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Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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England Under-23 squad announced

Emma Coates has selected a 23-player squad for matches against Germany and Portugal.

The Young Lionesses are back in action and will begin the 2025-26 season with two fixtures in the WU23 European

competition.

Coates’ side will first travel away to play Germany on Thursday 23 October (17:15 BST), before welcoming Portugal to the Sixfields Stadium, home of Northampton Town, on Monday 27 October (19:00 GMT). Tickets for the first home match, which is in the half term week, can be purchased via this link, priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for under-14s.

England v Germany

Thursday 23 October, 17:15 BST

Sportpark Johannisau, Fulda, Germany

England v Portugal

Monday 27 October, 19:00 GMT

Sixfields Stadium, Northampton Town

The October international window presents familiar opposition for the Young Lionesses, who last played Germany in February, when Michelle Agyemang netted a brace in a 3-2 defeat in Walsall. The WU23s also played last season’s opening home match against Portugal, when Agyemang was again on the scoresheet in a 1-0 victory in Shrewsbury.

In the 2025-26 campaign, Coates’ Young Lionesses will again be competing in the WU23 European competition, which was created to help bridge the gap between the end of the development pathway and senior international football. England are in Group A, alongside Portugal, France, Germany and Norway.

Emma Coates said: “I’m really looking forward to the start of the new season and to bring the staff and players back together, as well as welcome some new faces into the squad. We want to start strongly, and we have two tough fixtures that will challenge us in different ways.

“There’s a real sense of excitement around the England pathway at the moment. We saw several young players who have come through the pathway play their part in the summer’s incredible EUROs victory, and Katie Reid and Lucia Kendall have just received their first senior call ups as well. The question I'll be asking the WU23s squad is who's next? It's going to be another really exciting season, and we can't wait to get started.”

England Under-23 squad:

Katie Cox Aberdeen, on loan from Chelsea

Faye Kirby Liverpool

Natalia Negri Ipswich Town

Cerys Brown London City Lionesses

Anouk Denton West Ham United

Naomi Layzell Manchester City

Gracie Prior Manchester City

Evie Rabjohn Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United

Hannah Silcock Liverpool

Jess Simpson Southampton, on loan from Manchester United

Mari Ward Bristol City

Sarah Brasero West Ham United

Laila Harbert Portland Thorns, on loan from Arsenal

Ruby Mace Everton

Olivia McLoughlin Leicester City

Lexi Potter Chelsea

Maisie Symonds Brighton & Hove Albion

Keira Barry Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United

Mia Enderby Liverpool

Freya Godfrey London City Lionesses

Isobel Goodwin London City Lionesses

Lenna Gunning-Williams Tottenham Hotspur

Georgia Mullett Aston Villa