England women's team manager Sarina Wiegman has confirmed the squad is in close contact with authorities regarding safety ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Turkey. The match, set for Tuesday in Antalya, is being played on neutral ground due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Wiegman stated the team has received reassurances about their safety, but remains vigilant amid the developing conflict in the Middle East. The UK Foreign Office advises against travel within 10km of Turkey's border with Syria, which does not include Antalya, but urges vigilance elsewhere.
“If our government thinks it’s not safe, then we’ll go back; at this moment we don’t have signals of that,” Wiegman said on Monday. “We did have reassurances. We are in close contact with our government, but also with the responsible people here.”
The uncertainty was highlighted by a subdued media session, with only Sky Sports News attending in person after other UK outlets cancelled over safety concerns. The match is the first of six qualifiers for England in a group also featuring Spain and Iceland.
Midfielder Georgia Stanway, who is set to leave Bayern Munich at season's end, said she is “very close” to deciding her next club, with Arsenal reportedly favourites. Both Stanway and Wiegman also expressed joy at news that England's Missy Bo Kearns is expecting her first child.
