WU19s squad target EURO Finals spot

Lauren Smith has named her 21-player squad for the final round of qualifying for the 2026 UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championship.

Smith’s side will begin their campaign against Latvia on Thursday 9 April (16:30 BST), before facing Wales on Sunday 12 April (16:30 BST). The Young Lionesses will then take on hosts Switzerland on Wednesday 15 April (12:00 BST), with only the group winners progressing to this summer’s finals in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The WU19s will be aiming to qualify for their third successive European finals, having also secured a place at this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland in September following their
performance at last season’s tournament.

“Our objective is clear: to qualify for the under-19 finals," said Smith, who will be leaving her role following this international window.

"It’s never easy, with only one team progressing from the group, but the squad is focused and determined to do everything they can to secure their place. Playing in youth tournaments is vital for young player development, and we want to ensure the Young Lionesses are competing in as many finals as possible this year.

“On a personal note, I’m really sad to be leaving this group. It’s been a huge honour to lead them over the past two seasons, and I want to make sure we finish on a high."

England v Latvia
4.30pm BST, Thursday 9 April
Tissot-Arena, Biel, Switzerland

England v Wales
4.30pm BST, Sunday 12 April
Copet, Vevey, Switzerland

England v Switzerland
12pm BST, Wednesday 15 April
Tissot-Arena, Biel, Switzerland

The squad

Goalkeepers: Sophie Jackson (Tottenham Hotspur), Amy Liddiard* (Arsenal), Silvana Marshall Miranda (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nelly Las (Ipswich Town, on loan from Leicester City), Sacha Lewis (Manchester City), Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa), Niamh Peacock (Arsenal Academy, dual registration with Portsmouth), Zara Shaw (Liverpool), Simone Sherwood (Sheffield United, on loan from Leicester City), Cecily Wellesley-Smith (FC Rosengard, on loan from Arsenal)

Midfielders: Lola Brown (Crystal Palace, on loan from Chelsea), May Cruft (Rangers), Chloe Hylton (Carolina Ascent), Vera Jones (Bristol City, on loan from Chelsea), Sienna-Rose Wareing (Manchester United)

Forwards: Jessica Anderson (Manchester United), Layla Drury (Manchester United), Eva Hendle (Chelsea), Jhanaie Pierre (Tottenham Hotspur), Lois Shooter (Chelsea), Lauryn Thompson (North Carolina Courage)

*Please note that Amy Liddiard will be a training player for this camp