It is a weird time to be a fan. Honestly, if you’d told me five years ago that the england ladies team football setup would be the most consistent thing in British sports, I would have laughed. Yet, here we are in early 2026, and Sarina Wiegman’s side is essentially a winning machine that refuses to break.
They just retained the Euros.
In Switzerland last summer, things felt different. It wasn't the "fairytale" of 2022 at Wembley where everything felt like a fever dream. This was colder. More clinical. Watching them dismantle the Netherlands 4-0 in the groups felt like a statement, but the final against Spain? That was pure grit. A 1-1 draw that went to the wire, and then Chloe Kelly—of course, it was her—firing home the winner in the penalty shootout.
The Sarina Wiegman Factor: Why she isn't leaving
There’s a lot of chatter about whether Wiegman has "completed" international football. She’s won three Euros in a row now—one with the Dutch and two with England. People keep asking when she’s going to move to the men’s game or head back to the Netherlands.
Basically, she’s staying. Her contract runs through the 2027 World Cup, and from everything she says, she’s got "unfinished business." That’s a scary thought for the rest of the world.
The way she handles the squad is sorta fascinating. She doesn't just pick the big names. She’s been slowly weaving in this new generation that is, frankly, terrifyingly good. You've got Michelle Agyemang, who is only 19 and already picking up Young Player of the Tournament awards. Then there’s Lucia Kendall. Kendall’s rise has been a whirlwind. She moved to Aston Villa, started bossing the WSL, and then scored on her debut against Ghana at St Mary’s. It’s those kinds of transitions that keep this team from becoming stagnant.
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What's actually happening in 2026?
We are currently at the start of the 2027 World Cup qualifying cycle. The schedule is pretty packed. England is tucked into a group with Spain, Iceland, and Ukraine.
March 2026 is when things kick off properly.
- March 7: England vs Iceland (Home)
- March 11: Ukraine vs England (Away)
Then, the big one. On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, England faces Spain at Wembley.
It’s being billed as a rematch of the Euro 2025 final, and tickets are already becoming impossible to find. Spain is still the world champion from 2023, so there’s a massive amount of pride on the line. It’s not just a qualifier; it’s about proving who really owns the top spot in the FIFA rankings.
The roster shift nobody is talking about
We all love Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright. They are the legends. But look closely at the recent call-ups and you’ll see the england ladies team football identity is shifting.
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Bronze played through the 2025 Euros with a fractured tibia. That’s insane. But she’s 34 now. The emergence of players like Maya Le Tissier and Niamh Charles means the backline is getting a lot faster. In the middle, Keira Walsh is still the brain of the operation, but Grace Clinton and Jess Park are adding a level of creativity that we haven't seen since the early days of Fran Kirby.
It’s also worth noting the retirement of Danielle Carter in January 2026. It’s a reminder that the "old guard" is moving on.
Current Key Players (The 2026 Core):
- Mary Earps / Hannah Hampton: The battle for the #1 shirt is tighter than ever. Hampton has been incredible for Chelsea, but Earps still has that "big game" aura.
- Leah Williamson: The captain. Her ability to spray passes from the back is basically England's secondary playmaker.
- Lauren Hemp: Still probably the best pure winger in the world. She’s 25 now and entering her absolute prime.
- Alessia Russo: She scored the equalizer in the Euro 2025 final. She’s more than a poacher; her link-up play is what makes the whole system work.
The WSL impact
You can't talk about the national team without looking at the Barclays WSL. Manchester City is currently leading the 2025-26 table, followed closely by Chelsea and Arsenal.
The level of competition in the league is why the Lionesses are so fit. Every weekend, players like Georgia Stanway (who is tearing it up at Bayern but stays vital for England) are playing in high-pressure environments. When they show up for international duty, they don’t need a "ramp-up" period. They are already at 100%.
Is "Home" still the goal?
There’s a lot of pressure. Winning back-to-back Euros has put a target on their backs.
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The 2027 World Cup qualifiers are the priority now, but the Nations League is also looming. People get confused by the Nations League format, but basically, it’s how you qualify for the big stuff and keep your ranking high. England’s group is tough, but they’ve shown they can handle the travel and the "hostile" crowds.
One thing that gets overlooked is the Para and Gaming sides. The FA has been pushing the "One England" thing hard lately. The Deaf women’s team has their own Euros in March 2026, and there’s a real sense of a unified pathway. It’s not just about the eleven players on the pitch at Wembley anymore.
What you should do next
If you want to stay on top of the Lionesses' journey this year, here’s how to actually follow along without getting lost in the noise:
- Grab tickets for the Spain game early. Wembley is going to sell out. Check the official England Football site for the Supporters Travel Club updates.
- Watch the U20 World Cup in September. It’s in Poland. This is where you’ll see the next Michelle Agyemang before she becomes a household name.
- Follow the WSL title race. The form of players at Man City and Chelsea right now is going to dictate who starts in the March qualifiers.
The Lionesses aren't just a "ladies team" anymore; they are the standard for English football. Whether they can turn this European dominance into a World Cup win in 2027 starts with these games in 2026. Keep an eye on those March fixtures—they’ll tell us everything we need to know about the squad's hunger.