England beat Greece 8-1 on aggregate in October, and now one more tie stands between the Lionesses and Brazil. That tie is a two-legged play-off against Ukraine, starting on 1 December. This Lionesses squad guide covers who’s in the mix, who’s in form and what’s at stake. Along the way, the Women’s Ballon d’Or review shows where England’s stars rank globally. The 2027 World Cup is the next big target.
The Road to Brazil: Where England Stand
England finished second to Spain in their qualifying group. As a result, they had to take the play-off route. Round one pitted them against Greece, a first-ever meeting. The Lionesses won 3-1 in Crete on 9 October, with Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo scoring. Four days later came a 5-0 win at Leicester.
Next comes Ukraine. England beat them 6-1 away and 3-0 at home in the league phase. Even so, nothing is guaranteed. The first leg is on 1 December at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain. After that, the second leg follows at Wembley on 5 December at 5.30pm GMT. The winner books a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
The Coach: Sarina Wiegman’s Extended Reign
Sarina Wiegman signed a contract extension that runs until the end of Euro 2029. That means she’ll lead the team for two more years after the World Cup. She has reached five straight major tournament finals with England. Along the way, she’s won Euro 2022 and Euro 2025.
For the players, the news brings calm. Keira Walsh was among those who’d said publicly they hoped Wiegman would stay. Her assistants, Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit, are staying too. Goalkeeping coach Darren Ward also remains. In short, the Lionesses squad has stability off the pitch.
Expected Lionesses Squad for the Ukraine Play-Off
England haven’t named their squad for the Ukraine ties yet, as of 3 November 2026. The names below come from the 29 September squad for the Greece play-off. Treat them as likely, not confirmed, until Wiegman announces her list.
Goalkeepers and defenders
- Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool), Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City, on loan from Orlando Pride)
- Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Manchester City), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders and forwards
- Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Jess Park (Manchester United), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway
- Forwards: Alessia Russo and Lauren James both scored twice against Greece
Wiegman left out Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly last time, and she said she hoped they’d respond well. That squad was announced on 29 September 2026.
England Players to Watch in 2027
Alessia Russo and Lauren James
Russo is the headline name. She scored in Crete, then added two in Leicester. Earlier in 2026, she netted twice against Ukraine in March. Lauren James also scored twice against Greece on 13 October. Together, they gave England the sharpest attack of the autumn.
The veterans: Bronze and Greenwood
Lucy Bronze has 148 caps and 22 goals, as of the September squad. Alex Greenwood has 111 caps and seven goals. Both are still central to Wiegman’s plans. Greenwood was also a Women’s Ballon d’Or nominee this year. Their experience matters in a tie with this much at stake.
Hampton and the next generation
Hannah Hampton has 29 caps and 11 clean sheets. She won the first Women’s Goalkeeper award at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony. Meanwhile, Lexi Potter earned her first call-up in September. She then made her debut in the 13 October win. Maya Le Tissier, with 14 caps, scored in Crete.
The Captain Returns
Leah Williamson came back into the squad for the Greece games after missing the previous camp through injury. She has 67 caps and five goals. She’s also the first England captain to win two major tournaments. For a deeper look, read the Leah Williamson biography. Her fitness will be a key storyline in December.
How Club Form Feeds the Lionesses Squad
Club form matters, so keep an eye on the WSL 2026-27 mid-season guide. Chelsea and Manchester City lead the league on 22 points after eight games. That’s good news for Bronze, Hampton, Greenwood and Charles. Arsenal, on the other hand, have struggled early, which puts pressure on Williamson and Russo to lift them.
What to Expect From Ukraine
Ukraine can’t host games at home because of the ongoing conflict with Russia. That’s why the first leg moves to Spain. They reached this round by beating Slovakia 4-1 on aggregate. England, as a seeded team, get the second leg at Wembley. That home advantage could matter in a tie this tight.
The two sides know each other well. England won 6-1 in Turkiye and 3-0 at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in the league phase. Even so, Wiegman said England know the qualities Ukraine have and the threat they can pose. She added that the team wants to be fully prepared. In short, England won’t take it lightly.
Lessons From the Greece Games
Greece offered a useful test. In the first leg, England completed 207 passes that ended in the final third, while Greece managed nine. Still, the 3-1 score left questions about finishing and concentration. Greece scored late through Kallisti Brouksair.
The response was strong. England won the second leg 5-0 in Leicester. Wiegman said the team got more big chances and wanted to be ruthless. She also tried a back three and said England were trying to improve their game. On the other hand, she knows the margin will be much smaller against Ukraine.
England also carry a good record into every first meeting. They’d gone 41 matches without defeat when facing a new opponent, winning 34 and drawing seven, before facing Greece. That’s an unusual run, and it shows how well-prepared they usually are.
The Spain Factor
England’s qualifying group featured Spain, who beat them 1-0 in the 2023 World Cup final. England got revenge at Euro 2025, winning on penalties in Basel after a 1-1 draw. Spain topped the group this time, so England have to go the long way. Still, a World Cup meeting in Brazil is possible.
For now, the Lionesses squad has one job. Beat Ukraine over two legs. Only then does the Spain question matter. Millie Bright has retired from international football, and Toone and Kelly missed the last squad. As a result, the group has a new look, with Potter and Le Tissier stepping up.
Caps and Experience at a Glance
Experience will matter over two legs. Here are the caps and goals for key names, as listed in the September squad guide:
- Lucy Bronze: 148 caps, 22 goals
- Alex Greenwood: 111 caps, seven goals
- Leah Williamson: 67 caps, five goals
- Jess Carter: 55 caps, three goals
- Niamh Charles: 34 caps, no goals
- Hannah Hampton: 29 caps, 11 clean sheets
- Esme Morgan: 25 caps
- Maya Le Tissier: 14 caps
Beyond the big names, the depth is real. Khiara Keating has one cap, while Anna Moorhouse has two caps and two clean sheets. Grace Fisk was yet to make her debut at that point. In short, Wiegman can mix veterans with fresh faces.
What Qualification Would Mean
Reaching Brazil would add another chapter to a remarkable run. England reached the 2023 World Cup final and lost to Spain. Since then, they’ve won Euro 2025 and kept Wiegman for two more years. Her new deal covers the World Cup and the following Euros in 2029. Because of that, the planning looks long term.
There’s another reason to qualify. England will co-host the 2035 World Cup with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That earns them automatic entry for that tournament. However, 2027 is the one that counts now. For this Lionesses squad, the next two weeks of December carry real weight.
Key Takeaways
- Opponent: England face Ukraine over two legs on 1 and 5 December.
- Venues: Murcia hosts the first leg, and Wembley hosts the second.
- Coach: Sarina Wiegman is signed through Euro 2029.
- Stars: Russo and James scored twice each against Greece on 13 October.
- Squad: The Ukraine squad isn’t announced yet, as of 3 November.
FAQs
Who do England play in the World Cup play-off?
England play Ukraine over two legs on 1 and 5 December 2026.
Where is the Lionesses’ first leg?
The first leg is at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain.
Is Wiegman staying as England coach?
Yes, she signed a contract extension that runs until the end of Euro 2029.
Who scored against Greece?
Stanway, Le Tissier and Russo scored in Crete, and Russo, James and Stanway scored in Leicester.
When is the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
It takes place next summer in Brazil.
Conclusion
This Lionesses squad guide shows a team with experience, new faces and a clear goal. Wiegman has the contract, Russo and James have the form, and Williamson is back. Beat Ukraine, and England go to Brazil. As of now, the Lionesses squad looks ready for the challenge.
