The first international break of 2024 is here!
Ten West Ham United women’s team players will head off to represent their respective nations in the final weeks of February, taking part in a mixture of friendly and qualifying matches.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the break…
Who has been called up?
Beginning with CONCACAF Gold Cup action, Shelina Zadorsky will represent Canada as they battle against Costa Rica, Paraguay and El Salvador in Group C. If Bev Priestman’s side are able to finish top of their group, they will advance into the latter stages of the competition. Group stage matches will take place on Thursday 22 February, Sunday 25 February and Wednesday 28 February.
Jess Ziu has been called up by Republic of Ireland for the first time since sustaining her anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2022. Ziu will be joined on camp by Jessie Stapleton, who is currently out on loan at Barclays Women’s Championship side Reading. Republic of Ireland face Italy and Wales in friendly matches on Friday 23 February and Tuesday 27 February respectively.
Honoka Hayashi, Risa Shimizu and Riko Ueki have been selected by Japan for their Olympic Qualifying fixtures against North Korea. The first match of the two-legged tie will take place on Saturday 24 February, before the deciding contest will kick-off on Wednesday 28 February.
Australia are also hoping to book their place at this summer’s Olympic Games, with Mackenzie Arnold and Katrina Gorry both called up for their two fixtures against Uzbekistan, which also take place on 24 and 28 February.
Amber Tysiak is in the Belgium squad for their UEFA Nations League relegation play-off with Hungary, which will decide whether the Red Flames keep their spot in the top tier League A. The two sides will first meet in Hungary on Friday 23 February, before heading home for the return fixture on Tuesday 27 February.
Emma Snerle will hope to feature for Denmark in their friendly fixture against Austria on Wednesday 28 February.
Anouk Denton has been called up to represent England U23s in a warm weather camp in Spain that will see them face both the Spaniards and the Netherlands in European league fixtures on Thursday 22 February and Monday 26 February.
Where can I watch the games?
At the time of writing, none of the fixtures involving West Ham United players look set to be broadcast live in the UK. Full round-ups of each game will be available at whufc.com.
Fixtures in full
Thursday 22 February
Anouk Denton | Spain U23s v England U23s, Marbella Football Centre, Spain, 11pm GMT
Friday 23 February
Shelina Zadorsky | Canada v El Salvador, CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA, 2am GMT
Amber Tysiak | Hungary v Belgium, UEFA Women’s Nations League promotion/relegation match first leg, Pancho Arena, Felcsút, Hungary, 4.45pm GMT
Jess Ziu and Jessie Stapleton | Italy v Republic of Ireland, Friendly, Stadio Curva Fiesole, Florence, Italy, 5.15pm GMT
Saturday 24 February
Katrina Gorry and Mackenzie Arnold | Uzbekistan v Australia, Asian Olympic Qualifying Play-Off first leg, Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 9am GMT
Honoka Hayashi, Risa Shimizu & Riko Ueki | Korea DPR v Japan, Asian Olympic Qualifying Play-Off, first leg, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, KO TBC
Sunday 25 February
Shelina Zadorsky | Paraguay v Canada, CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA, 10pm GMT
Monday 26 February
Anouk Denton | Netherlands U23s v England U23s, Marbella Football Centre, Spain, 12pm GMT
Tuesday 27 February
Amber Tysiak | Belgium v Hungary, UEFA Women’s Nations League promotion/relegation match, Den Dreef Stadion, Leuven, 7pm GMT
Jess Ziu and Jessie Stapleton | Republic of Ireland v Wales, Friendly, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, 7.30pm GMT
Wednesday 28 February
Katrina Gorry and Mackenzie Arnold | Australia v Uzbekistan, Asian Olympic Qualifying play-off second leg, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia, 10am GMT
Honoka Hayashi, Risa Shimizu & Riko Ueki | Japan v Korea DPR, Asian Olympic Qualifying play-off second leg, Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan, 9.30am GMT
Emma Snerle | Denmark v Austria, Friendly, Marbella Football Centre, Spain, 3.30pm GMT
Thursday 29 February
Shelina Zadorsky | Canada v Costa Rica, CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA, 11pm GMT
