Just a month after finishing as runners-up in the Women’s World Cup final, England will embark on a new journey in a new competition, the UEFA Women’s Nations League with the group stages starting from September 2023. In addition to winning the title, the competition will provide teams a gateway to the Olympics next year and also the World Cup in future. The same groups will also be used for Women’s Euro 2025 qualifications.
With so much to play for in one tournament, the Lionesses will be determined to clinch the silverware at the end. They have been paired in an interesting group as well with rivals Scotland, Belgium and manager Sarina Weigman’s former side Netherlands. The matches will be played in a round-robin format with home and away fixtures. England will have to come first in their group to qualify for the semi-finals of the Women’s Nations League held next year.
England September Squad for Women’s Nations League
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Jess Park (Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Head Coach: Sarina Wiegman
With such a short period after the Women’s World Cup and the league season yet to start in England, it was evident the same squad from the event hosted by Australia and New Zealand will be kept. However, Keira Walsh (calf) and Bethany England (hip) missed out through injury. Lucy Staniforth and Maya Le Tissier, who were on standby list for the Women’s World Cup, have been included in the main squad for the Women’s Nations League.
England September Fixtures for Women’s Nations League
Saturday, 23 September 2023
England vs Scotland - Stadium of Light, Sunderland (00:15)
Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Netherlands vs England - Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht (23:30)
England will open their campaign against rivals Scotland whom they last met in the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The Lionesses won that clash 2-1 at France and will be wishing for nothing different this time. Their next match against Netherlands three days after is the challenging one although they did thrash them 5-1 in the previous encounter. The Dutch though won the last competitive meeting 3-0.
