Ukraine vs England live: Latest Lionesses team news and updates from Women’s World Cup qualifier

A quintet of Euro 2025 winners have returned to the England squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers, while London City Lionesses defender Poppy Pattinson has earned a first senior call-up.

The Lionesses boss added: “They [Ukraine] changed their coach in January, so that will probably give some more challenges but they’re a direct team.

“They have some pace and some players up front that can make a difference – especially from the wings, they can be very dangerous. We want to have the ball a lot and we really want to challenge them.

“We’ll probably force them back a bit and need to be aware of their counter-attacks. That’s mainly what we expect.

“We really want to be tight on the ball and challenge them a lot, give them a lot of question marks how to defend us.”

England have been boosted by the returns of formerly injured players and Sarina Wiegman has a full cohort to select from.

As she begins her preparations for another World Cup it’ll be interesting to see how Wiegman chooses her matchday squad today.

She said:” The players are good. Everyone’s available.

“This is what you want to know. Everyone will be on the pitch which is good and is nice to have.

“We have a squad of 25 and for tomorrow is 23 and that’s a very good thing to have, to be able to train with everyone on the pitch.”

“We did have reassurances,” Sarina Wiegman admitted after being asked about concerns over playing in Turkey.

“We’re in close contact with our government but also with the people here that are responsible.

“Our security team is really in contact with them and we’re fine here but they keep an eye on it and are in contact with them all the time, with the responsible authorities here too.”

Sarina Wiegman offered her sympathies to the Ukranian team who have been forced to play their international matches in Turkey due to the ongoing war in their home country.

The England boss admitted that is was a ‘really sad’ feeling for her and the Lionesses as they want Ukraine to be able to play in front of their home fans.

“Of course, we think about that because is really sad,” Wiegman said.

“We do have great facilities here. The climate is really good, so we can prepare really well but the reason we’re here is not nice because you want Ukraine to be able to play in their home country, so that makes it all really sad.

“Also, they had to travel a lot themselves to get here. The things they have in front of them in their country is just really horrible.

“We just hope that this game unites a bit and of course, it’s competitive but also, it’s an opportunity for Ukraine to show themselves to the world in another way where hopefully football unites and brings some joy.”

Former Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps has revealed regrets over comments made in the autobiography she released last year, explaining that “there were clearly things that I could have done better”.

Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has been included in the squad for the first time since the Euro 2025 final after recovering from a long-term knee problem.

The defender is joined by Hannah Hampton, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James as notable names returning to the squad, while London City Lionesses’ left-back Poppy Pattinson has earned a first call-up. Ella Toone, however, is out with a hip injury.

Predicted England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Le Tissier, Greenwood, Hinds; Walsh, Stanway; James, Park, Hemp; Russo

Ukraine are set to lean on the attacking exploits of Glasgow City striker Nicole Kozlova, who has nine goals and five assists to her name in Scotland’s top flight this term.

Predicted Ukraine XI: Samson; Korsun, Kotik, Shainyuk, Shmatko; Kozlova, Kalinina, Petryk, Semkiv, Ovdiychuk; Kravchuk

Viewers in the UK can watch the game on ITV4, with coverage starting at 4:30pm GMT. Fans can also stream the match on ITVX.

Ukraine’s clash with England kicks off at 5pm GMT on Tuesday 3 March at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey.