Bold claim: Leah Williamson’s journey from a reluctant dreamer to England’s defining captain shows how persistence can turn doubt into world-class triumph. But here’s where it gets controversial: not every path to a World Cup is a straight line. This rewritten version preserves the core story, adds clarity for beginners, and maintains a friendly, professional tone with extra context, examples, and thought-provoking prompts.
Leah Williamson: England captain, World Cup hopeful, and a life beyond football
The Football Interview is a fresh series where top athletes and entertainment figures join host Kelly Somers for candid, in-depth conversations about the nation’s beloved sport. It explores mindset and motivation, dives into defining moments, career highs, and personal reflections, and reveals the person behind the player.
Interviews air on weekends across BBC iPlayer, YouTube, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website. This weekend’s chat with Williamson will be broadcast on BBC One at 23:50 BST on Saturday, 28 February.
Leah Williamson has tasted almost every triumph available in women’s football. She has captained England to two European titles and, during a 20-year tenure with Arsenal, claimed the Champions League and the first-ever Women’s Champions Cup. Now she sets her sights on lifting the World Cup.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Williamson tells Kelly Somers she once considered walking away from football as a teenager, but a pivotal talk with her mother convinced her to persevere. She also opens up about her passion for fashion and how music helps her unwind from the day-to-day pressures of the sport.
Kelly Somers: Leah, great to see you. Let’s begin with football. Tell me about your earliest memories, your first football experiences, and—given something you mentioned off camera—how good you were as a kid.
Leah Williamson: My earliest memory of playing football dates back to when I was five or six, during my gymnastics days. We were waiting for our parents after training, and the coach—a football fan—brought out a soft ball, so we kicked around. My first real memory is playing for my local team, Scots Youth FC. I was the only girl there, and I was shielded by my teammates, but the experiences with opposing teams weren’t always kind.
Kelly: So you were targeted because you were a girl?
Leah: It was mostly the parents who created pressure—‘Don’t let her do that to you, she’s a girl.’ I imagine some of them are looking back now and might think differently about how they treated me.
Kelly: When did you start thinking this could be more than just a hobby?
Leah: I had a turning point around age 15. I told my mum I might quit, and she challenged me to be honest with the world. We discussed it in the car park, and I said I was tired of the travel, the cost, and the uncertainty. My dad always believed I could earn a living from football, while I tended to be more pragmatic and cautious. I wasn’t the loudest player, and back then, some first-team opportunities didn’t come my way. Still, I chose to persevere.
Kelly: You made the right call, didn’t you?
Leah: I’m glad I did. I didn’t commit to university, which helped me focus on football. On my 18th birthday, I signed my professional contract. For many of us, the alternative was pursuing a scholarship in America, reminiscent of Bend It Like Beckham. The game in England began to accelerate, and I realized I didn’t want to leave this momentum behind.
Kelly: Was there a defining moment when you realized this could become a career—beyond your mum’s encouragement?
Leah: The 2015 World Cup was pivotal. In the lead-up camps, a larger squad is usually assembled, and reserve players train alongside the main group. After a season with Arsenal, I had already started turning heads. I received a call from the manager, Mark Sampson, who told me he’d hoped to bring me into the prep camp despite my injury. I didn’t go then, and the opportunity slipped away. Returning home, I realized how much I cared about the game, and I resolved to try harder. The England call-up followed, and that moment solidified that football could be a lifelong career for me.
Kelly: If you could relive one match from your career, which would it be?
Leah: It’s hard to pick just one. The Champions League final was emotionally and physically exhausting, and I wouldn’t relive that. But the 2022 Euros final stands out. From the moment we stepped onto the pitch, I felt certain we would win. Wembley, 90,000 fans, the whole atmosphere—everything clicked. The moment it ended, the impact of the win became clear, and the country’s attention shifted dramatically.
Kelly: Do you remember realizing you’d changed the game for people?
Leah: It’s rare to fully grasp what you’re living in real time. The team did a remarkable job shielding us from the noise while feeding us enough information to stay grounded. The Wembley experience—seeing the crowd, the helicopter, the sea of England supporters—felt like a home match on the world stage. It remains the most extraordinary memory for me.
Kelly: How did that victory change your life?
Leah: It transformed everything. Overnight, we went from relative anonymity to global recognition. My teammates and I often talk about accepting that we might never feel that level of attention again. It gave me fuel, too—an urge to chase more milestones rather than settle for what’s already been achieved.
Kelly: And how did it influence your approach to subsequent competitions?
Leah: The 2025 Euros brought a different kind of challenge. The team’s unity was extraordinary, and we fought relentlessly, even as I battled injuries late in the final. The experience showed me that success isn’t a single moment but a sustained collective effort.
Away from the pitch, what were you like growing up?
Leah: I was insufferable in a playful way, a natural performer who owned the spaces I entered. I’ve always been measured and purposeful, perhaps a bit too determined even as a child.
Kelly: Your family has played a big role in your journey, right?
Leah: Absolutely. They celebrate every milestone with me. My mum and dad split their time between supporting me and my brother, who plays for our hometown club. My family has fully embraced women’s football, and their belief in me has been a steady foundation. My dad’s unwavering faith and my mum’s practical honesty have balanced me, helping me navigate the sport’s pressures.
What’s your ideal day off? How do you unwind from football?
Leah: I’m quite good at switching off, which is essential given how little time we have away from the game. An ideal day might involve waking without an alarm, attending a concert or theatre, or simply enjoying a cinema visit and a nice meal. I love music, and time away lets me forget football for a while. I recently picked up a home keyboard again, which signals a serious return to playing.
Leah: I’m passionate about fashion, too. It’s a form of personal expression. While I wear a uniform to work, my days off are about wearing something that makes me feel good and confident.
What’s something about you that might surprise people?
Leah: I’m fiercely loyal. I’d drop anything for my family, friends, or partner if needed. Some people may think I’m aloof or reserved, but I wear my heart on my sleeve. I speak my mind and value honesty, even if it means facing light ribbing from teammates. I’m protective of my personal space, which can make me appear different to the public eye when I’m in “off” mode.
You’ve accomplished a lot. What’s next if you could achieve one more thing?
Leah: The last major trophy on my list is a World Cup. After all I’ve achieved, lifting the World Cup would top the list for me. It’s what many of my teammates also crave, and with women’s football evolving so quickly, the competition is fiercer than ever. It makes the pursuit even more exciting—and, for many, more controversial. Do you think a World Cup would redefine the sport in your country, or would it spark new debates about preparation, funding, and equality in football? share your thoughts in the comments.
Kelly: Leah, thank you for sharing so much. I could have talked for hours.
Leah: Thank you for having me.
