Sarina Wiegman is eagerly anticipating leading England Women to Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium, describing Liverpool as a 'football city'. The Lionesses will become the first England team to play at the Premier League's newest venue when they host Ukraine in a European League A Group 3 qualifier.
However, the Dutch-born manager admits she will have one eye on events in Reykjavik, where Iceland face Spain simultaneously. After a 4-0 defeat to Spain in Majorca, England's automatic qualification hopes for next year's World Cup in Brazil are out of their hands. Both nations have 12 points from five games, but Spain's superior head-to-head record means England need a favour from Iceland.
Asked if she had sent a message to Iceland, Wiegman said: 'Yeah, yeah. Good luck! I always hope. Football is unpredictable. Of course, beforehand, everyone thinks Spain will win that game. But we have seen so many unexpected scorelines, of course I'm hoping for that.'
She added: 'We have someone there, so we know. But we're not planning on sharing that with the players. We know what to do and we have to win this game and that's what we're going after. For us (the coaching staff), we want to be updated live with what's going on there. But we won't be focusing on that.'
Wiegman is thrilled to bring her side to Everton's stunning 52,769-capacity waterfront stadium, after playing home matches at various venues this season. She said: 'I'm really looking forward to it. Going around the country is really nice, but playing in this new stadium, in Liverpool, which is a big city, a football city, yeah, I feel excited. I'm grateful that we can play here.'
Fans attending the fixture can give the Lionesses a raucous welcome by gathering at the Western Wharf, where a stepped terrace provides the perfect platform to welcome both team coaches. The Ukraine team coach is expected around 6.20pm, followed by Wiegman and the England players at approximately 6.30pm.
Before the team arrivals, Lionesses legend and former Everton star Jill Scott will cycle onto the Western Wharf at 6.10pm, completing the second day of her extraordinary charity challenge for Comic Relief. She is cycling 99 miles from Aston Villa to Hill Dickinson Stadium as part of a five-day duathlon from Wembley Stadium to Sunderland.
Capacity on the Western Terrace is limited and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to bring flags and banners but reminded that pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited.
Tickets for the fixture are still available, and Everton has produced a special event guide for supporters, including travel advice, food and drink options, and accessibility information.
