuesday for the opening 2027 World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland in March.

Williamson missed England’s games in the second half of 2025 with a knee injury, and the 28-year-old underwent surgery before returning to action for Arsenal at the end of the year.

«I am very happy. It also feels very good for her, she wanted to be back,» Wiegman told reporters. «She has been training. I am in close contact with her and the club. She is in a good place, but she does have a shortage of minutes.»

«I think there are still a number of players who are still building up or have not gotten the minutes we hoped for. That is also why we went with a bigger squad.»

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Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James are also back in the squad after missing the November internationals due to injuries, while London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson has earned a first call-up.

However, Niamh Charles, Missy Bo Kearns, Ella Toone and Beth Mead are sidelined due to injury. Defender Toone is out until the end of March due to a hip problem.

“There are always a few players who are injured and whom we cannot bring in. That is also part of our football life.”

England take on Ukraine in Antalya, Turkey, on March 3 before hosting Iceland at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground four days later. Spain are the other team in Group A3, with England facing the world champions at Wembley in April.

Published on February 17, 2026