By Godfrey Gusha
Fresh off their triumphant UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 campaign, the Lionesses will return to action with a high-profile friendly against China at Wembley Stadium on 29 November.
The clash, scheduled for a 5:30 pm kick-off and broadcast live on ITV, will mark England’s final Wembley appearance of the year. It forms part of a four-match autumn series designed to prepare Sarina Wiegman’s side for their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign, which kicks off in February.
China, ranked 17th in the world, are the reigning Asian champions and will provide a stern test for England, who memorably defeated them 6–1 during the 2023 World Cup in Adelaide.
“After an incredible month and the celebrations this week, we are already planning ahead,” Wiegman said. “It will be special to have a final visit to Wembley this year, and I’m pleased we’ve secured a top Asian side like China for this window.”
The fixture will be the Lionesses’ third Wembley outing of 2025, following wins over Spain in February and Portugal in May.
In other women’s football news, the FA confirmed the Women’s FA Cup prize fund will remain frozen for another year, drawing renewed criticism over the pay gap with the men’s game.
The winners will once again receive £430,000, the same amount as the past two seasons. By contrast, the men’s FA Cup champions pocket £2 million, almost five times more.
While a slight increase was introduced through a new preliminary round for seventh-tier clubs offering £600 per win the rewards for later stages remain unchanged.
In total, a Women’s Super League team lifting the trophy would earn around £814,000, compared with £3.91 million for a men’s Premier League winner.
As the Lionesses prepare to face China, the contrast between their rising success on the pitch and the financial inequalities in the domestic game continues to be a focal point for debate.
