Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Beth Mead are all in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for UEFA Nations League games against Portugal and Spain later this month. England play Portugal in the Algarve on 21 February before playing Spain at Wembley on 26 February.
Chloe Kelly, who joined the Gunners on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day, is omitted from the squad for the first time under Wiegman with the England coach citing her lack of game time this City- which was the player’s key motivation for leaving the club on loan.
‘She hasn’t played enough, in my opinion,’ Wiegman said. ‘Start playing and show what you’re about, and then we’ll have that conversation again. We had a good conversation yesterday, and she’s not out for the Euros… we’ll revisit it. We all hope that she shows good performances, gets some minutes in and gets her level back.’
Mead is called up despite missing Arsenal’s last two games with a calf strain. ‘She’s fit enough to come in camp, and ready as it stands now.’ Meanwhile, Lina Hurtig and Rosa Kafaji are out of Sweden’s Nations League squad for games away at Denmark on 21 February and away at Wales on 25 February due to injury. Peter Gerhardsson was keen to call up Amanda Ilestedt but she is not deemed ready yet having just returned from maternity leave. Stina Blackstenius makes that squad.
Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger are in Emma Hayes’ USWNT squad for the She Believes Cup, the US play Colombia in Houston, Texas on 20 February, Australia in Glendale, Arizona on 23 February and Japan in San Diego, California on 26 February. Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross are all in the Australia squad for that tournament, as well as playing the US in Texas on 23 February, they will also play Japan in Houston on 20 February and Colombia in San Diego on 26 February.
Manu Zinsberger is in the Austria squad for UEFA Nations League games at home to Scotland on 21 February and away at Germany on 25 February. Laia Codina and Mariona are both in the Spain squad for Nations League games at home to Belgium on 21 February and away against England on 26 February. Katie McCabe will captain Ireland for their Nations League games at home to Turkiye on 21 February and away at Slovenia on 25 February.
Frida Maanum is in Norway’s squad for Nations League ties away at France on 21 February and at home to Switzerland on 25 February where she will face Lia Walti, who will captain Switzerland. They also play Iceland in Zurich on 21 February. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is in the Netherlands squad for their Nations League matches at home to Germany on 21 February and away at Scotland on 25 February.
Finally, Katie Reid has been called into the England U23 squad for games against Germany and France, as have Michelle Agyemang (on loan at Brighton) and Teyah Goldie (on loan at London City Lionesses). Naomi Williams has been called up to train with the squad.
Those who have managed to gain depth in the WSL teams’ roster will continue to do well in the championships. I say this because this is the period when injuries start to appear due to the number of games that are coming up.