Laila Harbert

Harbert grew up in Bexley, playing with a boys' team that her father coached. She moved to be closer to the Arsenal training grounds as she got to secondary school age,^[2] having joined the Arsenal Academy at age nine,^[2] and trained with the boys team between 12 and 15 years old.^[3]

Harbert has represented the England Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 national teams.

Harbert was part of the England squad^[13] who got to the semi-final of the 2023 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, where they ended their run with a 3–1 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals.^[14] The midfielder later captained the Under-17 side^[15] to the final of the 2024 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, where they were again beaten by Spain in a 0–4 loss in Malmö, Sweden.^[16]

Towards the end of 2024, Harbert was also given the captain's armband for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup as England looked to overcome their previous defeats by rivals Spain. The England side were defeated again in the semi-finals by the Spanish team, and then beaten by the United States in the third-place playoff to finish fourth.^[17]

Harbert made her Under-19 debut in the Albir Garden Tournament in yet another defeat to Spain, starting all three of England's games in the tournament.^[18]

Harbert received her first call-up for the Under-23 squad on 15 October 2025, making the jump up from the U-19 squad.^[19]

Having made her debut for the Under-23s in a 5-0 defeat to Germany^[20], Harbert then received her first call-up for the England Under-20 squad for their first training camp in preparation for the 2026 Under-20 World Cup. Harbert made her debut for the England Under-20 side in a 1-2 win against China.^[21]

Harbert has been described as a technical player with vision and a commanding presence. She is known for her passing, both short and long.^[22]

As of match on 15 November 2025^[23]