Several West Ham United women’s team players will be involved in international action over the coming week, with qualifying for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 set to conclude.
While pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 Barclays Women's Super League campaign is now firmly on the horizon, eight of our Hammers could turn out for their respective nations over a five day period of qualifying and friendly fixtures.
It is set to be another busy summer on the international scene with the 2024 Olympic Games beginning at the end of July, and Japan and Australia continue their preparations with matches over the weekend.
Read on for all you need to know about those that could feature over the next few days...
Who has been called up?
New signing Kinga Szemik is in the Poland squad for their upcoming Euro 2025 qualifying matches against Austria on Friday 12 July and Iceland on Tuesday 16 July in League A Group 4.
The goalkeeper joined the Hammers on 1 July 2024 after leaving Stade de Reims, and has made 17 appearances for her country since her debut in 2018.
Republic of Ireland duo Jessie Stapleton and Jess Ziu are also set to be involved in qualifying matches, and face England on Friday 12 July and France on Tuesday 16 July in their final outings in League A Group 3.
Halle Houssein has been called up to represent Türkiye for the first time ahead of their crucial qualifying clashes against Switzerland on Friday 12 July and Hungary on Tuesday 16 July. Türkiye have the opportunity to top League B Group 1 and earn promotion to Group A should they win both games.
Houssein had previously been capped at England youth level, but is of Turkish and Cypriot descent and has decided to represent Türkiye.
Defender Amber Tysiak could also be in action for her country as Belgium prepare to face off against Denmark on Friday 12 July and Spain on Tuesday 16 July in their final two qualifying matches.
Kirsty Smith has been selected for Scotland for their qualifying fixtures against Slovakia on Friday 12 July and Serbia on Tuesday 16 July.
Away from European qualifying, Riko Ueki will be hoping to feature for Japan in their match against Ghana on Saturday 13 July. Japan face the African nation in the MS&AD Cup, an annual competition which will this year form part of Japan’s 2024 Olympic Games preparations.
Likewise, Katrina Gorry will hope to pick up some minutes for Australia in their Olympic warm-up friendly match against Canada on Saturday 13 July. Gorry hasn't featured for Club or country since coming off injured against Chelsea in March, and will be looking to score some game-time ahead of the tournament.
Where can I watch the games?
Scotland fans will be able to watch Smith in action in both of their matches, with the games against Slovakia and Serbia being shown on BBC Alba, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Republic of Ireland’s match against England on Friday will also be shown in the UK on ITV1, STV and ITVX.
Unfortunately, the remaining fixtures are not available to watch in the UK.
Fixtures in full
Friday 12 July 2024
Kinga Szemik | Austria v Poland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group A4, Stadion Schnabelholz, Altach, Austria, 5pm BST
Kirsty Smith | Slovakia v Scotland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group B2, Štadión pod Zoborom, Nitra, Slovakia, 6pm BST
Halle Houssein | Türkiye v Switzerland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group B1, Kocaeli Stadium, İzmit, Türkiye, 6.30pm BST
Jessie Stapleton & Jess Ziu | England v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group A3, Carrow Road, Norwich, England, 8pm BST
Amber Tysiak | Belgium v Denmark - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group A2, Stayen, Sint-Truiden, Belgium, 7pm BST
Saturday 13 July 2024
Riko Ueki | Japan v Ghana - MS&AD Cup, Kanazawa Stadium, Kanazawa, Japan, 7.20am BST
Katrina Gorry | Australia v Canada - International match, Marbella Football Center, Marbella, Spain, 8pm BST
Tuesday 16 July 2024
Halle Houssein | Hungary v Türkiye - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group B1, Ménfői úti Stadion, Győr, Hungary, 6pm BST
Kinga Szemik | Poland v Iceland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group A4, Zagłębiowski Park Sportowy, Sosnowiec, Poland, 6pm BST
Jessie Stapleton & Jess Ziu | Republic of Ireland v France - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group A3, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, Republic of Ireland, 6pm BST
Kirsty Smith | Scotland v Serbia - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group B2, Firhill Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, 6pm BST
Amber Tysiak | Spain v Belgium - UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Qualifying Group A2, Riazor, A Coruña, Spain, 6pm BST
