2026 Solheim Cup Team Europe: The Complete Roster for Team Europe

The Team Europe roster has been finalized: At the 2026 Solheim Cup, twelve players led by Captain Anna Nordqvist will face off against defending champions Team USA. The European squad combines extensive match-play experience with four rookies who have made a name for themselves in recent months. The coveted trophy will be up for grabs from September 11 to 13 at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.

Who is on Team Europe for the 2026 Solheim Cup? How was the team selected, and which players are making their debut? This overview introduces Team Europe, the captain, and all twelve players. For all additional information on TV broadcasts, live scores, and the Solheim Cup format, see our detailed guide.

Team Europe at the 2026 Solheim Cup: Key Facts

• Captain: Anna Nordqvist
• Vice Captains: Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid, and Anne van Dam
• Players: twelve
• Automatically Qualified Players: eight
• Captain’s Picks: four
• First-timeparticipants: four
• Venue: Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands
• Dates: September 11–13, 2026
• Opponent: Team USA
• CurrentStatus: The U.S. is the defending champion

Here you’ll find all the key information about the 2026 Solheim Cup: tickets, live scoring, and format.

This is Team Europe at the 2026 Solheim Cup

How was Team Europe selected?

The European team was assembled in three ways. Two players earned their spots through the LET Solheim Cup points list. Six others qualified via the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Captain Anna Nordqvist awarded the final four spots through personal selection.

The qualification period began with the 2024 La Sella Open and ended after the AIG Women’s Open on August 2, 2026. The race for the second direct spot via the LET points list was particularly close: Esther Henseleit edged out Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini after a strong finish.

Read here to find out who will compete for Team USA at the 2026 Solheim Cup.

The eight automatic qualifiers

The following players qualifiedvia the LET Solheim Cup points list:

• Charley Hull, England
• Esther Henseleit, Germany

The following players qualifiedvia the Rolex World Rankings:

• Lottie Woad, England
• Maja Stark, Sweden
• Céline Boutier, France
• Carlota Ciganda, Spain
• Linn Grant, Sweden
• Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Denmark

Charley Hull finished the qualifying period at the top of the LET points list. During the qualifying period, she won the PIF Saudi Ladies International, among other tournaments, and recorded several other top-ten finishes. Henseleit made her decisive move with a fourth-place finish at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open and a second-place finish at the AIG Women’s Open. In the end, she was just 0.9 points ahead of Tamburlini.

How the 2026 Solheim Cup Works: Rules and Formats for the Women’s Team Event.

Four Captain’s Picks by Anna Nordqvist

On August 3, Nordqvist completed the team with four personal selections. She chose Leona Maguire, Julia López Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes. With this selection, she included one experienced Solheim Cup player and three rookies on the roster.

Speaking about Leona Maguire in a press statement, Nordqvist said: “Leona has proven herself in the Solheim Cup; she has an enormous passion for the European team, and her record speaks for itself. She’s the kind of player you especially want on your team in match play, and I’m very happy to select her.”

The selection highlights what was important to Nordqvist in putting the team together: Maguire brings proven match-play skills, while López Ramírez, Nadaud, and Rhodes represent different aspects of the European team’s new direction.

Anna Nordqvist: An Experienced Captain for Team Europe

Anna Nordqvist knows the Solheim Cup like few other players. The Swede has competed in the event nine times as a player and will take on the role of European captain for the first time in 2026, marking her tenth overall appearance. She is also a three-time major champion.

Nordqvist is supported by three former teammates: Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid, and Anne van Dam will serve as her vice captains. The leadership team thus combines many years of Solheim Cup experience with a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of this transatlantic showdown.

In the Netherlands, Nordqvist is relying on a clear mix: Eight players already have firsthand experience with the Solheim Cup, while four others will make their debut at Bernardus. This balance of experience and fresh energy is intended to help Europe reclaim the trophy.

