How is England shaping up for the upcoming Women's World Cup?

England is still basking in the glory of their second consecutive European Championship victory, but soon their focus will shift to the next major challenge on the horizon—the Women's World Cup.

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Just two years ago, the Lionesses made history by reaching the final in Australia, only to fall short against Spain with a score of 1-0. That defeat remains a notable gap in their collection of trophies. Manager Sarina Wiegman, who has already claimed the Euros title three times, has also faced the heartbreak of being a runner-up at a World Cup—once with the Netherlands and once with England. You can be sure she’s eager to achieve that elusive victory.

In 2027, the tournament will make its debut in South America, hosted by Brazil. So, what could the England team look like in two years, and how promising are their chances of lifting the trophy?

Which Lionesses might hang up their boots? 

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Lucy Bronze, the most seasoned player in the England squad, is also the oldest and will be 35 by the time the World Cup arrives. Despite her impressive collection of medals from both club and country, the World Cup remains the elusive trophy she hasn’t secured. After clinching their first European title, she expressed, "there's still one more we can get our hands on," indicating that she has unfinished business on her mind. Bronze has previously mentioned her intention to keep playing "unless my body gives up on me," and she shows no signs of letting age hinder her performance. Last season, she participated in 19 of Chelsea's 22 Women's Super League games during their title-winning campaign, and she started in every match for England at Euro 2025, where she earned a spot in UEFA's tournament team. However, she later revealed that she played in Switzerland with a fractured leg and dealt with a knee injury against Spain—potentially signaling that injuries may become a growing concern.

Other players in the current squad who will be over 30 during the World Cup in Brazil include Alex Greenwood, who is 31, Beth Mead, who is 30, and uncapped goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, also 30. Millie Bright, another player not included in the Switzerland squad and facing an uncertain future with England, will turn 32 next month, and her retirement wouldn’t come as a surprise. She opted out of Euro 2025, stating she could not perform at 100% mentally or physically, and although she is still held in high regard by coach Wiegman, two of the last three seasons have been marred by injuries.

Who could break into the starting XI? 

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Teenage striker Michelle Agyemang has been hard to ignore, making a significant impact in a short span of time. At just 19, she has earned five caps for England since her debut in April, scoring three unforgettable goals and playing a crucial role in England's European title defense. If she maintains this upward trajectory, she could soon challenge Alessia Russo for a starting position, although she might need to outshine her in club matches first, given that both play for Arsenal. There’s also a possibility that Wiegman may opt to deploy them together on the pitch. Another promising young talent is Grace Clinton, who has been frequently tipped for a regular starting role due to her impressive performances at Manchester United. The 22-year-old midfielder stepped up in the absence of the injured Georgia Stanway earlier this year, and Wiegman showed her confidence in Clinton during Euro 2025, bringing her on as a substitute in every knockout match except the one against Wales. Despite being loyal to Keira Walsh and Stanway in midfield, Wiegman might consider making a change since they didn't deliver the same level of impact in Switzerland as in previous tournaments, and Clinton could be the fresh face necessary to shake things up.

Alongside Agyemang and Clinton, other talents like striker Aggie Beever-Jones, midfielder Jess Park, and defender Maya le Tissier also debuted at their first major tournament. With two more years of experience before the World Cup in Brazil, they could see their roles expand significantly. Le Tissier, the 23-year-old Manchester United captain, has often been overlooked by Wiegman, but her performance at the club level is impressive. The defense is an area where England may undergo the most changes, as their performance in Switzerland raised some questions after conceding seven goals in six matches. Though Leah Williamson and Bronze have been mainstays at the back, there are still unresolved positions like centre-back and left-back, and the manager will be eager for first-choice candidates to step up and form a solid back four. During the summer Euros, Wiegman successfully mixed youth and experience, but there’s a lot to achieve in the coming two years to help develop some of these young players into starters for international tournaments. Other defenders competing for positions include Esme Morgan, 24, of Washington Spirit, who made one start at Euro 2025, as well as uncapped players Lucy Parker, 26, from Aston Villa, and Ella Morris, 22, from Tottenham, both of whom have received call-ups within the past year.

Who will pose the biggest threat to England? 

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It’s tough to overlook the United States and Spain. The USA's team is now under the guidance of Englishwoman Emma Hayes, who has propelled them back to the top of the world rankings after a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where they exited in the last 16. Before that setback, they had claimed victory in the previous two World Cups. They rebounded from their disappointment in Australia by winning the Olympics in Paris last summer, just three months after Hayes took the helm, positioning them as strong contenders for the trophy in Brazil. On the other hand, Spain holds the World Cup title and came heartbreakingly close to claiming the European title as well, losing to England in a penalty shootout at Euro 2025. During the tournament in Switzerland, they demonstrated their top-tier capabilities, proving to be a challenging opponent for any team. The emergence of Barcelona midfielder Vicky Lopez, who is just 19, indicates that Spain continues to produce exceptional talent poised to shine in Brazil.

Weather conditions could also influence performance, as American and Spanish players are more used to hotter climates compared to the Lionesses, most of whom play in England. However, history shows that a northern European team can excel in challenging environments—even Germany’s triumph in the 2014 men's World Cup in Brazil stands as testimony to this. Brazil, as the host nation, is expected to thrive in the warm climate and will benefit from the passionate support of local fans. Their previous tournament in 2021 was disappointing, as they failed to progress beyond the group stage with Jamaica finishing ahead of them. Nevertheless, a year later, they delivered an impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, eliminating the likes of hosts France and Spain en route to the final. What better way to pursue their first international title than on home soil? It would be remiss not to mention two-time champions Germany, as well as the consistently undervalued France and former champions Japan, each of whom has the potential to compete at the highest level in major tournaments.