It’s been a bright start to 2026 for five members of the England Lionesses who have been named in the New Year’s Honors List for their contribution to the world of football. Coach Sarina Wigman, who has been awarded an honorary title, will be joined by five players, including captain Leah Williamson.
In addition to the England and Arsenal captains, there are Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh. 2025 was a historic year for the Lionesses, who defeated Spain on penalties in the final in July to win their second consecutive European Championship title.
Wiegmann’s team made history in several ways, including being the first England team to win a major international trophy on foreign soil. Liones also became the first team to win a single leg in a Euro final, as Spain went into half-time 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mariona Caldenti. However, Alessia Russo hit back in the second half and Chloe Kelly was once again on the winning side, scoring the deciding penalty in the penalty shoot-out.
The Lionesses may have had one foot in the honor list when they won Euro 2022 with an extra-time victory over Germany at Wembley. Six months after their record-breaking victory, they will enjoy another celebration.
knighthood
Christopher Dean, OBE, Olympic gold medalist, ice skating and volunteering, Huddersfield.
Dame Hood
Jayne Torvill, OBE, Olympic gold medalist, for services to ice skating and volunteering, Heathfield, East Sussex.
England women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman (honorary wife) has been praised for her contribution to the world of football.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Daniel Levy, former Tottenham executive chairman, for his services to the Potters Bar charity in Hertfordshire and to the Tottenham community.
England captain and Women’s European Championship winner Leah Williamson was honored for her contribution to football in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Fergus McCann, former Celtic CEO, businessman and philanthropist, for his contributions to Florida’s economy and philanthropy.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Derek Brewer, based in Loughborough, Leicestershire and most recently an adviser to the England and Wales Cricket Board, is responsible for the cricket service.
Anne Budge, former Hearts chairman, Midlothian, Edinburgh, for her services to sport and the community.
Jim Craig, a former Celtic defender and member of the 1967 European Cup winning Lisbon Lions team, was presented with the award for his services to Scottish football and charities, Perth and Kinross.
Gabby Logan, MBE, Broadcaster, Buckinghamshire, for services to broadcasting and charity.
John Mitchell, England Women’s Rugby Head Coach, Woking, Surrey, for his services to Rugby Union.
Barry O’Brien, former Interim Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board and former Chairman of Glamorgan, honored in London for his services to law, cricket and charity.
Murray Packer, who won the Women’s Rugby World Cup twice with England, will be honored for her work to rugby union in Camberley, Surrey.
Sarah Jane Perry, English and British squash player, grassroots champion and mentor, service to squash, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
Stuart Pringle, Chief Executive Officer, Silverstone Circuit, Service to Motorsport, Towcester, Northamptonshire.
Paula Radcliffe, MBE, broadcaster, athlete, and service to sport overseas.
England Women’s Rugby captain and 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Zoe Stratford (née Aldcroft) will be honored for her services to Rugby Union Gloucester.
Reading football commentator Clive Tildesley honored for his services to broadcasting and charity work.
Gil Whitehead, 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Chair, celebrates Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire’s contribution to women’s rugby.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Dr Francis Achor, UK Anti-Doping Non-Executive Director, Sport, London.
Susan Breegal is most recently CEO of World Netball and Chair of the North West Rowing Council for her contribution to the sport, Mr Warrington.
Daniel Costello, Chairman of Spartan Football Club, for his contribution to the community, sport and youth development, Edinburgh.
Kelly Davies, former England women’s footballer and contribution to diversity in football and sport, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Simone Fisher, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Professional Footballers’ Association, Sports Outreach, Sunbury-on-Thames.
English footballer and Women’s European Championship winner Alex Greenwood will be honored for her contribution to the world of football in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Isa Guha, broadcaster, former England cricketer, founder and chairman of Take Her Lead, a company dedicated to inclusivity and contribution to cricket, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
England women’s rugby player and 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Megan Jones has been praised for her contribution to rugby union in London.
Tara Jones, rugby league referee, works for St Helens Rugby League.
England women’s rugby player and 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Sadia Kabetani will be honored for her services to rugby union in London.
James Keothavong, Tennis Umpire, Service to Tennis and Tennis Umpire, Bedford.
Louise Kingsley, Director of Performance and Sports Services, British Rowing Team, Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Ellie Kildon, England women’s rugby player and 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, will be praised for her services to Rugby Union Reading.
David Laing has recently chaired the Borders Disability Sports Group in Roxburgh Sports.
Julia Lee recently made her contribution to rugby league, Huddersfield, as a women’s rugby league referee and defender.
Sarah Massey, 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Managing Director, Contribution to Women’s Rugby Union, Street, Somerset.
Reece McClenaghan, BEM, Olympic gymnastics and pommel horse champion, for services to gymnastics, Newtownards, County Down.
Dr Ritan Mehta, Head of Medical and Team Teams, England Women’s Football, Football Services, London.
For services to David Parkes, Athletics Department, Carmarthen.
Kambiz Ramzan Ali, for Taekwondo and service to the Harrogate community.
Toby Roberts, Olympic champion in sport climbing, Godalming, Surrey, for services to sport climbing.
Georgia Stanway, English footballer, two-time Women’s European Champion and contributor to the world of football, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Ella Toone, an English footballer who won the Women’s European Championship twice and contributed to Manchester’s football scene.
Nigel Travis, BEM, for service to boxing and the community in Moss Side, Greater Manchester.
Keira Walsh, an English footballer who won the Women’s European Championship twice and contributed to Rochdale’s football.
Colin Wright, co-founder of Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy, Sandhurst, Berkshire.
Marie Wright, co-founder of Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy, Sandhurst, Berkshire.