A profile of the twelve players on Team Europe

Charley Hull: Europe’s experienced star player

Charley Hull is the most experienced player on the English-dominated side of the team. She qualified by finishing first on the LET Solheim Cup points list and will be playing in her eighth Solheim Cup in the Netherlands. She made her debut back in 2013.

Hull has earned 16.5 points in her 27 matches to date. She brings plenty of distance, pace, and international experience to the team. During the qualifying phase, she won twice on the Ladies European Tour and cemented her position as one of the most important players on the European squad with additional top finishes.

The Englishwoman is known for her aggressive golf and passion. In the last Solheim Cup, despite the European team’s loss, she was one of the most notable players and, among other achievements, scored a decisive victory over Nelly Korda.

Esther Henseleit: Secured Her Spot on the Team in the Final Stretch

Esther Henseleit is the second player, alongside Hull, to qualify via the LET points list. The German secured her spot with a strong finish: a fourth-place finish at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open was followed by a second-place finish at the AIG Women’s Open.

This propelled Henseleit to second place on the points list. She will be competing in the Solheim Cup for the second time. In her debut in 2024, she earned 1.5 points from three matches and, among other things, played foursomes alongside Hull.

For Henseleit, returning to Europe is particularly important. “I’m very happy to be part of the European Solheim Cup team again,” she said after qualifying. “It was a great experience last time in the U.S., but I’m really looking forward to being on the team on European soil.”

Lottie Woad: The Most Prominent Rookie

Lottie Woad is the highest-ranked rookie on the European team. The Englishwoman is ranked fifth in the Rolex World Rankings and thus qualified for Bernardus via the ranking route.

Although Woad has only been a professional for just over a year, she has already won on the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA Tour. In her first professional season, she claimed victory at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, among other events, and later won the Kroger Queen City Championship as well.

Her Solheim Cup debut will therefore take place not just anywhere, but on European soil. “Playing my first Solheim Cup on European soil is something very special,” said Woad. “I’m really looking forward to having all the European fans there.”

Maja Stark: Swedish Major Champion

Maja Stark is set to make her third Solheim Cup appearance. The Swede was already part of the European team in 2023 and immediately secured a crucial point in singles on her debut against Allisen Corpuz, the reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion at the time.

Stark won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2025, bringing not only Solheim Cup experience but also the distinction of a major championship victory. In the past two editions, she played in several sessions and has proven that she doesn’t shy away from facing big names in head-to-head matchups.

Céline Boutier: France’s Proven Team Player

Céline Boutier is one of the most experienced players on the European squad. In 2026, she will be competing in the Solheim Cup for the fifth time. Her record to date includes 7.5 points from 14 matches.

In her 2019 debut, Boutier won all four matches alongside Georgia Hall. The Frenchwoman has also demonstrated her class outside the Solheim Cup this year: In May, she won the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Boutier combines technical skill with experience in high-pressure situations. For Nordqvist, she is therefore a key pillar of a team that must find the right pairings for foursomes and fourballs over the first two days.

Carlota Ciganda: Europe’s Solheim Cup Icon

Carlota Ciganda has competed in every Solheim Cup since her debut in 2013. At Bernardus, the Spaniard will be making her eighth appearance. With 14 points from 27 matches, she is one of the most successful active European players in this competition.

Ciganda was particularly strong in 2023, when she won all four of her matches and even defeated Nelly Korda in singles. The Spaniard brings a rare combination of experience, confidence, and enthusiasm for the team competition. “I love the Solheim Cup,” she admitted after qualifying. “It’s my favorite tournament, and I can’t wait to return in the European colors in front of the European fans.”

Linn Grant: A Well-Established Partner with Carlota Ciganda

Linn Grant will be playing in her third Solheim Cup. The Swede has a special connection with Carlota Ciganda: In 2023, the two formed an undefeated four-ball duo and helped secure the European victory.

Grant is already familiar with the routines and the pressure of the transatlantic showdown from her two previous appearances. Her shared experience with Ciganda could be a significant advantage for Nordqvist when putting together the pairings. In both singles and team play, Grant also offers the versatility that a Solheim Cup squad needs.

