Head coach John Salomon has selected a 20-strong squad for round one of European qualifying.

The WU17s will today begin their quest for qualification for the 2025 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship with the first of three matches being held today at St. George’s Park.

The Young Lionesses first face the Faroe Islands, who have already qualified for next summer’s finals as the host nation, before taking on Czechia and the Netherlands. England are bidding for one of seven spots up for grabs at the European finals and will progress to round two of qualification providing they finish in the top three of the four-team qualification group.

Monday 7 October
England v Faroe Islands
12:00 BST KO, St. George’s Park

Thursday 10 October
England v Czechia
12:00 BST KO, St. George’s Park

Sunday 13 October
England v Netherlands
12:00 BST KO, St. George’s Park

The group participating in the European qualifying fixtures is a separate WU17s squad from the one Natalie Henderson is taking to the Dominican Republic in October to compete in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Henderson’s side made history back in May by reaching the EURO final for the first time and qualifying for the World Cup for just the third time in the age group’s history.

John Salomon said: “It’s exciting to be kicking off our qualification campaign at home and we’re looking forward to welcoming our opponents to St. George’s Park. Each game will present a different type of challenge and we’re looking forward to seeing how the players continue to develop through this process. Playing in competitive European fixtures is an important part of the development of our Young Lionesses and it’s going to be another invaluable experience for them as they progress through the pathway.”

England squad

Goalkeepers: Silvana Marshall Miranda (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chiemela-Uju Ude (Arsenal)

Defenders: Elise Christian (Chelsea), Isabella Cowley (Chelsea), Lucy Day (Birmingham City), Holly Minshull (Manchester United), Aaliyah Pearson (Manchester United), Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Jessica Anderson (Manchester United), Mia Palmer (Brighton & Hove Albion), May Cruft (Rangers), Jhanaie Dezire-Pierre (Tottenham Hotspur), Eva Forster (North Carolina Courage), Isabel Hebard (Bristol City), Eva Hendle (Chelsea), Evie McCaffrey (Manchester City), Gabriella Storey (Chelsea), Taylor Warren (Chelsea)

Forwards: Freya Hirons (Aston Villa), Lois Shooter (Chelsea)