England WU17s squad named for first fixture of the new season

New England women's under-17s head coach Kerri Welsh has selected a 24-player squad for a camp in Spain.

The Young Lionesses are back in action and will kick off the 2025-26 season with a fixture against Spain in Alicante on Wednesday 17 September (10.00am BST).

The match will mark Welsh’s first game in charge of the WU17s since she was appointed as head coach last month. The camp will be important preparation for Welsh and her squad as they gear up for round one of qualification for the 2026 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, with three qualifiers to be played in October.

Kerri Welsh said: “We’re really looking forward to coming together as a group and starting the season out in Spain. Facing a team of Spain’s quality is exactly the kind of test we need ahead of the first round of EURO qualification, where we know the games will come thick and fast against strong European opposition.

“On a personal level, I’m hugely excited for my first camp as head coach of the WU17s. There’s so much talent in this squad, and it’s a privilege to work with the players at such a crucial point in their development.”

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Evie Mitchell (Manchester United), Erin Walker (Manchester City), Freya Weeks (Chelsea)

Defenders: Zoe Ciccardini (Chelsea), Isabella Cowley (Arsenal), Emilie Gay (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sadie Gregory (Chelsea), Isla Law (Bristol City), Lucy Robinson (Manchester United), Katie Scott (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Bryony Brodie (Arsenal), May Cruft (Rangers), Lottie Day (Sheffield United), Romia Gagliano (FC Basel), Emma Smith (Manchester United), Gabriella Storey (Chelsea), Annabelle Tang (Arsenal), Kyri Teer-Hutchins (Arsenal)

Forwards: Cairo Antoine (Arsenal), Sophia Burton (Manchester City), Mia Dixon (Arsenal), Freya Hirons (Manchester City), Chelsea N’Drin (Liverpool), Jane Oboavwoduo (Manchester City)