Sarina Wiegman Eager for Wembley Clash with Spain in World Cup Qualifier
England manager Sarina Wiegman is relishing another major occasion at Wembley Stadium as her team prepares to face world champions Spain in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. This match marks the first meeting between the two sides since England's dramatic penalty shootout victory in the European Championship final last summer, setting the stage for a highly competitive encounter.
High Stakes in Group A3
Both England and Spain have made perfect starts to their World Cup qualification campaigns, securing victories against Iceland and Ukraine in their opening two matches. A win for either team in this fixture would place them in a commanding position to secure the sole automatic qualification spot from Group A3 for next year's global tournament in Brazil. With approximately 75,000 tickets sold, the atmosphere at Wembley is expected to be electric, adding to the significance of the occasion.
Speaking at a press conference held at St George's Park, Wiegman expressed her excitement about the upcoming match. "These are the very competitive games," she stated. "We are in the World Cup qualifiers, so there's more than this game. You want to qualify for the World Cup, but when you're allowed to play at Wembley again and you play Spain at home with the fans behind us, it is just really exciting."
She emphasised the competitive nature of the fixture, noting the frequent meetings between the teams in recent years. "It just feels like a very competitive game, and we have played so many games over the last couple of years against each other. We both, as well as the other teams in our group, want to qualify, and as quick as possible would be nice too."
Keira Walsh Set for Milestone Cap
Midfielder Keira Walsh is poised to earn her 100th cap for England if selected to play on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has been instrumental in the Lionesses' recent successes, contributing to their European Championship triumphs in 2022 and 2025, as well as their run to the 2023 World Cup final, where they were defeated by Spain.
Reflecting on this milestone, Walsh shared her thoughts ahead of the match. "It's a very exciting moment. When I started playing football, I never thought that this was going to be possible, so it's a really proud moment for me and my family," she said.
Despite the personal achievement, Walsh remains focused on the team's objectives. "It's a massive game, my full focus has been on that for the week. I've not really thought too much about anything else, but I'm sure after the game, then I'll probably have some moments to reflect."
She added, "I don't really love the attention being on me. I do feel a little bit awkward about it. I just love playing football, so for me if it's one or 100 caps, I still feel the same whenever I put the shirt on." Walsh also highlighted the growth of women's football, noting the contrast between her first cap and the upcoming match. "I remember my first cap, there was not a lot of people in the crowd, and tomorrow there's going to be 75,000 people at Wembley playing against one of the best teams in the world. I think that shows the growth of the women's game."
Fitness Concerns Over Leah Williamson
Questions persist regarding the fitness of captain Leah Williamson ahead of this critical encounter. Williamson has been sidelined since mid-March due to a hamstring injury, and Wiegman provided limited details about her availability for Tuesday's match.
"She's moving forward – I don't think she does need to prove that much," Wiegman commented. "We have to be really, really careful with her, she's careful and with her club we are careful. We made a plan, and I don't want to give anything more away about that; she's moving forward well."
This cautious approach underscores the importance of managing Williamson's recovery effectively, given her pivotal role in the team's defence and leadership. As England and Spain prepare to battle it out at Wembley, all eyes will be on this high-profile qualifier, with significant implications for World Cup qualification and the continued rise of women's football.
