The Lionesses who've played at the U20 World Cup

England women’s under-20s will test themselves on the global stage next month as their development continues at the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup.

The Young Lionesses head to Poland in September for the 24-team tournament, where they have been drawn alongside Brazil, Tanzania and Canada in Group B.

It is the first time since winning bronze in 2018 that England have competed in the tournament.

Many of that squad graduated into the Lionesses set-up and head coach Lydia Bedford hopes the England pathway can serve as a source of motivation to her youngsters.

Indeed, the U20 World Cup has long been a stepping stone for future senior stars, with no fewer than 32 senior Lionesses having played in the tournament earlier in their careers.

Here, we take a look at those to do so.

2008 squad (Quarter-finalists)

Future Lionesses: Jessica Clarke, Natasha Dowie, Toni Duggan, Gilly Flaherty, Steph Houghton, Jade Moore, Claire Rafferty, Fern Whelan.

Mo Marley’s 2008 squad reached the quarter-finals in Chile, where they fell to a 3-0 defeat to eventual winners, the United States.

Eight of that team went on to play for the Lionesses, with Toni Duggan, Steph Houghton, Jade Moore and Claire Rafferty all representing the team at senior World Cups, while Jessica Clarke made the squad for two European Championships.

Of that group, Clarke, Moore, Duggan and Houghton, all won more than 50 caps, with the latter two becoming two of the most recognisable faces in women’s football following the Lionesses' third-place finish at the 2015 World Cup.

Duggan, who ended the 2008 tournament as England’s top scorer, earned 79 senior caps in total, netting 22 goals.

Former captain Houghton is a true England legend with 121 caps to her name.

The defender had made her senior debut the year before the 2008 U20 World Cup, but the experience certainly stood her in good stead as she went onto lead the senior side at two World Cups, alongside winning 15 domestic honours with Manchester City and Arsenal.

2010 squad (Group stage)

Future Lionesses: Gemma Bonner, Lucy Bronze, Danielle Carter, Izzy Christiansen, Toni Duggan, Gilly Flaherty, Jade Moore, Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth, Demi Stokes.

The 2010 cohort bowed out in the group stage after defeats to Mexico and Japan in Germany but ten of that squad went on to earn full international honours.

Duggan, Moore and Gilly Flaherty were included for the second successive tournament, and they were joined by Lucy Bronze, who has since gone on to represent England at seven major tournaments.

Widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, the right-back won back-to-back European Championships in 2022 and 2025 while also helping the Lionesses reach the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final.

Demi Stokes, who featured 69 times for the Lionesses and was part of the EURO 2022-winning squad, also played in the 2010 U20 World Cup, while Jordan Nobbs has been a key member of the senior side since making her debut in 2013.

The box-to-box midfielder has won 71 caps to date and was part of the squad that reached the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

2014 squad (Group stage)

Future Lionesses: Lizzy Durack, Hannah Blundell, Nikita Parris, Beth Mead, Katie Zelem, Melissa Lawley, Gabrielle George, Jess Carter, Leah Williamson.

Two draws were not enough for the Young Lionesses to progress beyond the group stage in Canada 12 years ago, but 2014 proved to be another impressive year for the England pathway, with nine players graduating from the U20 World Cup side to the senior set-up.

Among them were Leah Williamson, who has established herself as one of the best players in the game while leading the Lionesses during the most successful period in the team’s history.

The centre-back made her senior debut against Russia in June 2018 and has since gone on to become a key figure in the squad. Made captain in 2022, she was part of the EURO 2022 and EURO 2025 victories, as well as the Women’s Finalissima win over Brazil in 2023.

Jess Carter, Beth Mead and Nikita Parris were the other players from that squad who were part of the landmark EURO 2022 win, with all three passing a half century of appearances in an England shirt.

2018 squad (bronze medallists)

Future Lionesses: Niamh Charles, Lauren Hemp, Taylor Hinds, Esme Morgan, Sandy MacIver, Chloe Kelly, Ellie Roebuck, Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway.

England’s best performance at the Women’s U20 World Cup to date saw them beat host nation France on penalties to bring home the bronze medal.

Sandy MacIver, who won one senior cap, won the best goalkeeper award, while Georgia Stanway finished with the silver boot awarded to the second-highest goalscorer.

Stanway is one of seven players who have gone on to win major honours with the senior side. The midfielder, along with Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, was part of the Lionesses squads that won back-to-back European Championships.

Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck was part of the 2022 triumph, while the defensive duo of Niamh Charles and Esme Morgan helped Sarina Wiegman’s side defend the trophy in 2025.

This group will serve as the most recent inspiration to the current U20 side and particularly given how integral they have been in the senior set-up.

Stanway is approaching her century caps, while Hemp and Russo have surpassed 50 and Kelly, of course, provided two of the most iconic moments in English football with her goal in the EURO 2022 final and her winning penalty in the 2025 final shootout.