Wiegman looks ahead to 'very special' final camp

England women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman spoke after today’s squad announcement, as the Lionesses boss named her team for the final camp of the calendar year.

There is a first senior call-up for London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey. The 20 year old made her debut for England women’s under-23s in October last year, having been a part of the development teams from under-14s right through to the WU23s.

“I think she has done well,” explained Wiegman. “Of course, in the beginning of the season, she was injured so she came back and I think she came back strong.

“Also, she’s done well for club and also what you see in the pathway with our under-23s is we’re very close to that team. I want to see her in our environment.

“I think she brings something different. A young player – she’s very excited and I’m excited too to see what she can bring in our squad.

“She was very excited, a little bit flabbergasted I think and I asked her straightaway and [said], ‘just go out there and play football and show what you can do next week’.”

Lauren Hemp – who was sidelined for around two months with an ankle injury – also returns to the squad for the first time since winning UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 in the summer.

“First of all, it’s really nice for her,” continued Wiegman. “She’s fit. I think she really enjoyed herself last weekend – we all could see that – and had a good performance.

“She’s an important player for us with her left foot, pace, attacking attributes that she brings to the game. Very happy to have her back.”

And although the Lionesses are without captain Leah Williamson, along with experienced figures such as Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter, the England boss highlighted other individuals within the squad who can step up.

“I think we have many leaders in this camp,” said Wiegman. “We know that Lucy [Bronze] is leading, Keira [Walsh] is leading, Alessia [Russo] has a lot of experience now too. Lauren Hemp being back – who is not a very old player but she has a lot of experience. I can mention even more – Georgia Stanway.

“Players will lead in different ways – some will be a bit quiet and some will be a more in front of the group. We just all have to take that responsibility.”

The Lionesses wrap up their Homecoming Series during the last camp of 2025 with two internationals against China on Saturday 29 November (5.30pm GMT kick-off) and Ghana on Tuesday 2 December (7pm GMT kick-off).

“It has been a very special year,” noted Wiegman. “We’re going to play at Wembley with over 80,000 tickets sold which is incredible. We felt so much support from the fans here in England but also when we are abroad, so that’s very special.

“We also go to Southampton which I hope more tickets will be sold too, which is also nice because that was my very-first game in 2021 when I came in.

“It’s exciting to go into camp and to have the squad that we’re going with.”

And Wiegman and her players are looking forward to being back at Wembley for the game against China next week.

“It's always very special to be here,” emphasised Wiegman. “We go around the country so that other people from different parts of the country get the opportunity to come to the game.

“But playing here for more than 80,000 people again with all the nice memories that we made over the last couple of years is very incredible and we feel so much support. It’s just a very special place for us.”

Last time out, Wiegman’s team beat Australia 3-0 at Pride Park in Derby, having narrowly slipped to defeat against Brazil at the City of Manchester Stadium and this month will be another learning curve for the team, according to the Dutchwoman.

“I’m really happy with the four friendlies that we play in this autumn,” reflected Wiegman. “We play opponents from different continents which is really nice too because they give us different challenges.

“We’ll get a lot of learnings as we did from Brazil and Australia. Just different opponents, different tactical and physical challenges for us which we need I think to improve.”