Sarina Wiegman explains Taylor Hinds’ surprising switch from Jamaica to England | OneFootball

Sarina Wiegman named her 25-player England squad on Tuesday morning – and it included Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds.

That was surprising to many observers – partly because the full back has had limited minutes for the Gunners since her summer move from Liverpool, but also because she declared allegiance to Jamaica after progressing through the England talent pathway at youth level.

Hinds got her first senior call-up for Jamaica a year ago when she was part of the squad that faced France in a friendly.

But in a press conference, Wiegman explained the conversations she had had with Hinds, and the tough decision the 26-year-old had had to make.

“We have been following Taylor for a long time,” she told reporters. “Of course she has gone through the [England talent] pathway. She has a dual heritage. She’s eligible for us. We started having conversations.

“Yes, she hasn’t played that much, but also we are in a new situation, we are going into a new cycle, qualify for the World Cup hopefully and then go to the World Cup, so I want to see talented players in some positions. She’s a left footer. Yes, she didn’t play that much but we have seen a lot of her. She played the other day against Lyon [for Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“I had the conversation with her and she wanted to come in. She feels really close to England and also with Jamaica.”

Taylor Hinds is excited to join the Lionesses camp, says Wiegman

Adding that the whole process had been “difficult” for Hinds, she went on to say that the player was “really excited” to join up with the Lionesses camp.

“She wants to see what her chances are too, and for us, for me, it’s really good to see her in our environment to see how she relates to other players in her position,” she concluded.

Hinds is joined by two other debutantes in the Lionesses squad, her club team-mate Katie Reid, and Lucia Kendall of Aston Villa.

England have two friendly matches in October, facing Brazil at the City of Manchester Stadium, and then Australia at Pride Park, Derby.

They conclude the year with a match against China at Wembley in November, and then against Ghana in December at St Mary’s, Southampton.

These will be the Lionesses’ first games since winning the 2025 Women’s Euros, defending the crown they won in 2022.