England WU20s squad named for World Cup preparations

Lydia Bedford has named a 26-player England women's under-20s squad for upcoming fixtures against Canada and Japan as preparations are stepped up for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The Young Lionesses will travel to Pinatar, Spain, in June for a training camp and two international fixtures. Bedford’s side first face Canada on Wednesday 3 June (5pm BST) in a preview of their opening World Cup group stage match in Bielsko-Biała, Poland on Saturday 5 September. England will then take on Japan, who are also bound for the World Cup, on Tuesday 9 June (11am BST).

The camp marks the first time the WU20s squad has assembled as a full group this season, after players were previously split across the WU23s and WU19s during earlier international windows. Four further camps are scheduled across the summer as the Young Lionesses prepare for their first FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup appearance since 2018.

England have been drawn in Group B for September’s tournament alongside Brazil, Tanzania and Canada.

England v Canada
Wednesday 3 June, 5pm BST
WU20 international fixture
Murcia Stadium, Spain

England v Japan
Tuesday 9 June, 11am BST
WU20 international fixture
Murcia Stadium, Spain

Lydia Bedford said: “This is the first time we’ve come together as a full WU20s group in our World Cup preparations, so it’s a really exciting stage for us. There’s a lot still to build, and these camps are about starting that process properly as a group. It’s a privilege to be preparing for a World Cup, and there’s a real sense of excitement around what lies ahead. We’re also fortunate to have two very exciting fixtures against Canada and Japan, who will also be at the World Cup, which really helps create that buzz. We want to use every camp to strengthen our connections and build momentum towards September.”

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Eve Annets (Manchester City), Katie Cox (Chelsea, on loan to Aberdeen), Kaiya Jota (Stanford University)

Defenders: Ria Bose (West Ham), Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), Lucy Newell (Manchester United), Chloe Paxton (Sunderland), Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), Zara Shaw (Liverpool), Mari Ward (Bristol City), Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal, on loan to FC Rosengård)

Midfielders: Lola Brown (Chelsea), May Cruft (Rangers), Laila Harbert (Arsenal, on loan to Everton), Chloe Hylton (Carolina Ascent), Vera Jones (Chelsea), Erica Meg Parkinson (Valadares Gaia), Lexi Potter (Chelsea)

Forwards: Princess Ademiluyi (Gotham FC), Ava Baker (Birmingham City), Lily Dent (Brighton & Hove Albion), Denny Draper (Leicester City), Jessie Gale (Arsenal), Eva Hendle (Chelsea), Vivienne Lia (Arsenal, on loan to Hammarby), Lauryn Thompson (North Carolina Courage)