Freya Godfrey tells the story of first Lionesses call-up

‘Flabbergasted’ and ‘excited’ was how Sarina Wiegman described Freya Godfrey upon delivering the news that the forward would be included in the Lionesses boss’ latest squad.

It came as a shock to the 20 year old, who explained that she was in transit at the time of the aforementioned phone call.

“I was in my car driving to see my brother who is at uni,” she reflected. “I haven’t seen him for a few months, so I was really excited to see him and then Sarina rang me and I was obviously over the moon.

“She just said ‘congratulations’. She said I’ve been doing well and that she wants to see how I do in the environment and to just come in and just be myself and do my thing. It gave me confidence about what she’s thinking and seeing from me. It was a nice boost.

“You’re very excited and very shocked but most of all, I was just very grateful for the opportunity because I wasn’t really expecting it. I think I said ‘thank you’ about 20 times! I couldn’t really gather my words.

“I rung my parents and said, ‘I’ve got to go – I’m at my brother’s’. I got out the car and told him straight away. It was really nice to have that moment with him where I hadn’t seen him in a while and that was the first thing I could say to him.”

After touching down at St. George’s Park on Monday ahead of the last camp of 2025, Godfrey was reunited with some of her former Arsenal and Young Lionesses teammates.

And having completed a permanent switch to WSL side London City Lionesses – whom Godfrey helped to win promotion last season – in the summer, she cast an eye over the week ahead.

“I think just soaking up as much as I can, learning from the incredible players that are around me,” she explained.

“It’ll be good to be in this environment and learn from English legends who I’ve looked up to for a long time. To be around them and Sarina and all her staff, it’s an incredible opportunity that I’m going to take as much from as I can.”

And the talented youngster has been a fan from afar for a number of years.

“I remember one time, we were on holiday when the EUROs was on [in 2017] and we managed to find it on some German TV,” she recalled.

“I remember watching that and Jodie Taylor was scoring loads of goals. I remember she was smashing it and when I got the chance to work with her at Arsenal, I was in awe and gobsmacked – it was so cool.”

It’s been a moment a long time in the making for Godfrey. Having received her first call-up at under-14s, progressing through the age groups to the under-23s, making her debut in October last year for Emma Coates’ side.

“Coming up from the age groups is such a special thing to be a part of,” she said. “I think it’s gone very quickly when I think back to my first camp.

“There’s so many people in the under-23s [now] who were there on my first camp which is so special because I’ve known some of these girls for six years now which is incredible to be able to go through this journey together. It’s lovely to look back every camp and say, ‘do you remember this time?’ whether it’s when we were 13 or when we were 18.

“They’re all so proud of me and so happy for me and I can’t wait for it to be them soon – I’m so excited. It’s a credit to the pathway and the chances that Sarina gives to young players.

“I was talking to Lucia [Kendall] earlier – we played together three years ago in the under-19s. It’s incredible that we’re now here together and we’re able to share those memories with each other in this environment.”

The Lionesses, still fresh off the back of this summer’s success, round off their Homecoming Series with the final two fixtures of the calendar year against China on Saturday 29 November (5.30pm GMT kick-off) and Ghana on Tuesday 2 December (7pm GMT kick-off).

“I think there’s a big buzz,” Godfrey continued. “It’s really cool that I can be here around these players who have won so much and achieved so much for their country.

“Obviously, these are two big games coming up which is really exciting – almost a sold-out Wembley and St Mary’s as well.

“To go to Wembley and experience it almost sold out, the atmosphere will be incredible. To be able to witness that from a player’s perspective is something I’ve always dreamed about.”