

Lauren James has been recalled for Sarina Wiegman’s 23-player England squad for their title defence at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
Brighton forward, Nikita Parris has been dropped from the squad after Chelsea’s James recovered from a hamstring injury to earn her place in the squad, albeit at Parris’ expense.
In a press conference following the squad announcement, Wiegman iterated that James’ selection is “not a risk” given her training progress with Chelsea, and is hopeful that she can go straight into training when she joins up with the squad.
“She keeps progressing and hopefully, when she comes into camp, she can go into training with us and keep progressing towards the first game on the 5 July. We don’t see it as a risk, we’re just building her.”
Aggie Beever-Jones and Michelle Agyemang will be part of England’s squad at a major tournament for the first time in their young careers at 21 and 19-years-old respectively.
Agyemang’s inclusion in particular came as a surprise given that she only received her first senior call-up in April, but Wiegman defended her decision in her press conference by pointing to Agyemang’s debut goal away to Belgium.
“She brings something different. We’re really strong up front and so many different qualities. We all remember her goal against Belgium. ”
Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo will also be part of the forward selection, although this is Mead’s first major summer tournament since she missed the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Wiegman will be without Mary Earps following the latter’s international retirement but she has opted to retain her current goalkeeping selection of; Hannah Hampton, Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating.
This tournament will mark Hampton’s first major finals competition as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, whilst Moorhouse and Keating are making their debuts at such a prestigious tournament.
Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan and Lotte Wubben Moy will lead the defensive line alongside captain, Leah Williamson,
Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier meanwhile has earned her first international tournament call-up, with Millie Bright having opted not to be part of the squad for personal reasons.
In midfield, Fran Kirby has retired from international football after Wiegman left her out of the squad, whilst Missy Bo Kearns is the other midfielder who has been omitted from the selection who featured in recent Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain.
Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh will make up the midfield selection, with Clinton and Park set for their first major senior international tournament for England.
When questioned about her light midfield selection, Wiegman felt that she can tweak things and play some players out of position if needed, with Williamson and Charles in defence having previous midfield experience.
“We have to announce it as forwards, defenders, midfielders but I think we can move things around, with some players in different positions. So on this paper, it looks like we’re not so in-depth but in the team, we are enough in-depth in midfield.”
Wiegman described her squad selection as “exciting” for players and fans and believes that she has picked a squad capable of defending the title, although she acknowledged those who missed out.
“They will all give everything to help us make the country proud. This group is a very well-balanced mix of players with multiple tournaments on their CVs and also those that will make their tournament debuts. I am excited to see what we are capable of this summer.
“At the same time, I do feel for those that have just missed out. I can only name 23 but there are more players who have been so important to us on our journey to Switzerland. We would not be here without them.”
The former Netherlands boss also addressed her approach to selecting 23 players following extensive considerations and analysis during the Nations League campaign.
“You always want to pick a little bit more because players in their environment have done well. But in the end you have to make those decision, which for 23 players is good, and for some players is disappointing.
“We’ve seen the team a lot over the last week, and the last months, so it’s done now.”
England’s title defence will commence on Saturday 5 July against France in Group D at Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich at 9pm CEST (8pm BST), before they meet the Netherlands at the same venue on Wednesday 9 July at 6pm CEST (5pm BST).
Wiegman’s Lionesses will then conclude their group stage of the campaign against Wales on Sunday 13 July at Arena St Gallen, St Gallen, in a 9pm CEST (8pm BST) kick-off, where they could well need a win to secure a Quarter-Final spot depending on the results in their first two games.
ITV will broadcast England’s games against France and Wales on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK – alongside a friendly against Jamaica on 29 June (5pm BST), whilst BBC will broadcast the clash against Netherlands in a shared broadcasting deal between both UK broadcasters.
Goalkeepers – Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City) Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
Defence – Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (NJ/NY Gotham), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfield – Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards – Michelle Agyemang (Brighton – on loan from Arsenal), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal – on loan from Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessio Russo (Arsenal)