England’s aim next year is a simple one – to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Brazil.
They have been drawn in a qualifying group alongside 2023 winners Spain – who beat the Lionesses in the final – as well as Ukraine and Iceland.
England’s upcoming fixtures:
3 March: Ukraine v England
7 March: England v Iceland
14 April: England v Spain
18 April: Iceland v England
5 June: Spain v England
9 June: England v Ukraine
Meanwhile, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s joint bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup stands unopposed and is expected to be ratified by a vote in a Fifa congress in 2026.
Speaking about their World Cup qualification run of games, Wiegman told BBC Sport: “You never take anything for granted. We know the group stage which I like.
“Of course it’s Spain and ourselves – we never get rid of each other so we play Spain again! It’s an absolutely top-level game. But I’m also excited to play countries we haven’t played yet in the last four years.
“We want to do really well and the main goal is to qualify for the World Cup. I hope we do that first in the group and then otherwise we have play-offs.”
There are just eight international camps between now and what England hope will be a departure to South America.
It is not a lot of time for Wiegman to work with her players, so she will be encouraged by the rapid rise of a number of youngsters this year.
Beever-Jones has provided competition for striker Russo, while Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall scored her first England goal against Ghana and won player of the match in both of her two starts in October and December.
Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds performed well at left-back against Australia and Ghana, while Manchester United captain Maya le Tissier has impressed at centre-back.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton’s success at Euro 2025 – leading to her winning the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards – means England are in good hands.
There are a number of players who will be looking to regain fitness next year, however, after suffering injuries in a gruelling 2025.
Captain Leah Williamson has not featured since the Euros, Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood is out with injury currently and Chelsea’s Lauren James missed the last England camp having only just recovered from an ankle issue.
Arsenal teenager Katie Reid suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after receiving her first England call-up in October and will have to fight for a place in the squad on her return.
Agyemang burst on to the scene with a stunning goal on her debut against Belgium in April, going on to become a star at Euro 2025 – but she also suffered an ACL injury and faces a long road back to fitness.
As Wiegman waits for those players to return, recent friendly matches have shown the depth of her squad, so England will feel confident going into 2026.
