Aston Villa midfielder handed first senior England call-up

The 21-year-old, who joined Villa from Southampton in the summer, has been named in boss Sarina Weigman’s first Lionesses squad since Euro 2025.

Her Villa team-mate Missy Bo Kearns is also part of the 25-player group for friendly matches against Brazil and Australia later this month.

Kendall has already played in several positions, including full-back, in her young career but discussing her call-up on Tuesday, Weigman said: “At the moment I see her as a midfielder. 

“I think she has performed really well for Villa and I want to see her (play) there.

“I like her game understanding, reading the game really well, being tough in duels but also in possession doing well. I think her positioning and game understanding was really good.”

Kendall is one of three debut call-ups with Arsenal duo Katie Reid and Taylor Hinds also included.

The latter had previously switched her allegiances to Jamaica but is yet to represent them in a competitive fixture.

Weigman, meanwhile, confirmed she wanted to select Millie Bright in the squad before the Chelsea defender announced her retirement from international football on Monday.

Bright, who captained England to the 2023 World Cup final, had ruled herself out of Euro 2025 saying she would be unable to give “100 per cent physically or mentally”.

She has now decided to call time on her international career for good after 88 caps.

Weigman said: "She's still a very good player so I want her in the squad but I totally respect and understand the decision.

"She had been thinking about it very thoroughly. When a player makes a decision like this and has such an incredible career internationally, then it's not appropriate to have that conversation (trying to change her mind).

"Off the back of the Euros we had a conversation. She told me she would retire from international football. She has been huge for us, for me, for the team - on and off the pitch.”

Right-back Lucy Bronze is in the squad after recovering from the fractured tibia she played with during Euro 2025.