Spain and England are playing this week for the direct ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil: first on Friday at Son Moix (here is the full preview) and then, on Tuesday the 9th, with Spain in Reykjavik and England hosting Ukraine. These are the two complete squads for the window.
Spain’s squad: Aitana returns, the new generation pushes through
Sonia Bermúdez called up 25 footballers on 28 May. Three keys: the return of Aitana Bonmatí after recovering from her fibula fracture — she arrives match-fit after lifting the Champions League in Oslo —, the continuity of the world-champion core and the consolidated presence of the generation coming through: Vicky López, Clara Serrajordi and Lucía Corrales, champions at youth level, are no longer a promise for the future but part of the rotation.
Goalkeepers (3): Cata Coll, Misa Rodríguez and Adriana Nanclares.
Defenders (8): Irene Paredes (captain), Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona, Mapi León, Laia Codina, María Méndez, Jana Fernández and Andrea Medina.
Midfielders (6): Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Mariona Caldentey, Fiamma Benítez and Clara Serrajordi.
Forwards (8): Salma Paralluelo, Claudia Pina, Athenea del Castillo, Esther González, Eva Navarro, Edna Imade, Vicky López and Lucía Corrales.
The Aitana–Alexia–Patri midfield is fully available again for the first time in months, and up front comes the great revelation of the qualifying phase: Edna Imade, scorer of a brace against Ukraine on her debut and of Spain’s clearest chances at Wembley.
England’s squad: telling absences at the back, firepower intact up front
Sarina Wiegman named 25 players, but the window has become complicated for her in defence: Leah Williamson is out with a hamstring injury, Taylor Hinds withdrew from the squad with an ankle injury — Grace Fisk and goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley came in — and between the posts there is no longer Mary Earps, who retired from international football before Euro 2025. The goal belongs to Hannah Hampton, decisive at Wembley.
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride) and Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa), with Sophie Baggaley added after the withdrawals.
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) and Grace Fisk.
Midfielders: Keira Walsh (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Jess Park (Manchester United), Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City) and Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea) and Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses).
Despite the treatment room, the English attack arrives at full strength: Hemp, scorer of the Wembley goal and Spain’s tormentor in the Euro final; Russo, who scored the equaliser in that final; and Kelly, of the decisive penalty in Basel.
What each side is playing for
England (12 points) need only win or draw on Friday to seal the direct ticket. Spain (9) need victory in Palma to stay alive going into Tuesday’s finale and keep their fate in their own hands, as we explained in the preview. The full context of the road to Brazil is here.
