England's World Cup top 40: Who is most likely to make Sarina Weigman's squad in 2027?

Keira Walsh, left, and Lauren Hemp are two mainstays of Sarina Weigman's England team Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images Share articleFour wins from four and England sit top of their 2027 World Cup qualifying group. The reigning European champions impressed in their 1-0 victory over Spain and though the second half against Iceland tested England’s nerve (and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton’s prowess), England again won 1-0, demonstrating the steely tenacity that has so often pushed them onto the right side of fine margins.  Head coach Sarina Wiegman made just two changes to her starting XI between Spain on Tuesday and Iceland on Saturday, with captain Leah Williamson returning after a month out with a hamstring injury to replace Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Laura Blindkilde Brown coming in for Lucia Kendall.  Using all five substitutes against Iceland provided a reminder of the depth at Wiegman’s disposal as she considers who might make the cut for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with 26 places up for grabs. Work still needs to be done for England to qualify as group winners (they sit three points clear of second-placed Spain, who host the reverse fixture in June), but the end of April’s international break offers us a chance to take stock. The Athletic has cobbled together a list of the 40 players most likely to make the cut for next summer’s tournament in Brazil.  The following is an educated guess and it’s important not to get too bogged down in the numbers. These aren’t strict rankings and the names will change as the year progresses — though it’s safe to say the players towards the top are England’s key protagonists. The cog that keeps the England machine ticking. If Walsh is on form, England play well. There have been struggles in her first full season at Chelsea but Wiegman trusts her enormously, handing her the captain’s armband in Williamson’s absence for her 100th cap in the 1-0 win over Spain. The perennial concern is a quality backup option for her and that’s why Walsh remains the player England simply cannot do without. England’s clear No 1 — this time last year, there was still a debate between her and Mary Earps — showed her class with an acrobatic save to deny Spain an equaliser in stoppage time and was then absolutely sensational in the second half against Iceland. Her distribution was not always reliable at Wembley but mostly, it provided England’s best route to attack on the counter. An excellent international break, assisting England’s only goal against Spain with an unusual scooped pass for Lauren Hemp before the roles were reversed for the only goal against Iceland, a smart finish on the run from Hemp’s pass. The Arsenal striker scored the Euro 2025 final equaliser and is in good form for Arsenal, scoring against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals. England have played 19 tournament games under Wiegman and Stanway has started them all. The energetic all-round midfielder will surely start every match next summer too, barring fitness problems — and assuming she settles well at her new club, as she has announced she is leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season. Will be 35 years old next summer but her performance against Spain last week shows that those trademark driving runs remain crucial. Besides, right-back remains a position where England have no clear, natural backup. England’s captain will always start if fit, although given the solid performances of Wubben-Moy and others, England can more easily absorb an injury at centre-back than at right-back or in midfield. Another sure starter on the wing who reacted first to score England’s opener at Wembley. Unfortunate not to score a second, hitting the woodwork following a cheeky backheel from Bronze. Can provide an alternative No 9 option. Finally established in England’s first XI. For all her trickery in the final third, James has gone up in Wiegman’s estimations due to her increased defensive diligence. Deployed as a winger against strong opposition, Wiegman has also used James as a central attacking midfielder in games where England are likely to dominate possession.  Had not played for England since October due to injury but went straight back into the starting XI. Wiegman seems to prefer her at left-back rather than centre-back, where she plays for Manchester City. Has played in every game bar one, due to illness, since Euro 2025 and is increasingly becoming a mainstay under Wiegman — she has remained the constant as Wiegman has brought in Maya Le Tissier, Wubben-Moy and Williamson alongside her. Tidy and proficient in an unfamiliar centre-back partnership with Wubben-Moy to thwart Spain, and good at bringing the ball forward against Iceland. Out injured for this camp but remains one of Wiegman’s trusted players, and neither of her stand-ins was overwhelmingly impressive. Russo’s status as the undisputed first-choice striker works in Toone’s favour — on and off the pitch, they have a great relationship. A very good season with Arsenal, in part thanks to Williamson’s injury problems, means she was trusted to start against Spain, and Wubben-Moy performed excellently. However, much as is often the case at club level, Williamson returned to England’s starting XI as soon as she was fit. Wubben-Moy has been in all three of Wiegman’s tournament squads without playing a minute — she is, at least, closer to being a first choice than ever. Almost exclusively used as a super-sub but Kelly’s track record of delivering huge moments makes her one of England’s key players. Absent from the February camp due to injury and did not feature in the blockbuster fixture against Spain, although she came in as England laboured in the second half against Iceland. Mead has started 10 of Arsenal’s 17 WSL matches this season, and with her contract expiring in June — the same month as England’s final two qualifiers — her next move feels crucial. Started every game bar the semi-final at Euro 2025 but has since fallen down the pecking order. Given the centre-back options available and more depth at left-back, Wiegman seems to see Carter’s role as a squad player.  