England WU23s beaten by Norway in European title defence
England Women's Under-23s began the defence of their European title with a 2-0 defeat against Norway at York's LNER Community Stadium on Monday 12 October 2026. Lydia Bedford's team were returning to action for the first time in six months, playing in front of 3,108 spectators, which set an attendance record for the side. The crowd figure was confirmed in the Football Association's match report.
Norway took the lead in the eighth minute when Thea Kyvåg delivered a low cross from the left wing for Ronja Foss Arnesen to finish at the far post. The visitors doubled their advantage midway through the second half when Josefine Birkelund converted a header from a corner.
England searched for a route back into the contest as Emma Andrea Ronning saved from substitute Naomi Layzell and denied Sophie Harwood and Lily Murphy in quick succession. Lenna Gunning-Williams sent a low effort wide in stoppage time, but the hosts were unable to breach the Norwegian defence.
- England won the 2025-26 Women's U23 European Competition by beating Sweden 3-0 in the final in Murcia, Spain, on 17 April 2026.
- England's 2026-27 Group B opponents are Norway, Belgium, Portugal and Italy. Each team plays the others once before cross-group matches determine final placings in April.
