England Women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman has reassured that questions about her contract and squad fitness will not distract the team, as the Lionesses prepare for their opening World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland.
Wiegman, who has guided England to consecutive European Championship victories, enters the final year of her contract, which concludes at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Contract Talks Won’t Distract the Team
During the squad announcement, Wiegman confirmed that discussions about a potential extension are ongoing but stressed that the team’s focus remains on qualification:
“No update. It’s pretty far away. We are in conversations all the time, and we’re still very happy from both sides.”
“We’re now really focusing on this qualification. We want to qualify, and the best possible way is to do that in June [automatically, avoiding playoffs]. We’re going for that, and let’s firstly do that.”
She added that speculation around her contract is not occupying players or staff:
“There is no distraction whatsoever. We want to really focus on this qualification. We’re really excited to get started. I haven’t heard anyone in my team or staff that has been occupied with that.”
Ukraine Game on Neutral Ground
England’s first qualifier against Ukraine will take place in Turkey due to the ongoing conflict. Wiegman reflected on the decision and its emotional impact:
“It’s very sad and heartbreaking what Ukraine have experienced, and that we can’t play in Ukraine.”
“The alternative is to go to Turkey, which is far away, but I think the accommodation we have, the training ground we have, is a good solution.”
“It is a realisation moment that last week one of our team members had a conversation with one of their team members about this camp and i
“In Kyiv they are in fear because there is so much violence there. That is heartbreaking.”
Managing the Longer International Window
FIFA allows teams to play three matches during this window, but Wiegman explained why England opted for just the two qualifiers:
“My opinion, the FA opinion, is that, at this moment, we think it’s best to play two [matches], because with the congested agenda and the amount of games, the players play so much, so we didn’t want to use the third one.”
“In an ideal world, we would have wanted to play the first game a little bit earlier. It would have been best to play [the first qualifier] at the weekend, to have a little bit more time in between [the qualifiers], but we couldn’t control that.”
She also welcomed the extra time this schedule provides for training and preparation:
“Sometimes it might look to you that we have time to train, but we hardly have time to train when players come in from the weekend.”
“There is some recovery and a tactical training session, but then you go and get ready for the game itself. Now we have a little more time, which is nice. I think we are in a good place.”
Squad Fitness and Injuries
Wiegman gave updates on returning players and squad management:
“It’s really nice to have Leah back. She’s still building but she’s in a very good place. I’ve been in contact with her and with her club. It’s good that she’s in our camp, training and playing, and also with other players who have been injured.”
“We’re missing some, but it gives opportunities for others. There are players we definitely need to manage ahead of this camp. We go with 25 players, so we have some room to change and figure things out.”
She also emphasised the depth of the squad despite injuries:
“You know, you have seen in all of the camps we have had, players have lots of games, very high level, and there are always a couple of players who are injured who we can’t bring in.”
“That’s part of our football life too. You just have to move on, and hopefully the players get fit soon, and we have more options. The more options, the better it is for us and the harder to make the right decisions.”
“It’s part of life now, and hopefully, for the players, they get fit quickly. There is a little bit of a puzzle at the moment, but at the same time, I think we have enough players in the squad to play good games and to have players on the pitch who are fit and can perform at the highest level.”
Goalkeeper Updates
Wiegman explained the reasoning behind her goalkeeper selections:
“Keating will be with the under-23s. We all know she is a very talented goalkeeper. I had big concerns about her playing minutes over this last season. It’s a long period of time. There is also competition with the other goalkeepers.”
“[Roebuck] came in the last camp, of course, because we had some injuries. She has got some minutes [with Villa], so it’s really good to see her back, see her happy and being available. She is playing and training fully.”
New Call-Ups and Emerging Talent
Poppy Pattinson received her first senior call-up, and Wiegman highlighted her attacking instincts:
“I think she had some good performances, a left-back who is very proactive across the whole wing, takes a lot of initiative and in possession she really wants to play forward. I liked her performances. She was really excited by the call-up.”
“We have just one goal: to perform at our highest level. Make the chance of winning as high as possible. Yes, dynamics change a little, but we know where we want to go toand that brings them together already.”
Leah Williamson and Experienced Players
Captain Leah Williamson has returned from a knee injury:
“I am very happy. It feels very good for her too; she wanted to be back. She is in a good place, but she does have a lack of minutes.”
“I think there are some more players who are still building or didn’t get the minutes we hoped for. That is also the reason why we have gone with a bigger squad. We do have some time to come together before we get ready for the Ukraine game.”
“Every player who comes into our environment is very talented, but then it is, how do we bring everyone together? How do we do that, and how does everyone else take responsibility to do so?”
Looking Ahead
With returning internationals, emerging talent, and careful management of fitness, Wiegman is optimistic:
“We have enough players in the squad to play good games and to have players on the pitch who are fit and can perform at the highest level. The message is clear: we want to qualify as soon as possible. I’m excited to see that.”
England now focus on their opening qualifier in Turkey against Ukraine, ready to begin their journey toward Brazil 2027 with determination, squad depth, and focus firmly in place.
