Published 01 July 2026 4 min read
Women's U20s
England WU20s head stateside for World Cup preparation camp
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Lydia Bedford has named a 24-player squad for fixtures against the USA and Colombia as preparations continue for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
PLAY WOMEN & GIRLS' FOOTBALL
The Young Lionesses will travel to US Soccer’s National Training Centre, just south of Atlanta, Georgia for a training camp and two international fixtures. Bedford’s side first face their American hosts on Thursday 9 July (18:00 EST / 23:00 BST) before playing Colombia, who like England and the USA have also qualified for the World Cup, on Wednesday 15 July (kick-off time TBC).
The camp is the third of four scheduled this summer as England continue their preparations for a first FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup appearance since 2018.
England have been drawn in Group B for September’s tournament in Poland alongside Brazil, Tanzania and Canada. They will get their campaign underway against Canada on Saturday 5 September in Bielsko-Biała.
The camp is the third of four scheduled this summer as England continue their preparations for a first FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup appearance since 2018.
England have been drawn in Group B for September’s tournament in Poland alongside Brazil, Tanzania and Canada. They will get their campaign underway against Canada on Saturday 5 September in Bielsko-Biała.
England v USA
Thursday 9 July, 18:00 EST / 23:00 BST
WU20 international fixture
Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, Fayetteville, Georgia
England v Colombia
Wednesday 15 July, kick-off TBC
WU20 international fixture
Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, Fayetteville, Georgia
Lydia Bedford said: "We're really looking forward to getting out to the USA and spending some valuable time together as a group. For many of the players, it's an exciting opportunity to travel and experience a different environment, and that's all part of their development. Playing against two strong teams in the USA and Colombia will give us a great opportunity to challenge ourselves and continue building towards the World Cup. Every camp is another chance for the players to grow, strengthen our connections as a team and keep moving in the right direction ahead of September."
England Squad:
Goalkeepers: Katie Cox (Chelsea), Kaiya Jota (Stanford University), Sophia Poor (London City Lionesses)
Defenders: Ria Bose (West Ham), Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), Grace McEwen (Brighton & Hove Albion, Lucy Newell (Manchester United), Chloe Paxton (Sunderland), Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal, on loan to FC Rosengård)
Midfielders: Lola Brown (Chelsea), May Cruft (Rangers), Laila Harbert (Arsenal), Chloe Hylton (Carolina Ascent), Vera Jones (Chelsea), Lexi Potter (Chelsea)
Forwards: Princess Ademiluyi (Gotham FC), Lily Dent (Brighton & Hove Albion), Denny Draper (Leicester City), Layla Drury (Manchester United), Jessie Gale (Arsenal), Eva Hendle (Chelsea), Eleanor Klinger (Stanford University), Vivienne Lia (Arsenal, on loan to Hammarby)
Thursday 9 July, 18:00 EST / 23:00 BST
WU20 international fixture
Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, Fayetteville, Georgia
England v Colombia
Wednesday 15 July, kick-off TBC
WU20 international fixture
Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, Fayetteville, Georgia
Lydia Bedford said: "We're really looking forward to getting out to the USA and spending some valuable time together as a group. For many of the players, it's an exciting opportunity to travel and experience a different environment, and that's all part of their development. Playing against two strong teams in the USA and Colombia will give us a great opportunity to challenge ourselves and continue building towards the World Cup. Every camp is another chance for the players to grow, strengthen our connections as a team and keep moving in the right direction ahead of September."
England Squad:
Goalkeepers: Katie Cox (Chelsea), Kaiya Jota (Stanford University), Sophia Poor (London City Lionesses)
Defenders: Ria Bose (West Ham), Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), Grace McEwen (Brighton & Hove Albion, Lucy Newell (Manchester United), Chloe Paxton (Sunderland), Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal, on loan to FC Rosengård)
Midfielders: Lola Brown (Chelsea), May Cruft (Rangers), Laila Harbert (Arsenal), Chloe Hylton (Carolina Ascent), Vera Jones (Chelsea), Lexi Potter (Chelsea)
Forwards: Princess Ademiluyi (Gotham FC), Lily Dent (Brighton & Hove Albion), Denny Draper (Leicester City), Layla Drury (Manchester United), Jessie Gale (Arsenal), Eva Hendle (Chelsea), Eleanor Klinger (Stanford University), Vivienne Lia (Arsenal, on loan to Hammarby)
