Ukraine vs England live: Lionesses game goes ahead amid safety concerns as World Cup qualifying campaign begins | OneFootball

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Sarina Wiegman eyes more success with England

England kick off their qualification campaign for the 2027 Women’s World Cup tonight as they take on Ukraine in Antalya.

The Lionesses are in “close contact” with the UK government over the fixture, which is being played in Turkey due to the war in Ukraine but has raised safety concerns due to the proximity of the fresh conflict in the Middle East.

On the pitch, England are returning to competitive action off the back of making history in 2025, with Sarina Wiegman guiding the nation to a second consecutive European Championship in Switzerland last summer.

Wiegman’s side will now be dreaming of glory on the global stage, hoping to avenge the heartache they suffered in the 2023 final as they lost out on the World Cup crown to Spain in Sydney.

The defending champions join England in their qualifying group, setting up a rematch at Wembley on 14 April, with Iceland also in Group 3. But can the Lionesses avoid an early slip-up against Ukraine on neutral soil.

Georgia Stanway on playing in Turkey

England midfielder Georgia Stanway took the press conference alongside Sarina Wiegman and was also asked for her thoughts on playing in Turkey.

She revealed: “I think we are in a fortunate position. I think sometimes we do take things for granted but it’s times like this that really make you realise the bigger picture.

“Like Sarina said, football is our common goal and we know that everybody’s stepping on that pitch on Tuesday, everybody’s stepping over that white line and nothing else matters apart from the game and that’s the beauty of football is the fact that it brings us together – that deep connection, that deep love for the game and the solidarity.”

Mike Jones3 March 2026 15:36

Five big names return to Lionesses squad as Poppy Pattinson earns first call-up

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 will take on Ukraine and Iceland as they kickstart their qualification campaign for the 2027 tournament in Brazil, having been drawn in a group that also includes reigning world champions Spain.

Five big names return to Lionesses squad as Poppy Pattinson earns first call-up

Leah Williamson, Hannah Hampton, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James are back from injury for Sarina Wiegman’s side with World Cup qualifiers coming up

Mike Jones3 March 2026 15:30

Wiegman on facing Ukraine

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.”

Playing Ukraine in Turkey is 'really sad' says Wiegman

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.”