England women's national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
England

Nickname(s)	The Lionesses
Association	The Football Association (The FA)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Sarina Wiegman
Captain	Leah Williamson
Most caps	Fara Williams (172)
Top scorer	Ellen White (52)
Home stadium	Wembley Stadium and others
FIFA code	ENG
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	4 1 (7 December 2018)
Highest	2 (March 2018; March 2024; August 2024)
Lowest	14 (June 2004 – September 2005)
First international
Scotland 2–3 England  (Greenock, Scotland; 18 November 1972)
Biggest win
England 20–0 Latvia  (Doncaster, England; 30 November 2021)
Biggest defeat
Norway 8–0 England  (Moss, Norway; 4 June 2000)
World Cup
Appearances	6 (first in 1995)
Best result	Runners-up (2023)
European Championship
Appearances	10 (first in 1984)
Best result	Champions (2022, 2025)
Nations League
Appearances	2 (first in 2023–24)
Best result	5th (2023–24)
Finalissima
Appearances	1 (first in 2023)
Best result	Champions (2023)
Medal record Women's football FIFA Women's World Cup Silver 2023 Australia–New Zealand Team Bronze 2015 Canada Team UEFA Women's Championship Gold 2022 England Team Gold 2025 Switzerland Team Silver 1984 Europe Team Silver 2009 Finland Team Bronze 1995 Europe Team Bronze 2017 Netherlands Team UEFA–CONMEBOL Women’s Finalissima Gold 2023 England

The England women's national football team, also known as the Lionesses, is one of the best football teams in the world. The team is managed by the Football Association (FA), which is in charge of football in England. The Lionesses played their first official game in 1972 against Scotland.

The Lionesses have had amazing success in recent years. They won the UEFA European Championship in 2022 in front of a home crowd at Wembley Stadium. This was a huge moment for English football. They won the championship again in 2025, proving they are one of Europe's top teams.

They have also played in the FIFA Women's World Cup six times. In 2015, they finished in third place. In 2023, they made it all the way to the final, finishing as runners-up.

History

Early Years and First Games

A program from the team's first match, signed by the players.

After the England men's team won the World Cup in 1966, more women and girls wanted to play football. The Women's Football Association (WFA) was created in 1969 to help organize the sport.

In 1972, the FA allowed women's teams to play on official football grounds. The first official England women's team was then put together. They played their first international match against Scotland on 18 November 1972. England won the game 3–2, with Sylvia Gore scoring the team's very first goal.

Becoming a Top Team

In 1984, England reached the final of the first-ever UEFA European Championship. They played against Sweden and lost in a close penalty shootout. This showed that England was becoming a strong team in Europe.

In 1993, the Football Association (FA) took over running the team. This was a big step for women's football in England. The team qualified for their first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1995, where they reached the quarter-finals.

Hope Powell became the team's first full-time head coach in 1998. Under her leadership, the team continued to grow. In 2009, players started getting "central contracts," which meant they could train full-time as professional athletes. That same year, the Lionesses reached the final of the 2009 Euros but lost to Germany.

World Cup Success

The England team celebrates their third-place finish at the 2015 Women's World Cup.

Under manager Mark Sampson, the Lionesses had a fantastic run at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. They reached the semi-finals for the first time ever. Although they lost to Japan, they went on to beat Germany to win the bronze medal. It was the best result for any senior England football team since 1966.

In September 2017, the FA decided a change of manager was needed. Phil Neville, a famous former player for Manchester United, took over. He led the team to win the 2019 SheBelieves Cup and finish fourth at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Golden Era: Wiegman's Lionesses

The England team in October 2022. Many of these players were part of the Euro-winning team.

In 2021, Sarina Wiegman became the manager, and she brought incredible success. She wanted the team to be powerful and score lots of goals. On 30 November 2021, England beat Latvia by a record-breaking score of 20–0.

European Champions

In 2022, England hosted the UEFA Women's Euro. The Lionesses played brilliantly, winning all their group games. They beat Spain in the quarter-finals and Sweden in the semi-finals.

On 31 July 2022, England played Germany in the final at a sold-out Wembley Stadium. The game was tied 1-1, but in extra time, Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal. England won 2-1, becoming European champions for the first time. The crowd of 87,192 was a record for a European Championship final.

World Cup Final and More Trophies

The team's success continued. In 2023, they won the first-ever 2023 Women's Finalissima against Brazil. At the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the Lionesses made it all the way to the final for the first time. They played with heart but lost 1-0 to Spain, finishing as the second-best team in the world.

In 2025, the Lionesses defended their title and won the European Championship again. They beat Spain in the final after a penalty shootout, showing their strength and resilience. This victory marked the first time an England senior team had won a major tournament away from home.

The Lionesses Nickname

The team is famously called the "Lionesses." This nickname was created in 2012 to give the team its own special identity, separate from the men's team, who are known as the "Three Lions." The name became very popular with fans and the media, especially on social media. It helps everyone celebrate the amazing achievements of the women's team.

Players

Current Squad

The following 23 players were chosen for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament.

