Summary

  1. See you soonpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 29 May

    Some great insight from England boss Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson after the shock retirement of Mary Earps.

    That's your lot from us now but head over to our other live page as we continue to take you through all of the reaction to Chelsea's Conference League win over Real Betis last night.

    See you soon!

  2. Recap: England news conferencepublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 29 May

    If you're just joining us, England manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson have been speaking to the media before Friday evening's match against Portugal.

    As you may expect, it was a news conference dominated with questions surrounding Mary Earps' retirement from international football.

    Here are some of the top lines:

  3. When are the fixtures?published at 12:41 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    The Nations League group fixtures all take place before the 2025 Women's Euros, which starts on 2 July.

    League phases

    Matchday five and six: 30 May-3 June

    Finals

    Semi-finals (two legs): 22-28 October

    Final/third-place play-off (two legs): 26 November-2 December

  4. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Earps retirement full of ifs and buts'published at 12:39 British Summer Time 29 May

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Thing about Earps' retirement is is full of if and buts. If she was number one choice would she still of retired? But if there was a possibility of her playing during the Euros would she still of retired? Hampton is number one choice but that doesn't mean that Earps couldn't of proved her wrong in these remaining games before the Euros!!! I understand the manager's frustration that it comes so close to an important tournament, so you have to wonder how much did Earps want to fight for that spot. She's been a great asset to the women's game and just wish her all the best for the future.

    Micky

  5. What is the Nations League?published at 12:36 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    The league was launched in 2023, with the inaugural tournament offering qualification spots for the 2025 Women's European Championship.

    Countries are placed into groups of three or four teams, across three different leagues, with promotion and relegation between the leagues depending on the match results.

    And there's a lot at stake.

    Teams are not only competing for the Nations League title but their finishing position will also determine where they start in the league system for the European qualifiers for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

  6. Wiegman coy on Earps detailspublished at 12:33 British Summer Time 29 May

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at St George's Park

    Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson covered a lot of talking points there.

    The reaction towards Mary Earps' retirement was mixed as Williamson said she supported the decision but that she was sad to see her go.

    Wiegman admitted it is "hard" to be without her in the squad and she wanted her to be part of the team - that was where her biggest disappointment came from.

    Neither would be drawn on the suggestion that it was a selfish decision by Earps, given the timing and the inexperience left in the squad.

    It was also striking that Wiegman did not want to release details on the timing of Earps' decision and when she, herself, knew her intentions.

    Some other key team news as well with both Ella Toone and Alessia Russo missing tomorrow's game against Portugal.

    Disappointing news for Manchester United's Millie Turner as well - her Euro hopes are over with injury.

    There was a much more positive update on Chelsea's Lauren James, who Wiegman appeared to suggest is on track to make the Euros.

  7. get involved

    Get Involved - 'We have to respect that and move on'published at 12:30 British Summer Time 29 May

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I truly think Earps has earned the right for us not to speculate about timing, and allow her the space to step back if that's what she feels is right. We are light on experience but not on options, there are multitude other players in that squad with the experience of major tournaments who can lead. I'm sure she thought about the team dynamics and the impact on the squad. I think as Leah said this must have been one of the hardest decisions to make, I think we have to respect that and move on.

    Anon

  8. 'James is doing really well'published at 12:25 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    Finally, England manager Sarina Wiegman was asked about the fitness of Lauren James: "She is in rehab still. She is in a good place, doing really well. Yes, we want to get her prepared for the Euros and she wants to as well. So far she has ticked the boxes that she needs to tick and she is progressing at her club in collaboration with us. We just hope she keeps moving forward and can join the team later on - not at this camp but later on."

  9. 'I don't want to talk about that'published at 12:22 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman was asked if it's a concern that the two goalkeepers behind Hannah Hampton are uncapped: "They play high level games for club and I think that is experience too. As we say all the time, the game develops very quickly. The games domestically and internationally too. I think we do have experience. If you look at major tournament experience - that is the next step."

