The Camp Life Quiz with Leah Williamson

Named in the Lionesses squad for the first time since winning UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, England captain Leah Williamson is back.

From what she’s currently watching on TV to her go-to meal, the Arsenal defender discusses what life is like on international duty.

What is one essential item you’re packing in your suitcase for camp?

My speaker!

What about one luxury item?

My iPad. It has no applications apart from streaming platforms. I’m currently watching Love Story – JFK Jr. It’s good. I just finished Heated Rivalry. I’m going through all the popular ones at the minute.

How do you like to spend your downtime on camp?

Travelling and watching things obviously, especially on a game day when you’ve got so much time and you need to chill. You’ve got to think, you’re on camp and you need to sit down sometimes – that’s part of your job also to rest. But I literally just hang out with Keira and Georgia as much as possible and the girls.

Who would you sit next to on a plane or bus journey to a game?

Keira. She’s just my best mate. She just knows me well enough that I would know when to leave her alone. To be honest, sometimes she goes a bit rogue. Me and Georgia used to be roommates, so I feel like we also have that bond but I’ve just known Keira all my life.

What kind of character or personality would you say you are within the group and how would your teammates describe you?

I feel like I’m the brunt of the jokes but I’m OK with playing that role! I’m quite serious and quite mature. I’ve always been sort of beyond my years in that sense which can make me a bit boring but I’d like to think good vibes. I think people can tell when I’m not in a good mood. I think just keeping it real.

What is your favourite meal to eat on camp?

I like breakfast. I’m always just so hungry. I have a nice omelette. If not that, we have pulled pork bao buns that I like. I haven’t seen them in a while actually.

What is your favourite part of training?

Definitely not the warm-up. We play small-sided games on a matchday minus-one. It’s just all-out football. I wouldn’t say I’m the highest performer but I try my best. Lucy’s great because she dives in front of everything.

Talk us through your pre-match routine.

A nap. Always have a big nap if possible. It’s very hard on a day like a final because you just don’t sleep. I’d say that’s it really. I do my sudoku on the bus, too.

What kind of music do you listen to before a game?

Any genre. Whatever I’m feeling. It’s not in relation to the game – it’s how I’m just in my head. I could go as slow as Adele and as quick as rap like Eminem or something. They’re two real big extremes but literally anything. Before the Champions League final, I think I was playing Elvis Presley’s Return to Sender. There’s a real range here.

Talk us through your post-match routine.

I just think I’d go and see my family as much as possible. You’ve got to think, we’re away for so long, so especially if they come to a game, I want to go and see them. Just recover – protein shake. When I was younger, I definitely didn’t do what I do now – let’s put it that way.

What is your favourite thing about being on camp?

It is the football but it’s probably more so my mates. I like the people here and I like my manager. I have a good time.

How would you sum up pulling on an England shirt and representing your country?

The highest honour in football. One of those things that you know one day, a bit like leaving school, not that you want to leave here but everyone’s like ‘you’re going to wish one day that you could just go back’ and I feel like I’ll always have that feeling. Even when it’s time to not be a part of England anymore, I feel like I’ll always, always want to be a part of this in some way.

What is your favourite moment during your England career?

EUROs 2022 final whistle. Nothing again will ever beat that I don’t think. It was massive, massive relief. Tiredness but I just felt like everything was right, like I didn’t need to do anything in my life in that moment. There’s always something to be done but not then.

What is one piece of advice your younger self would’ve given you now that you’re in this position, playing for England?

I just think maybe just be a bit more chill. You’re a very serious person – just chill out and have a bit more fun because you come back round to it in the end anyway.