Spain may be world champions but England are still to beat at Euro 2025. For the past three years, the Lionesses have had a target on their backs as European champions, though it has not always been easy to wear. So, at the start of the year, when Sarina Wiegman gathered her players for the start of their title defence, she began by telling them that there was nothing to defend. “It's a new challenge,” Wiegman said. “We call it the ‘new’ England.”
But talk of the ‘new England’ may be more of a motivation tactic than a reality. If England line up for their Euro 2025 opener with the same team that started their send-off friendly against Jamaica, only one player, in goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, will be making their first major tournament appearance. If England are unchanged against France, there will be 10 players starting who became European champions three years ago, nine if Lauren James is fit to start.
