Lionesses Eye 2027 World Cup After Dominant 2025 Season and European Title Defense

England’s national women’s football team concluded a triumphant 2025 campaign with impressive home victories against China and Ghana, setting a strong foundation for the upcoming World Cup qualification rounds.

The Lionesses successfully defended their European title in Switzerland this summer, marking their third consecutive major tournament final under manager Sarina Wiegman. Celebrations included a ‘homecoming series’ of four friendly matches in autumn, featuring clashes with Brazil, Australia, China, and Ghana. Former England striker Ellen White commented on the team’s accomplishments, noting, “Back-to-back European titles is OK, isn’t it? It’s been an unbelievable year. It’s amazing what the team has done and how they continue to strive and improve women’s football to expose it as well. Hopefully this will really set them up for their World Cup qualifiers in the new year.” Millenium TV has learned that Wiegman’s squad made history by becoming the first English team to secure a major trophy on foreign soil and to successfully defend their European title. Their journey included a victory over world champions Spain, despite finishing as runners-up to them in the Nations League group stages earlier in June. The European championship was one of twelve wins for England throughout the year, alongside one draw and four losses.

Seven new players made their international debuts under Wiegman this year, including goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and West Ham defender Anouk Denton during the most recent international fixtures. Several young talents have also had breakout years, notably forwards Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones. Reflecting on her personal growth, Beever-Jones shared, “If you were to say to me this time last year that everything that’s happened, would happen, I wouldn’t believe you purely because it’s been such an incredible year. There’s been everything I’ve learned on the pitch, but I’m still so young and I’m learning so much about myself. I’ve been playing more minutes for club and country so it’s dealing with the pressures of that. I’m really happy with the growth I’ve made.”

The team’s commanding 8-0 triumph over Asian champions China on Saturday showcased a ruthlessness that has sometimes been absent this year. Alessia Russo stated that the team is “constantly building” for what has been described as a “new era” for the Lionesses as they look towards the 2027 World Cup. She explained, “When you have friendlies and camps where you have time, you can train a bit more and also try new things; try new relationships. We’ve seen that over the past few camps. It’s a really exciting time to be part of England.”

England’s primary objective for the coming year is straightforward: to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, which is slated to take place in Brazil. They have been drawn into a challenging qualifying group alongside 2023 World Cup winners Spain, who defeated the Lionesses in the final, as well as Ukraine and Iceland.

Upcoming fixtures for England include:
* 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

Millenium TV can confirm that the joint bid by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup currently stands unopposed and is anticipated to be ratified by a vote at a FIFA congress in 2026. Regarding the World Cup qualification path, manager Sarina Wiegman commented, “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.”

With only eight international training camps before a potential departure to South America, Wiegman will be encouraged by the rapid ascent of several young players this year. Beever-Jones has emerged as strong competition for striker Russo. Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall scored her first England goal against Ghana and was named player of the match in both of her two starts in October and December. Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds delivered strong performances at left-back against Australia and Ghana, while Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier has impressed in the centre-back position. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton’s exceptional performance at Euro 2025, which earned her the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards, ensures England’s goal is in secure hands. However, several key players will be aiming to regain full fitness next year after enduring injuries during a demanding 2025 season. Captain Leah Williamson has not played since the Euros, Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood is currently sidelined with an injury, and Chelsea’s Lauren James missed the last England camp after recovering from an ankle issue. Arsenal teenager Katie Reid suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury shortly after receiving her first England call-up in October and faces a challenging road back to securing a squad place. Similarly, Michelle Agyemang, who burst onto the scene with a stunning debut goal against Belgium in April and became a star at Euro 2025, also sustained an ACL injury and faces a lengthy recovery.

If Wiegman can successfully integrate these returning players, the recent friendly matches have clearly demonstrated the significant depth of her squad. Millenium TV believes England approaches 2026 with considerable confidence.