Millie Bright and Carly Telford, pictured, are among half a dozen Chelsea Women players who will be vying for places in the national squad in three years’ time after England was confirmed as hosting the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2021, writes Jane Grove.

The continental championship will be played at eight venues across the country – including Wembley Stadium and Brentford Community Stadium – with the final staged at Wembley. With no other countries bidding to host the tournament, awarding it to England was an easy decision for the authorities.

England will therefore automatically qualify as one of the 16 teams taking part.

The Lionesses reached the semis at Euro 2017 in the Netherlands, and – like Scotland – have also qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup next June.

 “It’s a tremendous opportunity to celebrate women’s football; we cannot underestimate the positive impact this tournament will have on inspiring the next generation,” said FA chief Martin Glenn.

Baroness Sue Campbell, FA director of women’s football, added: “Tournaments of the scale and profile of Euro 2021 have the power to inspire a new generation of young girls, and women of all ages, to get involved in the sport – for fitness, competition or just pure enjoyment.”