by England vs Sweden – LIVE!
England begin their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign when they host Sweden at Wembley tonight. The Lions will be the defending champions in Switzerland next summer if they book their place as expected, although it could be a tricky group as they go up against France and Also the Republic of Ireland. Only the top two will automatically qualify.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were last in action in February, when they beat Austria 7-2 and then cruised to a 5-1 victory over Italy a few days later. Leah Williamson is now back in England and available, but the Arsenal defender has been tipped to wait for her first appearance for the Lionesses in a year, as she has been named on the bench.
Sweden are ranked sixth in the world and finished third at the World Cup last summer. They lost to Spain in the last four, as England were then beaten in the final. Follow all the action with the LIVE Standard Sport blog, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings and Dom Smith on the ground!
The latest news between England and Sweden
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Start: 8pm BST | Wembley Stadium
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How to watch: ITV
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England team news: Williamson on the bench
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Standard Sports Prediction: England win
Williamson on the bench
18:59 , Matt Verri
So Williamson has to wait to make her Lionesses debut in a year’s time. Imagine that coming off the bench at some point tonight.
Wubben-Moy and Greenwood are in the back, with Clinton and Stanway alongside Walsh in midfield.
An exciting starting line for England – James, Russo and Hemp.
England team news
18:49 , Matt Verri
Starting XI: Earps, Bronze, Wubben-Moy, Greenwood, Charles, Walsh, Stanway, Clinton, James, Russo, Hemp
Subsidiaries: Hampton, Rendell, Carter, Toone, Williamson, Kelly, Mead, Kirby, Daly, Park, Morgan, Turner
Lionesses schedule
18:41 , Matt Verri
After kicking off the qualification campaign tonight, England then travel to Dublin on Tuesday night to face the Republic of Ireland.
Sarina Wiegman’s side will then face France twice in the space of four days at the end of the season, before facing Sweden and Ireland again in July.
It’s a fairly quick process, assuming there’s no need to advance.
A new sporting look for England as the Euros bid begins
18:29 , Matt Verri
It’s just over seven months since the World Cup Final but, as the Lions begin the road to Euro 2025 tonight, there are signs that they are evolving under Sarina Wiegman.
England overcame injuries and disruptive disruptions to reach the final in Australia, before suffering heartbreak at the hands of Spain.
The team was then built around a defensive stronghold, when Wiegman converted to three goals during the middle of the contest master stroke.
The side that face Sweden at Wembley tonight will look different, however, and there should be excitement for what lies ahead.
Read Simon Collings’ full preview here!
Wiegman ‘surprised’ by friendly Arsenal
18:20 , Matt Verri
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman was “surprised” by Arsenal’s decision to arrange a post-season friendly in Australia just a week before England host France in a Euro 2025 qualifier.
The Gunners face the A League All Stars on May 24 in Melbourne, just six days after the final match of the Women’s Super League season.
The game could be a problem for England, who host France at St James’ Park on May 31 as they look to qualify for Euro 2025.
The Lionesses will travel to France four days later for the return leg in Saint-Etienne.
“I think with the calendar we’ve talked a lot about that — the windows, the crowded schedule — and those are a lot of challenges for the players, and for us as well,” Wiegman said.
“So we’re working towards summer now. We had very good discussions with the clubs.
“I was surprised by that trip [Arsenal are doing]. The competition ends at the end of May, then there is one week between them, and then we go into the international break.
“I think for all the players, who already have a complicated calendar, it’s not good for them to go to the other side of the world.”
More of the same?
18:12 , Matt Verri
The two sides met in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, with England booked in the final.
Alessia Russo scored a very special goal, with the Lionesses in ruthless form.
Sarina Wiegman is looking for exactly that kind of display tonight.
The stage is set!
18:03 , Matt Verri
All eyes on Wembley tonight – expect another huge crowd.
Standard Sports Forecast
17:55 , Matt Verri
England will be confident of a strong start to their campaign, even if Sweden can test them tonight.
Goals were not a problem for the Lionesses – we are backing them to come out on top in an entertaining encounter.
England to win, 3-1.
England team news
17:47 , Matt Verri
Leah Williamson is finally set to return to England, a year on from the Lionesses’ last appearance.
The Arsenal star missed the World Cup last summer after suffering a serious knee injury in April. Williamson was due to return to England last month for friendlies against Austria and Italy, but was forced to withdraw from the squad due to hamstring strain.
Goalkeeper Khiara Keating has returned to Manchester City and has been replaced in the squad by Southampton’s Kayla Rendell.
Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier has missed out on the squad and her teammate Millie Turner has been given the nod instead.
Chelsea defender Millie Bright, who captained England at last year’s World Cup, is still out with a knee injury.
How to watch England vs Sweden
17:39 , Matt Verri
TV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live and free to air in the UK on ITV1. Coverage begins at 7:30pm BST ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: The ITVX website and app, free with a subscription, will offer a live online streaming service.
LIVE Cover: Follow all the action right here, with expert analysis from Wembley reporters Simon Collings and Dom Smith.
Good evening!
17:31 , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England vs Sweden!
The Lions begin their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign tonight, as they look to build towards Switzerland next summer, where they will be defending champions if they qualify as expected.
We’ll have all the latest updates, news and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from Wembley!
