Sarina Wiegman has named the 23-player squad for England’s decisive UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures against the Netherlands and Scotland.
There is joy for Beth Mead as she returns to the squad from injury for the first-time since November 2022. Midfielder Grace Clinton and goalkeeper Khiara Keating also retain their places after celebrating their first call-ups to the senior squad in October.
With the Nations League group finely poised, the Lionesses will first be in action against the Netherlands on Friday 1 December at Wembley Stadium connected by EE, knowing a win is needed to keep them in the running to top the group. England then conclude the group four days later with a trip to Scotland.
Wembley Stadium is a familiar and happy home for the Lionesses, having triumphed three times there against Germany, the USA and Brazil in the last 18 months. Keen to make amends for a last-minute 2-1 defeat in the Netherlands in September, they will be roared on by a crowd of more than 70,000. With some final tickets still remaining, fans are being encouraged to play their part and continue their tremendous backing of the team.
England’s final fixture of another historic year, which has included reaching their first FIFA Women’s World Cup final and lifting the Finalissima trophy, will see them travel north of the border to face Scotland at Hampden Park. The game is the reverse fixture of the opening match of the Nations League campaign, which England won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland in September.
Wiegman said: “We know we’ll need to win our last two games of 2023 and we’ll give everything we have for that outcome. This group have shown resilience and strength of character time and time again and I have absolutely no doubts we’ll be ready to go when the whistle blows for both fixtures.
“We always embrace the opportunity to play at Wembley, it’s been home to some of our biggest and happiest occasions. We’ll need the crowd to play their part and continue the incredible backing they’ve shown for the team. They’ve always been there when we need them and we’ll need them once again.
“An away fixture against Scotland is also an occasion we’ll all look forward to, but we’ll take it one game at a time.”
The Nations League is set to go to the wire with just three points separating Netherlands, Belgium and England.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur, loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal) Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Match Tickets
England v Netherlands – Friday 1 December, Wembley Stadium – Get tickets
Scotland v England – Tuesday 5 December, Hampden Park – Get tickets
