England squad announcement live: Lionesses team for Euro 2025 to be named after Millie Bright withdraws

It’s been quite a 10 days for England ahead of this squad announcement…

It all began with Mary Earps’s sudden retirement last Tuesday as the 53-capper, who was twice named the Best Fifa Women’s goalkeeper, hung up her gloves after being informed that she would be a back-up to new No 1 Hannah Hampton this summer.

“I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally,” said Earps “It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players.

“I’ve spent a long time making this decision and it’s not one I’ve made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive.”

Ahead of Tuesday’s loss to Spain, England boss Sarina Wiegman revealed she is “pretty close” to knowing her squad for the upcoming European Championship.

The Lionesses are defending their title as the competition begins in Switzerland on July 2.

Speaking about how close she is to knowing her Euros squad, Wiegman told a press conference: “We’re pretty close. Still of course you want to make the final decisions, but we’re pretty close.”

One player not involved in the current England camp is Lauren James, who has been absent since April with a hamstring injury, but Wiegman is optimistic the forward will be available and can “make a difference” in the Euros.

The England boss said: “We already said we’re trying to get her fit, she’s trying to get fit with all the support from Chelsea and all the support from us.

“She’s doing really well and moving forward. She needs to tick some boxes and when she does we can progress.”

You can only ride your luck for so long. If you are up against the best, if you are firmly on the back foot, then eventually you are going to get punished.

That was the case for England against Spain. They faced constant aggression, were often penned back in their own half, struggled to go forwards, and, after Claudia Pina came off the bench and turned the tide for the hosts, departed Barcelona with a 2-1 defeat and having missed out on a chance to top their Nations League group.

Before Pina’s double, England had benefitted from a handful of refereeing decisions, a well-taken Alessia Russo opener and the hosts’ lack of final-third ruthlessness, but their performance was not one deserving of a victory. They tried to cling on, but doing so was an impossible test.

Read Adam Millington’s full breakdown of a disappointing 2-1 defeat in Spain:

England manager Sarina Wiegman names her squad for Euro 2025 today but there have already been three huge shocks before the Lionesses attempt to win back-to-back European Championships in Switzerland this summer.

On Tuesday night, former Euros winner Fran Kirby announced her international retirement after being informed that she would be missing out on England’s 23-player squad for the tournament.

The midfielder is the second star player to retire before the Euros, with goalkeeper Mary Earps stunningly deciding to hang up her gloves after losing her starting spot. Add to that, key defender Millie Bright has withdrawn from selection due to mental and physical burnout.

Those withdrawals have thrown a spanner into the works but Jamie Braidwood has had a crack at predicting England’s 23 for the tournament:

Sarina Wiegman will name her 23-strong Lionesses squad at 2pm this afternoon at England’s usual training base, St George’s Park.

Wiegman will then face the media from 2.30pm as she answers questions put to her by the world’s press.

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England Women’s Euro 2025 squad announcement from St George’s Park.

It’s been a tumultuous 10 days for the Lionesses with multiple shock retirements and withdrawals, so Sarina Wiegman will be keen to get her 23 named and return focus to next month’s title defence