England vs China live: Latest news and team updates from the Lions friendly at Wembley

“It’s good to play against teams from different continents. We know that China is always a very disciplined team. They have a very good structure,” England coach Sarina Wigman said about China and their style of play.

“They can play from the back, but more direct. We know they will try to challenge us in their tactics,” he added.

It is the first of two friendlies for the Lions before the end of the year, the second being a home friendly against Ghana on December 2.

That one will be held in St Mary’s, starting at 7pm GMT.

The Lions will return to action next year in March, with their first World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on March 3, 2026.

Sarina Wigman says injuries within the Lionesses squad have provided an “opportunity” for those “knocking on the door” to break into the team more regularly – or into the starting XI.

“We want to try things, we want to see a lot of players,” Wigman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

This is an opportunity. These players are all used to playing in the Women’s Super League and the Women’s Super League is a very, very good league.

“So they’re used to being challenged, they’re used to playing at the highest level, they’re used to playing in front of big crowds. So it’s exciting and it’s an opportunity,” he added.

The Lions have lost just one of their last five wins – that defeat against Brazil in a friendly last month – although they have also won just twice in that time, the last against Australia.

Before that, you have to go back to England’s triumphant Euro campaign for three more games, with Spain’s “tie” ending in a penalty shootout of course.

The visitors have won only two of their last five games, which were against Chinese Taipei and Thailand.

Their last result was a 0-0 draw against Japan, while that only defeat came against the USA – 3-0 in May.

England manager Sarina Wigman has made four changes to the team that beat Australia in October, with Anna Morehouse replacing Hannah Hampton in goal.

Elsewhere, Niamh Charles replaces Taylor Hinds at left-back, while Georgia Stanway returns to midfield in place of Lucia Kendall.

In attack, Lauren Hamp returns to the starting lineup in place of Aggie Beaver Jones, with Alecia Russo once again in the forward line.

England XI: History; Burns, Morgan, Le Tissier, Charles. Walsh, Stanway; Mead, tuna, hemp. Rousseau

Subs: Hinds, Bagley, Kendall, Wobben-Moye, Beaver Jones, Kelly, Kearns, Park, Blindkild-Brown, Roebuck, Clinton, Denton, Fisk, Godfrey.

The lineup should be announced in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…

Hannah Hampton will miss England’s final two games of the year after being sidelined for “several weeks” through injury.

Lauren Hamp has returned to the England squad for the first time since Euro 2025 after recovering from injury, but Lauren James will remain at Chelsea to build his fitness following his layoff.

Lee Williamson, Michelle Agyemang and Alex Greenwood are also unavailable while Jess Carter will remain in the US to recover after appearing in the NWSL playoffs with Gotham City.

Sarina Wigman called up Freya Godfrey for her senior debut while goalkeeper Sophie Bagley, defenders Anook Denton, Grace Fiske and Taylor Hinds and midfielder Lucia Kendall retained their places after attending last month’s camp.

Kiera Walsh will captain the team while Wigman has confirmed he will have a “trial” in the final two games of the year.

These two teams have faced each other only three times in the past, two friendly matches and the other one will be held in the 2023 World Cup.

Both friendlies were played in 2015, with England winning 2-1 at home and losing the away game by the same scoreline. However, England won that World Cup group stage match 6–1.

The bid includes 16 stadiums in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland, which will be the first World Cup since the 1966 men’s World Cup in Britain.

Manchester United have outlined their plans for a proposed 100,000-capacity stadium, with a planned redevelopment in the proposal – alongside Old Trafford in its current form.

England manager Sarina Wigman says she will use the upcoming friendlies against China and Ghana to “test” her squad as she shifts focus to the Women’s World Cup in two years’ time.

The Lions face China in their first friendly at Wembley Stadium on Saturday before traveling to St Mary’s in Southampton to play Ghana on Tuesday.

This is the second set of friendlies for Wiegman’s side after losing to Brazil before a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Australia in the derby.

The head coach of the England national team said that friendlies give players opportunities to prove themselves and prove their claim to be in the squad.