Leah Williamson: England captain ruled out of World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine
Arsenal defender Leah Williamson has been ruled out of England's next two World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine with a hamstring injury; Khiara Keating has also pulled out of the England squad; Liverpool's Grace Fisk and Brighton's Sophie Baggaley named as replacements
Monday 1 June 2026 12:25, UK
Arsenal defender Leah Williamson has been ruled out of England's next two World Cup qualifiers.
The Lionesses captain has a hamstring injury and will not report with the rest of the squad to St George's Park on Monday.
Khiara Keating has also pulled out of the England squad as she is in the concussion protocol after missing the FA Cup final on Sunday.
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Liverpool's Grace Fisk and Brighton's Sophie Baggaley have been called up as replacements.
Reds captain Fisk has been called up several times, including her first in February 2020, but the defender has never been capped.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Baggaley is also no stranger to the England camp, having earned her first call-up 10 years ago.
An England statement said: "Fisk replaces Williamson who followed a rehabilitation programme to be available but has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
"Baggaley joins as Keating will remain with Manchester City and miss the trip to Mallorca as she follows the return to play concussion protocols, with a further assessment determining her availability for the Ukraine game."
The squad will arrive at St George's Park on Monday in preparation to face Spain in Mallorca on Friday, before returning to England to take on Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday June 9.
England a win away from World Cup qualification
England's match against Spain in Mallorca is likely to be a showdown for first place in Group A3, which will automatically guarantee a spot at next summer's tournament in Brazil. Second place will go into the World Cup play-offs.
The Lionesses are three points clear at the top and beat the world champions in the reverse fixture at Wembley in April. The two teams are level on goal difference and while a point will still put the Lionesses in prime position at the top, the confirmation of their qualification would still go down to the final matches.
