Beth Mead, Fran Kirby return to England squad for Nations League double header with Belgium
Both the Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion forwards missed the start of the Lionesses’ Nations League campaign in February through injury while there is also a return for Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating.
Elsewhere there is a first senior call up for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Maisie Symonds.
Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy, City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace are all left out because of injury.
Mace’s Tottenham teammate Jessica Naz also drops out. Chloe Kelly, on loan from City to Arsenal, replaces her having being an injury replacement in the last squad.
Sarina Wiegman’s side face Belgium on Friday, April 4 at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate before they travel to Leuven on Tuesday, April 8. The teams last met in the 2023 Nations League, with both recording a win apiece.
England sit second in Group A3 after a win — over world champions Spain — and a draw, against Portugal, from their opening two games.
Wiegman said: “It’s good for us to be back together so quickly after a positive start to this year. We have a lot we want to achieve in the Nations League and although we are satisfied with our start in the group, there’s much more work to be done to improve our game.
“After two very difficult fixtures against them in 2023 we know the challenge Belgium will pose. We will need to be fully focused and perform at our best to get the two results we are looking for.
“I’m looking forward to getting the players together and continuing the hard work on the grass at St. George’s Park before travelling to Bristol. It will be a pleasure to return back to Ashton Gate, it’s a stadium that brings back happy memories and a crowd who gave us great support in 2023.
“To play in front of a sell-out crowd is not something we will ever take for granted and I’m sure their backing will provide us with the extra energy we need and hopefully help us secure three important points.”
England squad for Nations League fixtures
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse
Defenders: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Lucy Parker, Millie Turner, Leah Williamson
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Fran Kirby, Jess Park, Maisie Symonds, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Nikita Parris, Alessia Russo
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
England, UK Women's Football
2025 The Athletic Media Company
-
ENGLAND SQUAD: Trio to return to Lionesses squad for Belgium double-header
Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Khiara Keating will all return to the England squad for next month’s UEFA Women’s Nations League double-header against Belgium.The Lionesses continue their UEFA Women’s...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Fran Kirby returns to England squad as Sarina Wiegman selects uncapped midfielder
Beth Mead also returns from injury as Maisie Symonds receives first call-up for the Belgium double-headerYahoo Sports - 10h -
Kirby recalled to Lionesses squad to face Belgium
Brighton forward Fran Kirby is recalled to the England squad for their Women's Nations League matches against Belgium next month.BBC News - 9h -
Courtois returns from Belgium exile for Nations League duty
Rudi Garcia announced Friday his 26-man squad for Belgium's Nations League play-off tie against Ukraine, which included Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the first time since June ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
International Magpies: Murphy named in Republic of Ireland squad
Emily MurphyThe 22-year-old forward has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their UEFA Women's Nations League double-header against Greece next month.Carla Ward's side head to Heraklion ...Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Confirmed Line-Ups: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League)
Manchester City return to Premier League action with a home clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the temporarily renamed City in the Community Etihad Stadium.Pep Guardiola and his players know ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League)
After another full week off from action, Pep Guardiola’s men return to the Etihad Stadium this weekend to face an in-form Brighton & Hove Albion.The Premier League champions produced a somewhat ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Manchester City vs Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Stats, Head to Head, How to Watch
Manchester City return to action back at the Etihad Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend in the last fixture before the March international break.Pep Guardiola and his players are ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Courtois back in Belgium squad after missing Euro 2024 because of fall-out with coach
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returned to Belgium's squad on Friday as part of the first selection by recently hired coach Rudi Garcia. In August, Courtois said he wouldn't be available ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
More from Yahoo Sports
-
S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena
South Africa beat Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to lead an African 2026 World Cup qualifying group by five points, but the advantage could be reduced for fielding an ineligible player last week.- Nigeria ...Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'
During a radio appearance on Wednesday, LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey spoke highly about USC's JuJu Watkins after her season-ending injury.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
The Astros brought Cam Smith’s family into the clubhouse to surprise him about making the big-league roster
A moment that Cam Smith will never forget.Yahoo Sports - 31m -
Bills have big plans for Dalton Kincaid after injury-filled second season
Brandon Beane was quick to pump the brakes. It was April 27, 2023 and Beane just traded up two spots to select tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the draft. Not only that, but the ...Yahoo Sports - 31m -
Top 50 people who will impact the 2025 MLB season: Nos. 50-26
From Chandler Simpson to Mike Trout to Fernando Tatis Jr., these are the names to know as the regular season begins.Yahoo Sports - 34m
More in Sports
-
Women's Sweet 16 rankings: UConn is No. 1, USC holds tight at No. 4
The Sweet 16 is set, and there's a new No. 1. But all eyes are on USC and injured JuJu Watkins.ESPN - 29m -
Picks, predictions, key players for every women's Sweet 16 game
Why might every Sweet 16 team win its regional semifinal matchup in Birmingham and Spokane? We predict the winners.ESPN - 29m -
Cal Raleigh contract extension: Mariners locking up star catcher on six-year, $105 million deal, per reports
The deal will buy out Raleigh's first three years of free agencyCBS Sports - 29m -
S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena
South Africa beat Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to lead an African 2026 World Cup qualifying group by five points, but the advantage could be reduced for fielding an ineligible player last week.- Nigeria ...Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'
During a radio appearance on Wednesday, LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey spoke highly about USC's JuJu Watkins after her season-ending injury.Yahoo Sports - 30m