England face USA and Emma Hayes in Wembley blockbuster – live updates

Three England stars have been announced as nominees for the women’s player of the year at the 2024 Fifa Best Awards: Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp and Keira Walsh.

Mary Earps – who has won the women’s goalkeeper of the year in the past two editions – is nominated for that same award again, while Beth Mead has been shortlisted for the inaugural ‘Marta’ award for the best goal of the season (and is named after famed Brazilian forward Marta, who coincidentally is also nominated).

Emma Hayes is among the nominees for coach of the year.

Ruby Mace insisted her first senior England call-up was a “dream come true” as she set her sights on trying to cement her position in the national team long term.

The Lionesses will take on the United States on Saturday and Switzerland next Tuesday in two home friendlies as preparations continue for next summer’s European Championship, where England look to defend their crown.

Sarina Wiegman handed first international call-ups to Leicestermidfielder Mace and Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown, who have both represented the Lionesses at youth levels.

She replaces Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier, who was diagnosed with concussion after her side’s Women’s Super League loss to leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

England will first face former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes’ American Olympic champions at Wembley before taking on Switzerland at Bramall Lane next Tuesday.

England defender Lucy Bronze feels Olympic champions the United States will be the perfect test with less than a year to go until the Lionesses defend their European title in Switzerland.

The Americans’ visit to Wembley will also mark the first time former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes – now the USA head coach – will share a touchline with England’s Sarina Wiegman in a much-anticipated showdown between two of the most formidable bosses in the women’s game.

Bronze, who in July signed for Hayes’ former Women’s Super League side on a two-year deal, has noticed a steady rise in the rivalry between the top two teams in FIFA’s global rankings.

Emma Hayes sees Saturday’s Wembley clash between England and the United States as an opportunity to celebrate progress that has been made in the women’s game.

The friendly, a meeting of the top two sides in the FIFA women’s rankings led by the US, is expected to have an attendance of more than 83,000.

Hayes, who guided Chelsea to a glut of silverware in a 12-year tenure before taking charge of the USA team during the summer, was asked at her pre-match press conference how she felt English women’s football was doing in comparison to America.

The friendly match will kick off at 5:20pm BST on Saturday 30 November at Wembley.

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The Lionesses will be without Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone due to injuries. Hannah Hampton could continue in goal ahead of Mary Earps, and while there’s a chance Alex Greenwood could be recalled to defence, Sarina Wiegman may name the same defence that started against Germany at Wembley.

Grace Clinton should replace Toone in midfield, alongside Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh. While Jessica Naz is a contender to start alongside Alessia Russo and Beth Mead in attack, in place of the injured Hemp.

Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson are not in the USA’s squad due to injury, forcing Emma Hayes to name a new front three.

England host the United States and Emma Hayes in a marquee friendly between two of the world’s best teams at Wembley.

The Lionesses were left reeling by a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Germany last month and Sarina Wiegman’s side will have to improve as they continue their preparations ahead of Euro 2025 next summer.

The European champions defeated the USA at Wembley in October 2022 – but the four-time World Cup winners have undergone significant changes since under the new reign of former Chelsea manager Hayes.

The English coach enjoyed a sensational start with the USA by winning gold at the Paris Olympics, setting up an intriguing first clash with Wiegman on the touchline.

Both teams have been hit by injuries but there is plenty of pride at stake as England and the USA renew their rivalry five years on from meeting in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup. 

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s friendly between the Lionesses and the USA.

The match marks Emma Hayes’ return to the UK for the first time since she managed Chelsea, while Sarina Weigman’s team are looking for an important win after recent results against Germany and South Africa.

We’ll have all the latest build-up, news and updates right here.