Sarina Wiegman names England Women squad for first Euro 2025 qualifiers

Two years on from conquering the continent at Euro 2022, England have been drawn to face France Women, Sweden Women and the Republic of Ireland in a tantalising Euro 2025 preliminary section.

Wiegman's side will compete in League A Group 3 of qualifying, where the top two sides will advance straight to the final tournament, while the third and fourth-placed teams will have another shot at progression in the playoffs.

Sweden are first up for England at Wembley on April 5, four days before the Lionesses travel to Dublin to meet near neighbours Ireland, and Wiegman has named a recognisable troupe of players for both matches.

Captain and Arsenal defender Leah Williamson is among them as she bids to make her first international appearance in 11 months, having suffered an excruciating ACL injury towards the end of the 2022-23 season.

The 26-year-old was included in the ranks for February's clashes with Italy and Austria, only to pull out with another frustrating setback, but she has started each of Arsenal's last two matches in the Women's Super League.

"I'm very happy [she's back]. The squad looks good. She [Williamson] recovered really well and it didn't take too long and now she's getting into a rhythm. She hasn't played many games but she is getting there," Wiegman told a press conference.

Williamson's replacement for February's victories, Manchester United's Millie Turner, has also held her place in the squad, but Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright is still unavailable on account of her long-term knee issue.

"Unfortunately Millie [Bright] is not available but Leah is and I'm looking forward to working with her again. We're a bit disappointed. She's taking her time and doing the right thing to avoid setbacks," Wiegman said on Bright.

""She needs to do more work in the gym to get stronger and that takes time. Emma Hayes said she should be back after the international break."

England reunite with Sweden on April 5 after thrashing the Scandinavian outfit 4-0 in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, avenging their 2-1 loss in the 2019 World Cup third-placed playoff.

However, the Lionesses have not clashed with Ireland in a women's international fixture for 37 years, when they earned a 1-0 friendly triumph in March 1987 thanks to a goal from Kerry Davis.