England Women's captain Leah Williamson has refused to rule out players going on strike if their concerns over scheduling and player welfare aren't addressed. The 28-year-old, returning from knee surgery after Euro 2025, highlighted how the increasingly demanding schedule is leading to more injuries in women's football. Williamson missed the 2023 World Cup after an ACL injury and believes the current workload is unsustainable.

While praising the Football Association for efforts to ease player strain, Williamson emphasized that more needs to be done. The England squad recently received a rare 10-day break between fixtures, something Williamson noted players rarely experience. She stressed that players want high-quality games but need proper rest periods to maintain performance and prevent injuries.

Williamson said drastic action remains possible if governing bodies ignore player concerns. "If a group of people doesn't feel like they're getting listened to then history suggests that's the only way sometimes they can be heard," she stated. The captain emphasized that players are willing to collaborate but will not rule out strike action if necessary to protect their welfare and the future of the women's game.