Wiegman must fix defence but has attacking talent to win elusive World Cup

Times

29-07-2025

England are so lucky to have Sarina Wiegman. She has transformed women's football in our country, brought people together and is an inspiration. Winning three Euros in a row — the first of which came with the Netherlands before her two titles with England — is a ridiculous streak.
Wiegman is too good a head coach to stand still. The Dutchwoman has two years remaining on her contract and will have her sights set on football's ultimate prize: the World Cup in 2027 in Brazil.
This title is the missing piece for Wiegman and England. Neither has won the World Cup, with Wiegman losing the final in 2019 as the Netherlands head coach before her England side were runners-up in 2023 to Spain.
I hope the Lionesses are focused only on enjoying their Euro 2025 triumph at the moment. Whenever the party finishes, they should assess their road to the World Cup and realise that they are in a good position, but not a perfect one.
Their attacking depth is superb. Alessia Russo, 26, and Michelle Agyemang, 19, showed their abilities with crucial goals during the Euros knockout stage, and the formula of Russo starting before Agyemang wreaks havoc off the bench worked well at the Euros. However, England also have Aggie Beever-Jones, who has worked so hard to get minutes in Chelsea's dominant side. Beever-Jones, 22, is a dynamic, versatile forward and scored at the Euros herself.
In the wide forward positions, England have the likes of Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Lauren James and Beth Mead. Mead will be 32 by the next World Cup and can still make an impact at that age, while the other three should be somewhere close to their prime.
England have problems to address elsewhere. I would love Lucy Bronze to continue for ever but she is 33 and, even though she played the entire Euros with a broken tibia and may well have another tournament or two in her, there has to be some succession planning at right back. Wiegman must work out whether Maya Le Tissier or Naomi Layzell, two young players who are usually centre backs for their clubs, can deputise for Bronze.
Elsewhere, England desperately need to find a natural, left-footed left back after looking vulnerable in this position throughout the Euros. They could do with the new generation of midfielders coming through as well.
However, these are not huge concerns. The FA and Wiegman have developed the production line well, and the player pool will get wider year on year. In a player like Agyemang, who thrived at the Euros, youngsters now have a clear example of what is possible through the pathway. The work at age-group level is bulletproofing England's senior team for the future, and we are set for a very happy decade at least.
England were at 10 Downing Street on Monday evening. Players from left: Ella Toone, Russo, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, Wiegman, Beever-Jones, Khiara Keating, Georgia Stanway, Lauren James, Keira Walsh, Agyemang, Williamson, Hannah Hampton, Bronze, Anna Moorhouse and Esme Morgan
ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK
The squad will not be overhauled in the next two years, so England must do more than blood young players to stay on top. It is really hard to have the same desire to win once you have tasted success, meaning England must consciously maintain their motivation. Opponents always relish beating England, and their Euros double will only make the target on their backs bigger.
Between now and the World Cup, fans may have to tolerate the odd poor result as Wiegman experiments with her line-up. It would be worth giving opportunities to players such as Beever-Jones, Grace Clinton and Jess Park even if it reduces England's chances of winning in the short term.
Wiegman will need to evolve, because her long-time assistant, Arjan Veurink, is leaving to take charge of the Netherlands. This departure is a significant blow.
Yet with Wiegman in charge, England will keep improving. She is the best head coach around and her Euros record proves that she can win with different squads.
Once we get to the World Cup, the volatility and pressure of a major tournament have to be navigated. Can there be any doubt that England will rise to this challenge after their performances in Switzerland?
There were so many brilliant individual displays in the final against Spain. Hannah Hampton was a huge presence in the penalty shoot-out and I liked how she put her research on her left sleeve, rather than a water bottle, which meant nobody could tamper with her notes. Hampton has vindicated Wiegman's decision to make her the No 1 ahead of Mary Earps.
Kelly has an aura as well, while Russo epitomised resilience and deserved her goal. Hemp and Keira Walsh covered so much space and kept their composure when fatigued.
In defence, Bronze was heroic, and I loved Jess Carter's celebration after thwarting Aitana Bonmatí at the end of extra time. This reaction set the tone for the penalties.
In the shoot-out, I was delighted to see Alex Greenwood score. I know how much having a penalty saved in the quarter-final hurt her and this moment of personal redemption would have meant everything.
Wiegman got her tactics right once again. Bringing on Agyemang at the same time as Claudia Pina, who had tormented England off the bench in the Nations League last month, stopped the momentum shifting Spain's way. Wiegman has also made England obsessed with defending, and this mentality helped them to deal with Spain's barrage of wide attacks.
It was a terrific performance from a fantastic team. Wiegman and England have work to do, but they have the personnel, resources and proven pedigree to capture that elusive World Cup in 2027.