England v Spain live: Team news and latest updates as Lionesses face rivals in World Cup qualifier at Wembley

Lauren James was so influential at Wembley last year when England beat Spain 1-0 in the Nations League.

The forward was forced off in the Euros final, however, after struggling with injury following her monumental efforts in the quarter-final against Sweden.

She will be pivotal to England’s hopes of keeping the ball in their chances with possession.

Lucy Bronze has set her sights on playing for England at the 2027 World Cup and is relishing the opportunity to face Spain once again at Wembley.

Bronze, who was key in England’s victory at Euro 2025 while playing the tournament with a fractured tibia, looked ahead to the game with ITV.

“We have a lot of respect for Spain. Us two together are two of the powerhouses in women’s football… we absolutely love playing them because it challenges you.

“It’s one of the most challenging games you can play. Winning against Spain confirms you deserve it because they are such a good team.”

Spain will be missing the injured Aitana Bonmati, who has been sidelined since breaking her leg in training in December, and there could be some new players on show as well.

The world champions have changed coaches since the Euros with Sonia Bermudez replacing Montse Tome following their Euros final defeat to England.

“Their DNA stays the same,” Sarina Wiegman said. “They really want to have the ball, play dynamically and go forward, in possession or out of possession.”

Spain, meanwhile, will be hungry for revenge and for a famous Wembley win.

Their rivalry with England has developed with Arsenal beating Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final last season before the Euros final followed a similar pattern.

There will be many in the Spain side beaten on both days, such as Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina, and Irene Parades, who may feel English opponents are owed one.

England captain Leah Williamson has not won her race to be fit in time for tonight’s clash, meaning a special night for Keira Walsh just got even bigger as she will wear the captain’s armband on her 100th cap.

Spain XI: Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Mapi Leon, Carmona, Caldentey, Guijarro, Putellas, Lopez, Gonzalez, Pina

Substitutes: Benitez, Codina, Corrales, Fernandez, Imade, Mendez, Nanclares, Navarro, Paralluelo, Misa, Serrajordi, del Castillo

England XI: Hampton, Bronze, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, Greenwood, Kendall, Walsh, Stanway, Hemp, Russo, James

Substitutes: Barry, Blindkilde Brown, Carter, Charles, Hinds, Kelly, Le Tissier, Mead, Moorhouse, Park, Parkinson, Roebuck

The Lionesses come into the test against Spain having won both of their games so far in World Cup qualifying. They began by beating Ukraine 6-1 in an away match that was played in Turkey, before beating Iceland 2-0 in Nottingham thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway.

Spain are also two-from-two. They recorded a 3-0 win over Iceland first before beating Ukraine 3-1.

The Lionesses are unbeaten in all nine of their previous games against Spain played in England, including the Euro 2022 quarter-final in Brighton and their last meeting, which was a 1-0 win for Sarina Wiegman’s side in the Nations League in February 2025.

Jess Park scored the only goal for the Lionesses in that 1-0 win. Excluding penalties, and that Euro 2025 final, obviously, Spain have not lost since then. They are technically unbeaten in 17 games.

It may appear a little odd that the two teams who competed in the World Cup final in August 2023 were drawn in the same qualifying group for the 2027 tournament in Brazil – even more so when their last clash came in the Euros final nine months ago.

There is only one direct qualification spot from a four-team group that also includes Ukraine and Iceland, which means one of England or Spain will have to qualify through the play-offs.

But this qualifying format makes a lot more sense than the previous iteration, when the Lionesses thrashed Latvia 20-0 and scored 80 goals in just eight matches on their road to the 2023 World Cup.

Uefa decided to bring in the Nations League system, a move that has suited teams at all levels, even if it has led to some complications for Sarina Wiegman’s side while they have thrived under pressure and became two-time European champions.

It’s set to be a special day for Keira Walsh, who could captain the Lionesses on what would be her 100th cap for the midfielder.

Walsh has been a critical part of England’s success under Sarina Wiegman and the 29-year-old said: “When I started playing football I never thought this would be possible, so I’m really excited.”

Wiegman said Walsh’s ability on the ball and in controlling midfield was even better then she thought from the outside, having been impressed with the former Manchester City, Barcelona and now Chelsea midfielder.

“She’s a very good player, very tactical, technical and enormous vision and game understanding.

“And when I came in, I thought ‘oh it’s even better than I thought’. The game understanding and being an important player in leading the team and how we want to play is crucial.”