England captain Leah Williamson will miss the Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Spain in Palma and against Ukraine because of a hamstring injury.
The injury
The Arsenal defender, 29, had followed a rehabilitation programme in the hope of being available, but was not fit in time.
The matches
- Spain v England: Friday at 9pm at Son Moix, Palma. A draw would be enough for England to secure qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
- England v Ukraine: Tuesday 9 June at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
England lead the group with four wins from four matches, three points ahead of world champions Spain.
Call-ups
- Grace Fisk, the Liverpool defender, has been called up to strengthen the defence.
- Sophie Baggaley, the Brighton goalkeeper, joins as cover, with Manchester City’s Khiara Keating missing the Spain game while following concussion protocols.
A difficult period for Williamson
Williamson captained England to European Championship titles in 2022 and 2025. After Euro 2025 she had knee surgery, and since then she has played only a handful of matches for her country and started few games for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League.
Spain at Son Moix
The match brings the world champions to Mallorca, giving Balearic fans a rare chance to see the Spanish women’s team in action. Spain, who beat England in the 2023 World Cup final but lost to them in the Euro 2025 final on penalties, need a win to keep their hopes of topping the group alive.
The rivalry between the two teams has become one of the most intense in women’s football, and a full Son Moix is expected for a match that could decide the group.
The coach
England manager Sarina Wiegman will have to reorganise her defence without her captain, but has a deep squad to choose from. For Spain, the absence of England’s leader is a small advantage in a match that both teams consider decisive.