Nanna Koerstz Madsen: Returning from the 2021 winning team

Nanna Koerstz Madsen is returning to the European Solheim Cup team after a five-year hiatus. The Danish player was already part of the team that won the competition in the U.S. in 2021. In her second appearance, she will now experience her first Solheim Cup on European soil.

In 2021, Koerstz Madsen, teaming up with Carlota Ciganda, secured a crucial four-ball point on the final hole. She also tied her singles match against Austin Ernst. Her return adds a player to the European squad who knows firsthand the special value of team golf.

Leona Maguire: The Match Play Specialist

Leona Maguire is the most experienced of the four Captain’s Picks. The Irishwoman will be competing in her fourth consecutive Solheim Cup and has earned 8.5 points in twelve matches. Her record makes her one of the most compelling match-play players on the European team.

In her 2021 debut, Maguire remained undefeated and played a key role in the European team’s away victory. She has also been a mainstay in subsequent tournaments. The fact that Nordqvist placed her trust in her despite her lack of automatic qualification underscores the significance of her Solheim Cup performances.

Maguire herself emphasized after her nomination: “I love the Solheim Cup—it brings out the best in my game, and I love being part of the team.”

Julia López Ramírez: Spain’s Powerhouse Debutante

Julia López Ramírez will get her first chance to compete in the Solheim Cup at Bernardus. The Spaniard was ranked No. 1 in the world as an amateur and has continued to improve since turning pro.

López Ramírez is known as a powerful ball-striker. In 2026, she recorded several top-25 finishes on the LPGA Tour, including at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, and made the cut at the AIG Women’s Open.

Nordqvist highlighted not only her athletic ability but also her personality. “She has really impressed me since turning pro,” said the captain. “She has a great personality, is a great ball-striker, is very passionate, and will bring a lot of energy to the European team.”

Nastasia Nadaud: France’s Rising Star

At 21, Nastasia Nadaud is one of the youngest players on the team and will be making her Solheim Cup debut. The Frenchwoman won the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in late 2025—her first title on the Ladies European Tour.

Afterward, Nadaud successfully made the transition to the LPGA Tour. She earned her tour card and made the cut in every major tournament she competed in during 2026. This gave Nordqvist strong reasons to nominate her.

The captain described Nadaud as a player who had steadily improved during the qualifying phase. Nadaud herself said after her selection: “It’s unbelievable. If you had told me six months ago that I’d be on the European Solheim Cup team, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Mimi Rhodes: Rookie of the Year with Team Experience

Mimi Rhodes rounds out the four Captain’s Picks. The Englishwoman won three tournaments on the Ladies European Tour in 2025 and was subsequently named Rookie of the Year.

Her path to Bernardus isn’t just based on her individual successes on the LET. Rhodes also played on a winning Curtis Cup team and is therefore already familiar with the atmosphere of international team competitions. While she’s making her Solheim Cup debut, she’s by no means inexperienced in match play and team golf.

Nordqvist praised Rhodes as an “experienced match-play player” and an “uncompromising competitor.” For Rhodes herself, the nomination fulfills a long-held wish: “It has always been a dream and a goal of mine to play in the Solheim Cup.”

Four Rookies, Four Different Paths to Bernardus

The four rookies are an important part of the European team’s 2026 story. They do not come from the same background and bring different experiences to the table:

• Lottie Woad arrives ranked fifth in the world and as a winner on two Tours.
• Julia López Ramírez impresses with her distance, athleticism, and rapid development on the professional circuit.
• Nastasia Nadaud has made a name for herself with her first LET title and a strong major season.
• Mimi Rhodes brings three LET victories, the Rookie of the Year title, and Curtis Cup experience to the team.

Together, these four players give the team a fresh perspective. At the same time, they are supported by eight established team members who know what it’s like to navigate that unique mix of pressure, teamwork, and head-to-head match play.

