England Women‘s head coach Sarina Wiegman has confirmed a 25-player squad for April’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium.
The reigning European champions seek to build on a positive start to their 2025 campaign in League A Group 3, having taken four points from a possible six against Portugal and Spain last month.
A 1-1 stalemate with the Portuguese preceded a 1-0 success over Spain, as the Lionesses avenged their 2023 World Cup final loss to the Iberian giants, and their four-point total has them second in the group, only behind Portugal on a fewer number of away wins.
England firstly host Belgium at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate on April 4, four days before travelling to Den Dreef for the second fixture in their double-header, and Brighton & Hove Albion Women midfielder Fran Kirby will be involved in the next round of matches.
The 31-year-old – who has come up with five goals and two assists in 12 Women’s Super League matches this season – was unavailable for last month’s games on account of a minor knee injury but is one of 25 players included for April’s fixtures.
Kirby recalled as 22-year-old earns first call-up
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Kirby’s Brighton teammate Maisie Symonds is another notable selection, as the 22-year-old Brighton lynchpin earns her first senior call-up following a strong stint with the Under-23 team.
Symonds has made 13 WSL appearances for Brighton this season – setting up one goal – and is one of four uncapped players in the squad alongside Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker and goalkeeping duo Khiara Keating (Manchester City) and Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride).
Household names such as Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Ella Toone and Leah Williamson are also in the ranks, as is Lucy Bronze, who needs two more appearances to overtake Casey Stoney‘s total of 130 caps and move into fifth place in the all-time charts.
“It’s good for us to be back together so quickly after a positive start to this year,” Wiegman told englandfootball.com. “We have a lot we want to achieve in the Nations League and although we are satisfied with our start in the group, there’s much more work to be done to improve our game.
“After two very difficult fixtures against them in 2023 we know the challenge Belgium will pose. We will need to be fully focused and perform at our best to get the two results we are looking for.
“I’m looking forward to getting the players together and continuing the hard work on the grass at St. George’s Park before travelling to Bristol. It will be a pleasure to return back to Ashton Gate, it’s a stadium that brings back happy memories and a crowd who gave us great support in 2023.
“To play in front of a sell-out crowd is not something we will ever take for granted and I’m sure their backing will provide us with the extra energy we need and hopefully help us secure three important points.”
Which England players have not been called up?
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Four players who were called up to February’s squad have been omitted this time around, including Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy, who pulled out last month with a muscular injury sustained in training.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Jessica Naz has also been left out, as have one-cap midfielders Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde Brown, who both made their senior debuts in December.
Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway are also absent due to injury once more.
England Women’s squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (PSG), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), 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), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa) Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jess Park (Manchester City), Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, loan from Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