Caps and goals are correct as of the match played 27 July 2025 against Spain.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Hampton, HannahHannah Hampton	(2000-11-16) 16 November 2000 (age 24)	22	0	Chelsea
13	1GK	Moorhouse, AnnaAnna Moorhouse	(1995-03-30) 30 March 1995 (age 30)	0	0	Orlando Pride
21	1GK	Keating, KhiaraKhiara Keating	(2004-06-27) 27 June 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Manchester City
2	2DF	Bronze, LucyLucy Bronze	(1991-10-28) 28 October 1991 (age 33)	140	20	Chelsea
3	2DF	Charles, NiamhNiamh Charles	(1999-06-21) 21 June 1999 (age 26)	29	0	Chelsea
5	2DF	Greenwood, AlexAlex Greenwood	(1993-09-07) 7 September 1993 (age 31)	105	7	Manchester City
6	2DF	Williamson, LeahLeah Williamson (captain)	(1997-03-29) 29 March 1997 (age 28)	64	5	Arsenal
12	2DF	Le Tissier, MayaMaya Le Tissier	(2002-04-18) 18 April 2002 (age 23)	8	0	Manchester United
15	2DF	Morgan, EsmeEsme Morgan	(2000-10-18) 18 October 2000 (age 24)	16	0	Washington Spirit
16	2DF	Carter, JessJess Carter	(1997-10-27) 27 October 1997 (age 27)	51	2	Gotham FC
22	2DF	Wubben-Moy, LotteLotte Wubben-Moy	(1999-01-11) 11 January 1999 (age 26)	13	1	Arsenal
4	3MF	Walsh, KeiraKeira Walsh (vice-captain)	(1997-04-08) 8 April 1997 (age 28)	93	2	Chelsea
8	3MF	Stanway, GeorgiaGeorgia Stanway	(1999-01-03) 3 January 1999 (age 26)	84	24	Bayern Munich
10	3MF	Toone, EllaElla Toone	(1999-09-02) 2 September 1999 (age 25)	65	23	Manchester United
14	3MF	Clinton, GraceGrace Clinton	(2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 22)	16	3	Manchester United
20	3MF	Park, JessJess Park	(2001-10-21) 21 October 2001 (age 23)	20	3	Manchester City
7	4FW	James, LaurenLauren James	(2001-09-29) 29 September 2001 (age 23)	34	9	Chelsea
9	4FW	Mead, BethBeth Mead	(1995-05-09) 9 May 1995 (age 30)	74	37	Arsenal
11	4FW	Hemp, LaurenLauren Hemp	(2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 (age 24)	70	19	Manchester City
17	4FW	Agyemang, MichelleMichelle Agyemang	(2006-02-03) 3 February 2006 (age 19)	5	3	Arsenal
18	4FW	Kelly, ChloeChloe Kelly	(1998-01-15) 15 January 1998 (age 27)	59	9	Arsenal
19	4FW	Beever-Jones, AggieAggie Beever-Jones	(2003-07-27) 27 July 2003 (age 22)	11	6	Chelsea
23	4FW	Russo, AlessiaAlessia Russo	(1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 26)	57	25	Arsenal

Team Records

Most Games Played

Fara Williams has played the most games for England, with 172 appearances.

These players have played the most games (or "caps") for the Lionesses.

Bold names show players who are still active.

Top Goalscorers

Ellen White is England's all-time top goalscorer with 52 goals.

These players have scored the most goals for England.

Bold names show players who are still active.

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

England reached the final of the World Cup in 2023 for the first time.

The Lionesses have played in six World Cups. They have reached the quarter-finals three times (1995, 2007, 2011). Their best performances were finishing third in 2015 and as runners-up in 2023.

FIFA World Cup Finals
Year	Result	Pos	P	W	D	L	GF	GA
1995	Quarter-finals	6th	4	2	0	2	6	9
2007	Quarter-finals	7th	4	1	2	1	8	6
2011		6th	4	2	2	0	6	3
2015	Third place	3rd	7	5	0	2	10	7
2019	Fourth place	4th	7	5	0	2	13	5
2023	Runners-up	2nd	7	5	1	1	13	4
Total	Runners-up	6 tournaments	33	20	5	8	56	34

     Runners-up       Third place       Fourth place  

UEFA European Championship

England won the Euros in 2022 at Wembley Stadium.

England has a great record in the Euros. They won the tournament in both 2022 and 2025. They were also runners-up in 1984 and 2009.

UEFA European Championship
Year	Result	Pos	P	W	D	L	GF	GA
1984	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	0	1	4	2
1987	Fourth place	4th	2	0	0	2	3	5
1995	Semi-finals	3rd	2	0	0	2	2	6
2001	Group stage	8th	3	0	1	2	1	8
2005		7th	3	1	0	2	4	5
2009	Runners-up	2nd	6	3	1	2	12	14
2013	Group stage	12th	3	0	1	2	3	7
2017	Semi-finals	3rd	5	4	0	1	11	4
2022	Champions	1st	6	6	0	0	22	2
2025	Champions	1st	6	3	2	1	16	7
Total	2 Titles	10 tournaments	40	20	5	15	78	60

     Champions       Runners-up       Semi-finalists       Fourth place

Honours

Major Tournaments

• FIFA Women's World Cup
  • Runners-up: 2023
  • Third place: 2015
• UEFA Women's Championship
  • Champions: 2022, 2025
  • Runners-up: 1984, 2009
• Women's Finalissima
  • Champions: 2023

Other Trophies

• Cyprus Cup
  • Champions: 2009, 2013, 2015
• SheBelieves Cup
  • Champions: 2019
• Arnold Clark Cup
  • Champions: 2022, 2023

See also

In Spanish: Selección femenina de fútbol de Inglaterra para niños

• Sport in England
  • Football in England
    • Women's football in England
• Great Britain women's Olympic football team
• England women's national under-23 football team
• England women's national under-19 football team
• England women's national under-17 football team
• England national football team, the men's national football team