    On whether Hampton needs a little extra support with the added pressure: "I think both [Hampton and Earps] have been in the spotlight all the time over the last months and year. The spotlight is on us, it is on every single player and that includes Hannah Hampton. We are always in conversation with players and we always try to give them the best support they need. That is back and forth."

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - 'It's not compulsory'published at 12:19 British Summer Time 29 May

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    If Mary Earps, or any player, decides they don't want to be called up then people should respect that. International duty means being away from your home base, your loved ones, your other responsiblities, for weeks at a time. It's not compulsory. There is no professional contract with conditions which you signed up too, like with your club side. If she doesn't want to take on that extra workload and stress anymore then fair play, let the place go to somebody who wants it.

    Paul

  11. 'I don't want to talk about that'published at 12:17 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman was asked if Hannah Hampton would be number one if Mary Earps was still here: "We are not in that situation. That is speculation. I don't want to talk about that. Hannah was a little bit ahead and that is where we finished."

  12. 'Football doesn't wait, it keeps moving'published at 12:15 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England captain Leah Williamson on the atmosphere in camp: "Obviously it's big news that Mary has left but I came in and it's business as usual. We had a great training session in preparation for Friday. Obviously it's news and there will be a time where Mary will get celebrated and I can't wait to see her highlight reel because that will be fantastic.

    "For now, we have a big game. I won the Champions League on Saturday and was back in three days later to prepare. Football doesn't wait, it keeps moving."

  13. No issues with team dynamic - Wiegmanpublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman on what Mary Earps' departure says about her team, being a team: "I don't know where you want to go to with this question but we are talking about Mary and Mary's retirement and that's hard. It's hard for her and it's hard for us. We have spoken about that. We wanted her in our team and I just really want to keep it by that answer."

    On whether she feels the team dynamic is there among the team: "Yes, I do."

  14. Missed the news conference?published at 12:12 British Summer Time 29 May

    Missed out on Sarina Wiegman's news conference? Well, you're in luck because head over to the 'watch & listen' tab and there is the conference for your very eyes.

  15. get involved

    Get Involved - 'It's simply the timing'published at 12:11 British Summer Time 29 May

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    It's simply the timing of Mary's decision that takes some understanding. She knows how light we are for cover at the Euros. Would it have really been so terrible to be there for the team one last time? It's a slightly sour end to a great career.

    Claire

  16. 'Morris is devastated and we are devastated'published at 12:08 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman was asked whether Millie Turner has been ruled out for the Euros: "Unfortunately, yes."

    On Ella Morris suffering an ACL injury: "That is awful. She came in and did really well. It was a no contact injury and unfortunately she tore her ACL. She is devastated and we are devastated. We wish her a good rehab. That was a shock when that happened."

    Ella MorrisImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'We try our very best to support players with mental wellbeing'published at 12:05 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman on whether she believes players are given enough support with mental health: "I think we do whatever we can within our control. We try our very best and we also have people around that can give that support for whoever wants it. Yes I think so and I hope so.

    "As I've said, the demands in the game have increased a lot on and off the pitch. It's incredible how the game develops. Our journey so far things have changed massively but it also comes with higher demand and we have to adapt to that and it's not always easy."

    WiegmanImage source, PA Media
  18. 'Hampton is now the number one'published at 12:03 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman on whether she had decided Hannah Hampton was number one prior to Mary Earps' retirement: "Hannah Hampton is now the number one. I said before that she was a little bit ahead. You can't look too far forward because things change really quickly so that's the only heads up I can give you."

  19. 'Toone and Russo not available for tomorrow'published at 12:00 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman on team news: "Ella Toone is not available for tomorrow but we will try and get her fit for Tuesday.

    "Alessia [Russo] is not available either. They aren't ready tomorrow but we are trying to get them for Tuesday. They are not long-term injuries."

  20. 'I do not give any information about private conversations we have'published at 11:58 British Summer Time 29 May

    England v Portugal (Fri, 19:45 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman was asked about reports Mary Earps was going to retire in April: "We have had conversations, we are in conversation all the time. You have asked me a lot about the goalkeepers in the last period. I am in conversation with players all the time and I do not give any information about these private conversations we have."

    WiegmanImage source, PA Media