Team Europe vs. Team USA: The 2026 Preview

Europe heads into the 20th Solheim Cup with a clear goal: to bring the trophy back to Europe. Team USA won the 2024 edition at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club by a score of 15.5–12.5. In the all-time series, the Americans lead 11–7–1.

In 2023, the match in Spain ended in a 14–14 tie. Because Europe was the defending champion at the time, the trophy remained with the European team despite the tie. In 2026, the situation is reversed: Team USA arrives at Bernardus as the defending champion. A tie would therefore be enough for the Americans to retain the trophy.

Europe’s strengths include the experience of players like Hull, Ciganda, and Maguire, as well as the exceptional quality of several previous pairings. At the same time, the younger half of the captain’s picks brings new energy to the team. How well Nordqvist brings together the different types of players in the foursomes and fourballs is likely to be one of the decisive factors in the tournament.

This does not mean Europe is a clear favorite. In match play, a single hole can turn an entire match around, and on Sunday, twelve individual points will be up for grabs. Europe’s best chance therefore lies in the combination of experienced match-players, current form, and the support of European fans.

Rules: How the 2026 Solheim Cup Works

The Solheim Cup is not played as a traditional stroke play competition, but rather as match play. Foursomes and fourballs are on the schedule for Friday and Saturday, respectively. On Sunday, all twelve players from each team compete against one another in singles matches.

A total of 28 points will be awarded:

• Friday and Saturday: four foursomes and four fourballs each
• Sunday: twelve singles matches
• A tied match earns each team half a point
• Europe needs 14.5 points for the overall victory
• As the defending champion, Team USA only needs a tie with 14 points

For a detailed explanation of match play, foursomes, fourballs, and the singles matches at the Solheim Cup, see our Rules and Format Guide.

Bernardus Golf: Europe’s venue for the 2026 Solheim Cup

The 2026 Solheim Cup will be held in the Netherlands for the first time. The tournament will be held at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, a course near ’s-Hertogenbosch and Eindhoven. The course has already hosted major tournaments and offers a new setting for the showdown between Europe and the U.S.

The three main days of play will take place from September 11 to 13. If you’d like to learn more about the course, how to get there, and the unique features of the venue, check out our article with everything you need to know about Bernardus Golf as the host of the Solheim Cup.

FAQ: Team Europe at the 2026 Solheim Cup

Who will play for Team Europe at the 2026 Solheim Cup?

The European team includes Charley Hull, Esther Henseleit, Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Céline Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Leona Maguire, Julia López Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes.

Who is the captain of Team Europe?

Anna Nordqvist will lead Team Europe as captain at the 2026 Solheim Cup. Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid, and Anne van Dam will support her as vice captains.

How many first-time players are on Team Europe?

Four players will make their debut in 2026: Lottie Woad, Julia López Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes.

Who received the Captain’s Picks for Team Europe?

Anna Nordqvist selected Leona Maguire, Julia López Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes as her captain’s picks.

How was the European squad selected?

Two players qualified via the LET Solheim Cup points list, and six via the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Captain Anna Nordqvist awarded the remaining four spots.

When will Team Europe play in the 2026 Solheim Cup?

The matches will take place September 11–13, 2026, at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, the Netherlands.

When did Europe last win the Solheim Cup?

Europe last won outright in 2021. In 2023, the match ended in a tie, so Europe retained the trophy as defending champion. In 2024, Team USA prevailed.

Conclusion: Experience Meets New Energy

The 2026 Solheim Cup Team Europe is a squad that blends proven talent with fresh momentum. Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda are among the most experienced players in the competition. Leona Maguire brings an outstanding match play record, while Céline Boutier, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, and Esther Henseleit also know just how challenging this transatlantic showdown is.

Joining them are four rookies, each representing the next generation of European golf in their own way. Anna Nordqvist has thus assembled a squad that combines experience with potential for growth. Whether this mix will be enough to beat Team USA at Bernardus will be decided on the course from September 11 to 13.