Ella Toone and Aggie Beever-Jones have been recalled to England’s squad for the final World Cup qualifying matches in June against Spain and Ukraine.
Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone missed action for the Lionesses after a knee injury and had not played since November. She returned to club football on 26 April and started United’s final two league games of the season against Brighton and Chelsea. Head coach Sarina Wiegman said the staff have not yet decided on starting line-ups or how many minutes players will get, adding they need to assess Toone in the England environment. “What I have seen looks good. Can she play 90 minutes at the highest level? I don’t know, but I know she can play,” Wiegman said, also stressing the squad has midfield options and will choose the best balance on the pitch.
Chelsea striker Aggie Beever-Jones is back after injury ruled her out of April’s camp. Team-mate Niamh Charles, who was added as an injury replacement last month, is retained in the squad. London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey also keeps her place; she has been involved in previous camps and, despite not yet earning a senior cap, scored six WSL goals and provided four assists for her club this season.
One player who does not return is 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson, a surprise inclusion in the previous squad. Wiegman said Meg Parkinson showed promise but still needs minutes to compete with the rest of the senior squad and is currently with the U20 World Cup team.
Another notable omission is Everton centre-back Ruby Mace. Wiegman explained Mace is performing well but plays in a different position to where England would select her, and faces heavy competition for defensive places.
England squad (in full):
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa).
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Jess Park (Manchester United), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea).
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
The Lionesses play Spain on 5 June in Majorca and conclude qualifying against Ukraine on 9 June at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. England lead Group A3 and sit three points clear of Spain: after four games England have 12 points and a +9 goal difference, Spain have nine points and a +9 goal difference, Iceland have three points (-5) and Ukraine remain on zero points (-13). A win against Spain would secure automatic qualification for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil; second place would mean going into the play-offs.
Wiegman emphasised the team will approach the fixtures to win and improve on recent performances against Spain, saying the Majorca match will be tough but that the squad aims to build on recent successes. England beat Spain at Wembley in April and defeated them in the Euro 2025 final last summer.
On Beth Mead, Sky Sports News analysis notes Wiegman remains keen to include the forward in her World Cup plans but that Mead’s next club choice will be crucial. The 31-year-old will be a free agent this summer after leaving Arsenal. Wiegman said it is very important Mead finds regular playing time; an offer is reportedly on the table from Manchester City, but Mead will want to avoid a situation where she struggles for minutes, as happened with another player who lost her place in the national team after limited club opportunities. Freya Godfrey’s breakout season also adds competition for forward positions.
Summary: Toone and Beever-Jones return to the squad, Freya Godfrey retains her place, Erica Meg Parkinson and Ruby Mace miss out, and England head into two decisive June qualifiers with a chance to secure automatic World Cup qualification against Spain in Majorca.