The Lionesses will hope to come back roaring this Saturday as they open their UEFA Women's Euro 2025 group campaign against a superb France team.
England are the reigning champions but might approach this clash against Les Bleus with some trepidation, given they lost twice to Laurent Bonadei's side during qualification.
The teams will have to deal with the extreme heat sweeping much of Europe at the moment at Zurich's famous Stadion Letzigrund, something both coaches will have to take into consideration when mulling selection, tactics and substitutions.
The Sporting News runs through the team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
MORE: England Euro 2025 squad: Who's going, key players, tactics, style and more
England Women vs. France Women starting lineups, team news
England will be captained by Leah Williamson, back after an ACL injury prevented her from leading the Lionesses at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The renowned defender will be back with a fire in her belly, especially after helping to inspire Arsenal to Champions League glory.
Mary Earps' surprise retirement and Millie Bright’s decision to withdraw from the tournament mean the defence around Williamson will have to be remodelled from the backline that secured the European title in 2022.
One newcomer at the other end of the pitch is Michelle Agyemang, who has won the nation’s heart as the youngest Lioness in the squad. Having scored after just 41 seconds of her England debut, all eyes will eagerly be watching one of the future stars of women’s football.
Beth Mead is also returning to the tournament, having won both the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament in 2022.
England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Hampton (GK) — Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter — Stanley, Walsh —Mead, Toone, Hemp — Russo
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse.
Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh.
Forwards: Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo.
MORE: UEFA Women's Euro 2025 bracket, schedule: Group standings and results from tournament in Switzerland
Les Bleues boss Laurent Bonadei shocked the football world when it was revealed that captain Wendie Renard had been omitted from his Euros squad. Forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto will take the armband on her belated major tournament debut - an ACL injury having ruled her out of the 2023 World Cup
France’s most capped player and former vice-captain Eugenie Le Sommer has also not made the cut, as well as Kenza Dali. Bonadie said that he “wants different results for this team, so I have gone with a different selection”.
He has invested in this sentiment, with six of the 23 strong team having never appeared at a major tournament, although some reassuring faithfuls have returned, such as the lightning fast Sandy Baltimore and Kadidiatou Diani, with the new pairing of Griedge Mbock Bathy and Maëlle Lakrar at centre-back.
France predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Peyraud-Magnin (GK) — Bacha, Lakrar, Mbock Bathy, De Almeida — Karchaoui, Toletti, Geyoro —Baltimore, Katoto, Diani
Full France squad
Goalkeepers: Justine Lerond, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Constance Picaud
Defenders: Selma Bacha, Lou Bogaert, Elisa De Almeida, Maelle Lakrar, Griedge Mbock Bathy, Melween N’Dongala, Thiniba Samoura, Alice Sombath
Midfielders: Sandy Baltimore, Grace Geyoro, Oriane Jean-François, Sakina Karchaoui, Amel Majri, Sandie Toletti
Forwards: Delphine Cascarino, Kadidiatou, Kelly Gago, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Melvine Malard, Clara Mateo
England Women vs France Women score prediction
Although facing the reigning champions England, France can approach this game with confidence having beaten the Lionness home and away last year. Recent form is very much in their favour, with the onus on Sarina Wiegman's side to find a solution that was beyond them during qualification.
Prediction: England 1-2 France
How to watch England Women vs. France Women: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women’s Euros matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and ITV. England versus France will take place on Saturday, July at 20:00 BST. It is available to watch on ITV 1 and stream via ITV X.