Navigating the Goalkeeping Landscape for the Lionesses Ahead of Future Tournaments

Just two years ago, England faced a similar predicament in their goalkeeping ranks. At that time, Mary Earps was the Lionesses’ undisputed No.1, and due to the circumstances surrounding her fellow goalkeepers, she became increasingly vital to the national team.

Hampton had recently joined Chelsea but was not receiving playing time, while Ellie Roebuck found herself sidelined at Manchester City, and Sandy MacIver had opted to represent Scotland. Emily Ramsey was also struggling for playing time in the Everton lineup, making Earps the only goalkeeper among the five called up by Wiegman in the previous year who was a first-choice at club level. Notably, Roebuck had 11 caps compared to Earps’ 43, with Hampton at just two and Keating yet to make her debut.

This time around, the situation has evolved somewhat. Anna Moorhouse, who participated in Euro 2025, is now playing regularly for Orlando Pride, a leading team in the United States. However, Keating, who earned her first call-up two years ago after becoming Manchester City’s No.1, has not played a league match since mid-September. Meanwhile, Baggaley serves as the cup goalkeeper at Brighton behind Nigerian star Chiamaka Nnadozie. Of this trio, only Keating has represented England, making her debut last month.

After Wiegman labeled the goalkeeper situation as “a little bit complicated” in October 2023, things began to change. Hampton started to assert herself at Chelsea, gaining more opportunities at the international level. With England 18 months away from a major tournament and a significant gap in caps among their goalkeepers, Wiegman recognized the necessity of providing experience to her squad, especially with Roebuck facing a lengthy recovery after suffering a type of stroke.

In February 2024, Hampton played a friendly, followed by a Euros qualifier in Ireland in April. This marked her as the first goalkeeper other than Earps to start a competitive match for England since Roebuck played against Luxembourg in September 2022. These decisions proved prudent, as when Earps sustained an injury just seconds into a Euro 2025 qualifier against France in May, Hampton had already gained crucial experience on the big stage.

Currently, the dynamics have shifted. At the time of the Ireland match in April, Wiegman noted that Hampton was “growing into competition with Mary.” Presently, Hampton stands as England’s clear No.1. Nonetheless, should an incident arise similar to Earps’ injury during the qualifier against France, her understudy remains inadequately prepared.

Keating has only participated in one international friendly and, at 21 years old, has shared starting responsibilities at City over the last two seasons, resulting in limited club experience. Moorhouse and Baggaley, while having ample club experience, have yet to earn caps for the national team. Collectively, they lack exposure to pivotal matches and the opportunity to play behind the Lionesses’ defensive setup.

Consequently, Hampton’s absence this week could be seen as a blessing in disguise. While not ideal given England’s shortage of experienced centre-backs, integrating an inexperienced goalkeeper only exacerbates the team’s vulnerability. Nonetheless, Wiegman may have preferred to rest Hampton for at least one of the upcoming friendlies, presenting a chance to evaluate the less experienced goalkeeping unit. Given the events of 2024, this exposure is vital for long-term development.

In the New Year, England will kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which means competitive matches will dominate their schedule throughout 2026. Particularly challenging is the task of competing against Spain for the top spot in their group. Should they finish second, they will face playoff rounds next year, leading to more high-stakes matches.

These games present an opportunity for England to address their weaknesses. Despite their Euro 2025 success, several issues warrant attention, such as finding a reliable left-back option, bolstering depth in midfield, and determining who will back up Lucy Bronze. Wiegman will need to assess these areas while simultaneously striving for rapid qualification for the World Cup.

Developing goalkeeper experience is ideally suited for friendly matches, especially initially, making this week’s games potentially the last non-competitive fixtures for some time. It’s an ideal moment to evaluate what Keating, Moorhouse, and/or Baggaley can contribute.

Following Earps’ unexpected retirement, concerns regarding Hampton’s availability throughout the summer Euros loomed large. Wiegman will aim to avoid such uncertainty heading into 2027. The new understudy must feel ready and equipped for any eventuality, aligning with the team’s mindset.

This week is therefore crucial. Hampton, a world-class goalkeeper, is poised to play a pivotal role in England’s aspirations for success in Brazil in two years. However, it would be unwise for the Lionesses to enter another tournament relying on a backup group lacking experience, particularly when there are opportunities to address this issue, starting with Saturday’s match against China at Wembley.