A relatively quiet season for Chelsea means she’s no closer to securing her place in the England starting XI, but she remains a very useful backup for Russo. Given Toone’s absence, Park will be disappointed not to be handed a start against Spain or Iceland, with Kendall and Blindkilde Brown handed opportunities to impress. The consolation is that neither nailed down the role. Park has enjoyed a good season for Manchester United, showing what she’s capable of when allowed freedom. If Wiegman can find a similarly important role, England will be all the better for it. Has made quite the impression since making her debut in October, from scoring her first goal in the 2-0 against Ghana in December to holding her own in the No 10 position against Spain’s midfield in midweek. England have long lacked depth in central areas but the 21-year-old helps fill the gap.   This time last year, after just 41 seconds, she made her presence known on the international stage — foreshadowing her role as super-sub at Euro 2025 — but has been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in England’s 3-0 win against Australia in October.  The goalkeeper is getting regular minutes for Orlando Pride and also started in the 8-0 win over China in November, so seems Hampton’s backup. Tends to get a good run of starts outside of major tournaments — and then finds herself as a backup at the tournaments themselves. Although a right-footed left-back, she offers more attacking quality than other options, but now Greenwood seems established in that role, rather than in the middle. It remains somewhat peculiar that Wiegman continues to think of Le Tissier, a dependable centre-back for Manchester United, exclusively as a backup to Bronze at right-back. But with Williamson, Greenwood, Morgan, Wubben-Moy and Carter ahead of her in the pecking order in the middle, she very much knows her role. Hasn’t been capped since 2023 but back in the WSL with Aston Villa and back in Wiegman’s squad as a reliable reserve ‘keeper. Having been a midfield mainstay of the Manchester City team within touching distance of their first WSL title in a decade, she deserved her start against Iceland, although she didn’t do anything to secure her place in the side. Has also fallen behind Sam Coffey in the pecking order for City, which isn’t ideal with the third England midfield spot still up for grabs.  Her switch to Manchester City hasn’t quite provided the rejuvenation she might have hoped. Clinton has only started two WSL games and missed this camp through injury.  Was forced to withdraw from the latest squad due to injury, and is uncapped at senior level. Nevertheless, she is highly regarded because of her displays for England’s youth teams and if she explodes into a consistent WSL goalscorer next season at London City Lionesses, Godfrey could travel to Brazil. The 26-year-old Arsenal left-back wouldn’t have been on this list six months ago — but she switched her allegiance back to England from Jamaica in October and has been a regular in Wiegman’s squad since, featuring in both World Cup qualifiers in March. England’s limitations on both flanks make Hinds a good squad asset, but she needs regular minutes at Arsenal next season to maintain her place in the squad.  Two seasons ago, she was Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper and England’s third-choice. Now she’s a backup at City and has slipped out of Wiegman’s thinking. At 21, there’s every chance she will work her way back into the squad. The most interesting outsider. An England youth captain at various levels, Mace was signed by Everton from Leicester City for a club-record fee last summer. Mace arrived ready to be the deep-lying midfield lynchpin Everton needed. Instead, the 22-year-old has been used as a right-sided centre-back and has fared well, showcasing her playmaking on the ball and demonstrating an innate knack for box defending. The problem, of course, is that England are not lacking in the centre-back position. Whether Mace’s versatility tips the scales in her favour remains to be seen — she’s more likely to make the squad if she’s deployed in midfield at club level.  The 20-year-old forward has impressed for the under-23s and was called up to Wiegman’s recent camp. Based in the United States with Bay FC, she’s relying on injuries — or a great year of form — to make the World Cup squad. Regularly touted as a future England stalwart by Spurs’ staff, her first senior England call-up last May was blighted by an ACL injury on the first day of camp. On April 6, 331 days later, the 23-year-old right-back made her competitive return for Tottenham, putting her back in the picture for the World Cup. Given England’s lack of coverage at right-back, Wiegman will be pleased.  Born in Singapore and playing in Portugal, the 18-year-old was an intriguing selection for the recent camp. Perhaps a move to the WSL would increase her chances of selection, but regular first-team minutes in a gentler league might be best for her long-term development. A similar story to Morris: a talented young defender who received her first call-up in October, but suffered an ACL injury shortly afterwards. Was a regular for Arsenal at the start of the season, but with so many centre-back options ahead of her, Reid, 19, is probably one for Euro 2029. Made her debut as a substitute away at Spain last year — a baptism of fire — and was in consecutive England squads after Euro 2025, starting against Ghana in December. In March, the Aston Villa midfielder posted on social media that she had had a miscarriage.  Has yet to be capped by England but was called up for the March qualifiers against Iceland and Ukraine. The 28-year-old is experienced and versatile, capable of playing as a right-back when needed, which could prove useful for Wiegman, though the pecking order remains crowded.  The versatile 22-year-old defender came on as a late substitute in England’s 2-0 win over Ghana in December, shortly before moving from West Ham United to Bay FC. Was back in the under-23 squad this week. Called up to her first senior squad in February and made her debut in the second half against Ukraine, but the 25-year-old was not recalled this time around. Her peak was around the time of the 2019 World Cup, but Parris was capped twice last April, was in the squad again last summer, and is clearly not completely out of the picture if other wingers suffer injury problems. The 27-year-old defender has not been capped for England but she was a backup for Euro 2025. She has impressed with Aston Villa this season and could be a backup option if injuries strike.  The 25-year-old winger was last called up for the October friendlies against Australia and Brazil, but didn’t feature. While her pace and penchant for getting into good spaces are admirable, her lack of end product still leaves much to be desired. She suffered an ACL injury in December, meaning she will have limited time to prove herself.  Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms