England women's national football team

England

Nickname(s)	The Lionesses[1]
Association	The Football Association (The FA)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Sarina Wiegman
Captain	Leah Williamson
Most caps	Fara Williams (172)
Top scorer	Ellen White (58)
FIFA code	ENG
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	2 2 (15 March 2024)[2]
Highest	2 (March 2018; March 2024)
Lowest	14 (June 2004 – September 2005)
First international
Scotland 2–3 England  (Greenock, Scotland; 18 November 1972)
Biggest win
England 20–0 Latvia  (Doncaster, England; 30 November 2021)
Biggest defeat
Norway 8–0 England  (Moss, Norway; 4 June 2000)
World Cup
Appearances	6 (first in 1995)
Best result	Runners-up (2023)
European Championship
Appearances	9 (first in 1984)
Best result	Champions (2022)
Nations League
Appearances	1 (first in 2023–24)
Best result	5th (2023–24)
Finalissima
Appearances	1 (first in 2023)
Best result	Champions (2023)
Medal record Women's football FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Australia–New Zealand Team 2015 Canada Team UEFA Women's Championship 2022 England Team 2009 Finland Team 1984 Europe Team 2017 Netherlands Team 1995 Europe Team UEFA–CONMEBOL Women’s Finalissima 2023 England
Website	Official website

The England women's national football team, nicknamed the Lionesses, has been governed by the Football Association (FA) since 1993, having been previously administered by the Women's Football Association (WFA). England played its first international match in November 1972 against Scotland. Although most national football teams represent a sovereign state, England is permitted by FIFA statutes, as a member of the United Kingdom's Home Nations, to maintain a national side that competes in all major tournaments, with the exception of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament.

England have qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup six times, reaching the quarter-finals in 1995, 2007 and 2011, finishing fourth in 2019, third in 2015 and as runners-up in 2023. Since 2019, England, as the highest-ranked Home Nation, have been able to qualify an Olympic team on behalf of Great Britain; other British players may be selected in the event of qualification.

They reached the final of the UEFA Women's Championship in 1984 and 2009, and won in 2022, marking the first time since 1966 that any England senior football team had won a major championship. England have also competed in the UEFA Women's Nations League since the inaugural 2023–24 season.