| Nickname(s) | The Young Lionesses | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | The Football Association | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Emma Coates | ||
| FIFA code | ENG | ||
| |||
| Nordic Cup | |||
| Appearances | 5 (first in 2004) | ||
| Best result | Third (2005) | ||
The England women's national under-23 football team, also known as England women Under-23s or England women U23(s), is an association football team operated under the auspices of The Football Association. Since 2021, it has replaced the now defunct England women's under-21 team.
Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the senior England women's national football team. As long as they were eligible, players can play for England at any level, making it possible to play for the U23s, senior side, and again for the U23s, as Natasha Dowie, Rachel Williams and Danielle Buet have in the 2008–2018 era, as well as Katie Robinson, Jess Park, Maya Le Tissier and Ebony Salmon in the current era.[1] In 2005 Casey Stoney played for the team in the Nordic Cup, despite already having 30 caps at senior level.[2] It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (providing the player is eligible). Helen Lander and Kylie Davies decided to play for Wales at senior level after playing for England U23s, while Sophie Perry elected to play for Ireland.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Nordic challenge for U21s". The Football Association. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2012.