Wiegman to make late decision on Williamson´s fitness ahead of Spain test

Sarina Wiegman revealed a late decision will be made on whether Leah Williamson will be available for England’s World Cup qualifier with Spain.

England won their opening League A Group 3 fixtures against Ukraine and Iceland last month, though a reunion with the world champions looks set to be their sternest test.

Sonia Bermudez’s side are also perfect after their two qualifying matches, with this their first meeting against Spain since a 1-0 win at Wembley Stadium in February 2025.

The Lionesses are unbeaten in all nine of their previous games against Spain played in England (W6 D3), though both teams come into Tuesday’s clash in good form.

England remain unbeaten and have not conceded across their last 24 World Cup qualifying matches at home (W22 D2), since losing 1-0 to France in a play-off match in October 2002 at Selhurst Park.

Spain, meanwhile, are unbeaten in each of their last 17 matches in all competitions (W15 D2 – excluding shoot-outs), since that loss against England last year. It is their best run since going 24 games without defeat between March 2020 and July 2022.

And the visitors’ task could be made that little easier here, with Williamson continuing to struggle with a niggling hamstring injury that she sustained in the middle of March.

“Leah Williamson is a question mark for tomorrow – she’ll be on the pitch today, and we’ll make the decision after this training session,” Wiegman said.

“She doesn’t have to prove anything. We balance it, we’ve been careful with her. She’s good in the plan, but I don’t want to give anything more away. She’s moving forward well.”

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It will be a special day at Wembley for many reasons, with Kiera Walsh looking set to make her 100th appearance for the Lionesses.

The Chelsea midfielder will become the 15th player to reach that milestone for the Lionesses, and the first since Alex Greenwood, who did so at the 2025 Euros.

“It’s a very exciting moment, we don’t know the team yet,” Walsh said. “For sure when I started playing football I never thought this would be possible, so I’m really excited.”

Wiegman said of Walsh: “She’s a very good player, very tactical, technical and enormous vision and game understanding.

“And when I came in, I thought she was even better than I thought. The game understanding and being an important player in leading the team and how we want to play is crucial.

“These are very competitive games, you want to qualify for the World Cup, but when you’re allowed to play at Wembley again and against Spain, it’s really exciting.”

Mary Earps’ England career will also be celebrated on Tuesday, after the Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper announced her shock retirement ahead of the Euros.

After losing her place to Hannah Hampton before last year’s Euros, Earps criticisised Wiegman’s decision to restore Hampton to the Lionesses squad in her autobiography.

Earps then revealed regrets over comments made in the autobiography and said she “learned some tough lessons” during the fallout, but Wiegman said she has put the incident behind her and hopes she will be given a warm reception at Wembley.

“What happens, some people are disappointed, some find her inspirational – let’s cherish the moment we have had – Mary’s had a great career, she was the world’s best and now she has moved on,” Wiegman said.

“We celebrate her tomorrow night [Tuesday]. It shows what she’s done for the game and for England.

“She’s an inspiration for so many people, particularly for young goalkeepers who she has inspired. She deserves a great farewell and that’s tomorrow, and I hope we celebrate her.”