James: England must keep looking forward in quest for World Cup place

Lauren James says England cannot change their predicament ahead of their two-legged Women's World Cup qualification play-off with Greece; the Lionesses play Greece away in Crete on Friday, before hosting the same opposition four days later at Leicester's King Power Stadium

Lauren James says England cannot do anything about the situation they find themselves in and just need to beat Greece in their play-off double-header in an effort to secure their place at next summer’s World Cup.

England face Greece home and away after finishing second in qualifying Group 3 behind Spain on goal difference.

If they progress past Greece, Sarina Wiegman's side will face the winner of the Slovakia vs Ukraine tie, with the team that comes through that securing qualification for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

"We can't change what happened and that's where we are now," James told Sky Sports News.

"That's always our goal at the end of the day, and the position we're in at the moment is, we have to win in order to get to somewhere.

"The World Cup's a massive tournament that you always want to be a part of and it's everyone's dream from a little kid.

"So, to go there and get another opportunity again, it's obviously something we're all trying to aim for."

James, who signed a new contract earlier this year, is in good form at club level, with second-placed Chelsea dropping just two points from five league games this season.

But the forward, who was Chelsea's player of the year in 2024, insists her best is still to come.

"I'm always looking forward to coming into camp with England and getting another opportunity to play games for the country," said James.

"I think it always helps massively when you're doing well with your club, which obviously is why you get called up for your country. Hopefully I can just build the momentum and keep going.

"Every time I put on a shirt, whether it's for club or country, I always want to just show what I'm made of.

"The more you play, the more you have rhythm and I like to just play free. And I think the best is still yet to come.