England squad announcement live: Lionesses team for Women’s Euros named with Lauren James included | OneFootball

Kirby is an 'inspiration and example' to us all - Wiegman

England will name their squad for Euro 2025 today as Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman tries to put 10 days of carnage behind her and return focus to next month’s title defence in Switzerland.

That Women’s Euros success in 2022 suddenly feels like a long time ago and the recent rollercoaster ride began last week with former No 1 Mary Earps announcing her sudden, and shock, retirement after being informed she would have been a back-up goalkeeper for the tournament.

England then impressively beat Portugal 6-0 on Friday night before former stalwart Fran Kirby announced she was retiring from international duty on Tuesday and the Lionesses subsequently crashed out of the Women’s Nations League with a 2-1 defeat to Spain that evening.

The following day, vice-captain and talismanic centre-back Millie Bright withdrew herself from selection for the Euros, citing physical and mental burnout, to give Wiegman another headache just 24 hours before the Dutch coach confirms her 23-person squad at St George’s Park this afternoon.

Sarina Wiegman responds to Lionesses crisis claims: ‘There is always noise’

Sarina Wiegman has laughed off the idea that defending champions England are going into Euro 2025 in crisis after the loss of the experienced trio of Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Fran Kirby.

Bright, who captained England in the 2023 World Cup final, made herself unavailable for this summer’s tournament in Switzerland to look after her mental health.

Earps, who saved a penalty in the World Cup final and was named in the team of the tournament for Euro 2022, retired from international football after learning that Hannah Hampton would be first-choice goalkeeper while Kirby ended her own England career after manager Wiegman told her she would not be in this summer’s squad.

Sarina Wiegman responds to Lionesses crisis claims: ‘There is always noise’

England have been rocked by the retirements of Fran Kirby and Mary Earps, while Millie Bright withdrew from consideration for selection for Euro 2025

Richard Jolly5 June 2025 16:06

England confirm Lionesses squad for Euro 2025 as Lauren James decision made

Sarina Wiegman has picked Lauren James in the England squad who will try and defend their European Championship title in Switzerland this summer.

James, who has not played since April because of a hamstring injury, has been in a race against time to be fit but made the 23-player group.

Lotte Wubben-Moy was the beneficiary of Millie Bright’s decision to withdraw as the defender who captained England in the 2023 World Cup final announced she needed a break to look after her mental and physical health.

England confirm Lionesses squad for Euro 2025 as Lauren James decision made

England’s 23-player squad has been confirmed as they try to defend their European title

Richard Jolly5 June 2025 16:00

England's Euro 2025 group

England are in what looks to be the toughest group at Euro 2025.

Three of Europe's top five nations are included and the group is: France (3rd), England (4th), Netherlands (5th), as well as Wales (16th)/

If progress follows rankings, and the Lionesses go through as runners-up, then they could face a quarter-final against Germany, who are the highest-ranked team in Group C.

Mike Jones5 June 2025 15:56

Wiegman on difficult conversations with players:

"After I have conversations with players I always feel OK, what went well?

“But I think, for me, it's really important that I'm honest, that I treat people in the right way, and sometimes you have very good news and sometimes you don't have good news - and I don't go round the bush with that.

"I just give that message and I can't always control how people will respond on that. I just hope they can have the clarity and can move on afterwards with the staff and we can give some support."

(Getty Images)

Mike Jones5 June 2025 15:48

Mood is good in England camp

"You see part of it - you're not in our environment all the time,” Sarian Wiegman told gathered journalists.

“I can assure you the training sessions last week have been really good. What you could see in Portugal, that was a very energetic game, a good game.

“I didn't see anything that there were no connections within the team.

"Having had lots of football conversations in camp, seeing what has happened off pitch and on pitch with the team, I'm really happy where we are right now."

Mike Jones5 June 2025 15:41

Wiegman on disruption in the build-up to a squad announcement:

"Well, my experience before major tournaments is there's always noise. So we expect noise until we go into the tournament.

"The difference is, in 2017 [as Netherlands coach], and when I went as assistant coach in 2015, is the attention.

“The women's game has increased so much, there sounds like there's more noise but there are just more journalists here that write and show what we are doing - so that's a lot more.

"We just have to deal with it and move on and focus on the football."

Mike Jones5 June 2025 15:33

Is England's squad experienced enough for the Euros?

"Yes.” replied Wiegman.

“When I came in, there were many, many players who were experienced - but I do think we have enough experience in this team.

“There are about 16 players who have played in major tournaments. Also, playing such a high level at club, playing in front of big crowds. So I don't think it's a problem.

"The experience is enough, the balance is enough and with players coming in and playing their first tournament, they're so eager, too. So that balance and those dynamics are pretty good in our team."

Mike Jones5 June 2025 15:23

Agyemang can be England's wildcard

Can Michelle Agyemang be a 'wildcard' off the bench this summer?

"I think so. We'll see what she can bring,” said Sarina Wiegman.

“Of course, I have seen in training sessions, what she did in Belgium - she brings something different. And I hope she can show that in the summer."

Mike Jones5 June 2025 15:18

Wiegman on 23 players for the women's squads compared to the men's 26-player squads

"You want to have that equality but I'm also happy with the 23 players.

“I think the rule now is when a goalkeeper gets injured, you have the opportunity to bring in another goalkeeper during the Euros.

“I would hope that rule will change also if a player has to go out, there are opportunities to bring in another player. For me that would be a very good solution.

"But I don't have to go with 26 players. You can only start with 11, and you're not going to play a full tournament with 11 players, you need the whole squad. But 26 is a lot."

Mike Jones5 June 2025 15:15

Wiegman on how she selects players

"I'm good. It's part of the job, well, the main part of the job to make decisions, who to select, who to play and things like that,” said the Lionesses boss.

“Those hard conversations are not nice because I know what players do, and how hard they try to make the squad.

"Also, great behaviours from players, supportive to the team, so that's very hard to give them this very disappointing message.

“But at the same time, I also had very nice messages to give, so that gives me some more energy too.

“Now that's done, I can move forward and I'm really excited about the team and that the Euros are so close."

(Action Images via Reuters)