Several England women’s senior team players and staff have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List for 2026, following another historic year for the Lionesses. After sealing a second successive UEFA Women’s EURO title in Switzerland in July 2025, seven members of the group who returned as champions have now received national honours in recognition of their impact on the pitch and beyond it.
At the centre of the list is head coach Sarina Wiegman, who has been awarded an honorary DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire). As a foreign national, Wiegman is ineligible for the title of Dame, making the honorary nature of the award particularly significant. It recognises not only her leadership in guiding England to back-to-back European Championships in 2022 and 2025, but also her wider contribution to women’s football in the UK. Under her guidance, England has reached three consecutive major tournament finals and reshaped expectations of what sustained success looks like.
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has been honoured with a CBE, Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Having already received an OBE in 2023, this recognition reflects her continued leadership at the highest level. Williamson captained England to their first Euros triumph on home soil in 2022 and lifted the trophy again in 2025, cementing her role as one of the most influential figures in the history of the women’s national team.
Further MBEs have been awarded to Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone following their vital contributions to England’s Euro 2025 success. Each has played a defining role in England’s sustained dominance, combining elite performance with leadership, professionalism and visibility that has helped push the women’s game forward both domestically and internationally.
There was also recognition for long-serving members of England’s support staff. Dr Ritan Mehta, head of women’s medical at the FA and England team doctor, received an MBE for services to football. Dr Mehta has worked with the Lionesses since June 2014, having previously supported both men’s and women’s development teams. Over more than a decade, he has played a crucial role in supporting the squad through tournament cycles that delivered back-to-back Euro titles, as well as World Cup bronze and silver medals.
Former England forward Kerry Davis was also awarded an MBE for services to football and diversity in sport. Davis was England’s first Black women’s international and goalscorer, debuting in 1982 and scoring 43 goals in 90 appearances for the Lionesses. Her recognition highlights the importance of trailblazers whose impact laid the foundations for the success enjoyed by the current generation.
Speaking about her award, Sarina Wiegman described the honour as a reflection of the collective. She said she could never have imagined the respect and warmth she has received since arriving in England and thanked supporters for their unwavering backing. Wiegman emphasised that the recognition belonged to the entire group, congratulating Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson and Dr Ritan Mehta, while stressing that when one member of the team is recognised, the honour reflects everyone. She paid tribute to the entire Euro 2025 squad and staff, praising their contribution both on the pitch and in broader society, and reiterated her pride in working alongside such a dedicated group as England now look ahead to qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.
Dr Ritan Mehta described his MBE as an absolute privilege and thanked the FA, the Lionesses players and staff, and his family for their support throughout his career. He spoke of feeling incredibly fortunate to have provided medical care to the Lionesses for more than 11 years. He described supporting the team through their achievements, including back-to-back European Championships and World Cup medals, as the ultimate honour.
FA chair Debbie Hewitt also paid tribute to those recognised, describing 2025 as another historic year for the Lionesses. She highlighted that the contributions of Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson extend far beyond their performances on the pitch. Hewitt praised their commitment to being role models and using their platform to make a positive impact on society, saying they have not only lifted trophies but helped lift the sport itself. She also described Wiegman as not only the world’s leading head coach but an exceptional leader whose integrity and humility have captured the hearts of the English public.
Ella Toone spoke emotionally about receiving her MBE, calling it an incredible honour and something she is deeply proud of. She said being part of a team that has won the Euros twice has helped change the landscape of women’s football and created memories that will stay with her forever. Toone dedicated the award to her father, whom she lost to prostate cancer, describing him as the biggest supporter of her very first kick of a ball. She also spoke of wanting to continue raising awareness of prostate cancer and inspiring the next generation through her ET7 Academy.
Georgia Stanway described her MBE as a pinch-me moment, reflecting on her journey from a girl from Barrow to representing her country at the highest level. She thanked her family, coaches, mentors and teammates for the sacrifices that helped her reach this point. She spoke of her determination to continue using her platform to show young people that anything is possible through sport.
While the honours list celebrated many of England’s Euro heroes, some notable names were absent. Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton, Michelle Agyemang and Alessia Russo were not included despite their high-profile contributions during the tournament, highlighting the competitive and limited nature of the honours system rather than diminishing their impact
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The honours also extended beyond football, with members of England’s women’s rugby team recognised following World Cup success. Red Roses captain Zoe Aldcroft, teammate Marlie Packer and head coach John Mitchell received OBEs. At the same time, Megan Jones, Sadia Kabeya and Ellie Kildunne were awarded MBEs, underlining a landmark year for women’s sport in England.
Collectively, the 2026 New Year Honours reflect more than medals and trophies. They recognise leadership, legacy and the cultural shift driven by women’s sport. For the Lionesses, the awards serve as another marker of how far the team has come and how deeply their success now resonates beyond the pitch.
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