Last week, the 19-year-old received her first call-up to the Lionesses senior team.
She is the fourth black goalie to be called up to an England squad.
Previous squads have been chastised for their lack of diversity.
Khiara Keating aims to be an inspiration as she strives to become the Lionesses’ first goalie of color.
Following a succession of impressive performances for Manchester City at the start of the Women’s Super League season, the 19-year-old gained her first call-up to the England senior team last week.
Keating, who is mixed-race, is just the fourth goalkeeper of color to be called up to an England team, men’s or women’s, following David James, Shaka Hislop, and Becky Spencer. Hislop and Spencer went on to represent Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, respectively. James is the only one who has played.
There has already been criticism of the lack of representation in prior England teams, and Arsenal issued a statement following the publishing of their 2023-2024 all-white squad photo.
‘I think it’s vital for everybody to make their debut, but clearly there aren’t many of us coming from a diverse background,’ Keating remarked.
Khiara Keating is only the fourth black goalie to be called up to an England squad, men’s or women’s.
Wiegman has given the outstanding 19-year-old goalkeeper her first senior squad call-up.
Keating is relishing training alongside Mary Earps (pictured), England’s No 1 and the current FIFA
The best goalkeeper
‘I think we’re starting to see a surge, and I’m just glad I can be an encouragement to anyone out there who is thinking, “maybe I’ll get judged, or maybe it’s not for me.”
‘I’m simply grateful to be in a situation where I can be a role model to those people,’ she says.
Keating is one of four goalkeepers in the Lionesses squad for back-to-back Nations League matches against Belgium, joining Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, and Ellie Roebuck.
The teenager was rewarded for keeping Roebuck and Sandy MacIver, who just moved her international allegiance from England to Scotland, out of the City team, but she confessed she was surprised by the call from manager Sarina Wiegman.
‘I was driving, and then obviously, I went back on my phone, and I saw Sarina’s photo,’ Keating recounted of the chat.
‘I was thinking “maybe I should call her back to see what she wants!” Then she told me the wonderful news, and I was overjoyed.’
Ger has been compensated for keeping Roebuck and Sandy MacIver off the City team.
The teenager said she has also enjoyed practicing with Earps, England’s No. 1 and current FIFA Best goalkeeper.
‘She [Earps] has demonstrated to everyone over the last year that she is the best in the world and that she can achieve anything.
‘It’s obviously weird that I’m here with her. Training with Ellie and Sandy during the week helps to calm my worries because they are both fantastic keepers.’
England will play Belgium at Leicester’s Kingpower Stadium on Friday before returning to Leuven the following week.
