Blues Set To Star On Global Stage

A host of Everton Women’s stars have jetted off and reported for international duty ahead of a busy break from club football.

Three of ‘Japarton’ have travelled to the Asia Cup, as Honoka Hayashi, Rion Ishikawa and Hikaru Kitagawa prepare to claim more silverware.

The Nadeshiko lifted the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, beating the United States 2-1 in the final of the prestigious competition. It was Yuka Momiki who broke the deadlock in the game, the forward netting inside two minutes.

The trio face Chinese Tapei, India and Vietnam in their group.

Also bidding for silverware is Clare Wheeler, who has linked up with her Australia teammates as they look to lift the Asia Cup.

The Matildas have been drawn in the same group as Philippines, Iran and South Korea; and will be confident of getting far in the competition.

Martina Fernandez’s “dreams came true” when the defender was named in Spain’s senior squad for the first ever time. The centre-back will be joined by fellow-Toffees Inma Gabarro and Ornella Vignola – Vignola also called-up to the senior side for the first time after impressing in royal blue.

The trio face Iceland on home soil before travelling to face Ukraine and will be hopeful of writing their names in the history books for their nation.

Kelly Gago will be looking to get on the scoresheet for France once more when she swaps the Blues for Les Bleus.

Her side face the Republic of Ireland away from home before playing the Netherlands. Gago hit the back of the net last time she donned her nation’s colours – her 106th-minute strike securing a bronze medal for her side in the UEFA Nations League.

Courtney Brosnan will be looking to prevent that from happening, though, with her set to line-up in between the sticks against France.

The shot-stopper, who committed her long-term future to the Club earlier the month, will also face the Netherlands.

Our Young Lionesses Ruby Mace and Laila Harbert will be in action for England’s youth teams over the break.

It is set to be a busy break for Harbert, who signed on loan from European champions Arsenal in January.

The young midfielder faces Spain away from home, before returning to home soil to face the Netherlands and Mexico.

Mace, who captained the Under-23s last time out, has linked up with her Three Lions teammates ahead of their clashes with France and the Netherlands.

The second of those fixtures will see her battle in midfield against Everton teammate Rosa van Gool, who has made the trip to her home nation to prepare for the face-off with Mace and another game against Scotland.

Newest addition and the first Slovenian to play in the WSL, Zara Kramzar has been training with her side ahead of their matches against Germany away and then Austria back in her home nation.