The Lionesses kick off their Nations League campaign and begin to build up this summer’s Euro 2025 in Portugal. England kick off another important year with the opening fixture of their Women’s Nations League campaign against Portugal in the Algarve.
The Lionesses will hope to build form and momentum ahead this summer’s European Championships, where Sarina Wiegman’s side will be seeking to win a second consecutive title at Euro 2025. Before then, England will look to advance to the Nations League finals, with the tournament also playing a role in qualification towards the 2027 World Cup. The Lionesses will also play world champions Spain and Belgium in Group A3.
England face Spain at Wembley on Wednesday, in what is the first meeting of the teams since the Women’s World Cup final, but before then Wiegman will hope her side can make a winning start in Portugal. Follow live updates from the Nations League opener in tonight’s live blog, below.
Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton will likely compete with two-time Fifa ‘Best’ Award-winner Mary Earps for the starting spot in goal, while Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright and Leah Williamson could all feature in defence as Wiegman begins to mould her side ahead of Euro 2025 this summer. Niamh Charles and Jess Carter are competing for a place at left back.
Midfielders Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace have kept places in the squad after making their debuts in December, with Grace Clinton, Jess Park and Ella Toone competing for spots alongside Keira Walsh in midfield. In attack, there may be chances for Aggie Beever-Jones, Kelly and Jessica Naz if Wiegman decides to rest James and Alessia Russo ahead of the match against world champions Spain next week.
Sarina Wiegman is able to call upon Lauren James and Niamh Charles for the first time since the Euros qualifying campaign last year, while Nikita Parris has been included in the squad for the first time since 2022. Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly and Aston Villa’s Lucy Parker have replaced the injured Arsenal duo of Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy from the squad named last month by Sarina Wiegman.
The match kicks off at 7.45pm GMT on Friday, 21 February at the Estádio Municipal de Portimao in Portimao, Portugal. Viewers in the UK can watch the game live for free on ITV 1, while subscribers can also watch online via ITVX. Coverage will begin at 7.30pm.
England take on Portugal tonight in the first match of their 2025/26 Nations League campaign, with Sarina Wiegman’s side looking to get off to the perfect start in Group A3. The Lionesses have stayed in League A after finishing second to the Netherlands in Group A1 in the 2023/24 edition and coming second in their European Championship qualifying group.
And though tonight they face a Portugal team who only managed to qualify for Euro 2025 via the play-offs, England will also face Belgium and world champions Spain in Group A3, with group fixtures taking place between now and June before the tournament finals at the end of 2025.
