Nothing beats an international tournament. I’m attending my seventh and there’s no doubting my favourite so far As the old adage goes: “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Sitting in my apartment in Zurich with another European Championship imminent and wondering where the past three years have gone, it seems as good a time as any to reflect on everything that has happened since the Lionesses lifted their first major trophy. On the eve of Euro 2022, I was asked to write a piece about the month ahead, one not only about the progress of the women’s game but about my journey within the sport. Reading it back, I wrote with so much hope and excitement but as someone who had no idea that all those dreams and more would be realised a few weeks later. Continue reading...

Jill Scott tells Nedum Onuoha about the nerve-jangling moment the Lionesses found out whether they were in - or out - of Sarina Wiegman's Women's Euro 2022 squad.

Midfielder believes squad are prepared for all conditions Switzerland forecast to be 30C-plus for first games England feel well prepared to cope with the heatwave that awaits them in Switzerland, Beth Mead has said, as the Lionesses flew to Zurich on Monday to defend their European title. Temperatures at the squad’s base in Zurich were about 33C on the day Sarina Wiegman’s team travelled, and maximum temperatures there are expected to exceed 30C for most of the week in the run-up to the Lionesses’ opening Group D fixture against France on Saturday night. Continue reading...

Ella Toone scored twice as the Lionesses put on a show in their last warm-up game before Euro 2025 2 min “As it’s a friendly, perhaps we can think about superficial stuff,” writes Charles Antaki. “Anyway that’s my excuse for asking about the kits for the men’s and women’s International teams; they’ve differed I think for the first time, and for some reason the women have been handed a take on the old Keegan-era Admiral strip, while the men have a simpler and more elegant design. Is there a reason?” Do you mean why have they used those particular designs? If so, I’m afraid I have no idea. And if it’s a different question, well, there’s a fair chance I’ll have no idea about that either. Continue reading...

Midfielder’s condition ‘controlled’ say doctors Spain kick off Euro 2025 against Portugal on 3 July England have sent their best wishes to the Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí for a speedy recovery in time for the European Championship after the Ballon d’Or winner was admitted to hospital with viral meningitis. The head coach, Sarina Wiegman, whose Lionesses side were beaten by Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, hopes the Barcelona player can recover in time for the finals in Switzerland, which get under way on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Those who played and witnessed firsthand the Lionesses’ success at a rapturous Wembley share their memories On 31 July 2022 the Lionesses made history, Chloe Kelly’s goal in extra time earning a 2-1 win over Germany to secure a first major title at Euro 2022. The home Euros had swung the nation behind the team and women’s football has not looked back. What did the day of the final look like? Ahead of the Lionesses beginning their title defence, this is the inside story of English women’s football’s greatest day. Waking up on the morning of the final, there was an eerie air of calm and confidence in the England camp. Continue reading...

Sir Gareth Southgate says he does not miss managing England after being knighted for his services to football.

A display in Cardiff is taken down after offering fans the chance to meet the England football team.

Midfielder Georgia Stanway says England players are having to help families cover the cost of following the team at Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

No discernible plan. No identity. No improvement. With one year until the World Cup, how far off are Thomas Tuchel's England?

New manager is not concerned by developing culture or blooding players for the future. He knows his job is to win When, in April 1965, a month shy of his 30th birthday, Jack Charlton was called up to play for England for the first time, he was baffled. In characteristically blunt fashion, he asked Alf Ramsey why on earth he had picked him. “I have a pattern of play in mind,” Ramsey replied. “And I pick the best players to fit the pattern. I don’t necessarily always pick the best players.” Or at least that is the printable version of their conversation that has been left to history. “You’re a good tackler and you’re good in the air, and I need those things,” Ramsey continued. “And I know you don’t trust Bobby Moore.” There is a fallacy that the winning of major tournaments is about having the best players. It is not; it is, as Ramsey understood, about picking the right players in the right configuration – even if that means leaving out players who have played very well for you, as he did with Peter Thompson, or leaving the goalscoring darling of the media on the bench, as he did with Jimmy Greaves. Continue reading...

Time is running out before the tournament in Switzerland. We rank the 16 sides heading for this summer’s Euros With the Nations League group stage coming to a close, we take a look at the 16 teams taking part in the European Championship this summer to see how they are shaping up: Continue reading...

World Cup captain’s withdrawal is an important wake-up call, and leaves serious questions for coach Sarina Wiegman Millie Bright’s decision to withdraw from selection for the European Championship this summer, partly to look after her mental health, is one of the most courageous acts an England player has made and might yet prove to have just as powerful an impact off the pitch as her performances have had on it. Going to a major tournament for your country is every player’s dream and therefore for Bright, who captained England in the 2023 World Cup final, to bravely risk criticism and sacrifice that opportunity because she has the self-awareness to know that – in her words – “the fans deserve more” than what she can offer is sad for the Lionesses, but it should also serve two higher purposes. Continue reading...

‘This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make’ Earps and Kirby have retired from international football The England vice-captain Millie Bright has withdrawn from this summer’s Euros in Switzerland, saying it “is the right thing for my health and my future”. The decision is a major setback for Sarina Wiegman before the defence of the title the Lionesses won three years ago. “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make but after careful thought and discussions with my team, I have decided to withdraw from selection for the England squad ahead of Euro 2025,” Bright said in an Instagram post. “Football has given me so much and representing my country has always been my greatest honour. My pride and ego tells me to go but I think the team and the fans deserve more. Right now I’m not able to give 100% mentally or physically. Continue reading...