England women’s football team lead the way in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours List with manager Sarina Wiegman receiving an honorary damehood and five players recognised for services to the sport.

Arsenal’s Leah Williamson has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) after captaining the national team to both 2022 and 2025 European Championship wins.

Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), and Keira Walsh (Chelsea) have been given Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs) having also played key parts in the back-to-back Euros wins. England’s head of medical and team doctor Dr Ritan Mehta was also given an MBE.

Wiegman said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honour. When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I’ve experienced from the English people. I deeply thank the fans for their support.

“This title is a reflection of my exceptional team of players and staff. Our team values mean that when there is recognition for one, then there is recognition for all. I want to pay tribute to every member of our Euro squad. They should all be celebrated for everything they brought to the pitch and for the positive role they play in society.”

England women’s first Black international and goalscorer Kerry Davis has also received an MBE for her services to football and diversity in sport.

The New Year Honours List intends to recognise achievements and service in society annually across the United Kingdom, this year naming 1,157 people from the highest honour of a knighthood and damehood to CBE, OBE and finally MBE. Honours are also given out in June, for the monarch’s official birthday and anyone can nominate recipients, who are then invited to a formal ceremony at a royal household (usually Buckingham Palace).

After winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the summer, coach John Mitchell and players Zoe Aldcroft (captain) and Marlie Packer have been awarded Orders of the British Empire (OBEs) for their services to the sport, while team-mates Ellie Kildunne, Megan Jones and Sadia Kabeya have been awarded MBEs for their services to rugby.

Kildunne scored a try in the final at Twickenham (David Rogers/Getty Images)

After two consecutive World Cup final losses in 2017 and 2022, England triumphed in London, in front of the biggest women’s rugby crowd in history of 81,885. After the record-breaking tournament for the growing sport, its chair Gill Whitehead has been given an OBE.

“It has been an historic year for women’s sport and I could not be more pleased to congratulate our Red Roses and Lionesses on their New Year’s Honours,” culture secretary Lisa Nandy said.

“To have two England teams — in two of our most loved sports — win major tournaments in the space of a few months was just extraordinary. You’ve united the country, inspired girls and boys everywhere to get into sport and well and truly changed the game.”