Published 03 November 2026 4 min read
Women's Senior
Wiegman reacts to Nations League draw
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Head coach looks ahead to group games against France, Austria and Portugal
Sarina Wiegman is excited about the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League, following the draw on Tuesday.
England will play France, Austria and Portugal in their League A group, which kicks-off in early 2027 with the prospect of reaching the semi-finals and final later in the year.
And the head coach, who signed a new contract until 2029 last month, is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with the three nations who have all provided the Lionesses with testing games in recent years.
“Of course, it’s a challenging and exciting draw again,” said Wiegman.
“We played France a couple of years ago and of course, it was our first game in the EUROs. We know that they’re a very strong squad but it’s really good to play them again.
“They’re a world-class team. They have so much quality, they have power, they have technique and they have some players, of course, also playing in the WSL and at other top clubs.
England will play France, Austria and Portugal in their League A group, which kicks-off in early 2027 with the prospect of reaching the semi-finals and final later in the year.
And the head coach, who signed a new contract until 2029 last month, is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with the three nations who have all provided the Lionesses with testing games in recent years.
“Of course, it’s a challenging and exciting draw again,” said Wiegman.
“We played France a couple of years ago and of course, it was our first game in the EUROs. We know that they’re a very strong squad but it’s really good to play them again.
“They’re a world-class team. They have so much quality, they have power, they have technique and they have some players, of course, also playing in the WSL and at other top clubs.
“So it's exciting to play them because you will be challenged in the highest possible way and that's what makes us better.
“We played Portugal before the last EUROs, when we tied with them away and at home we beat them.
“I think they're a very dangerous team who play lots of football, but also they're tough to beat so we need to be at our best.
“They're a team who can change their style from playing a possession game to being a little more direct, and they have some players that bring lots of quality on the pitch, but are also powerful in duels.
“That's a big challenge and it’s really good for us to have a team in front of us that can change and tweak their style of play, which then challenges us to make the right decisions on the pitch.
“And I think it's really nice to play Austria again. We haven't played them since the beginning of 2024. Of course, we played them in the opening game at EURO 22 and then we faced them straight afterwards in the World Cup qualification and they were two really tough games that tested us.
“At that time they were in a very, very good place and now they're finding the top level again and will definitely be difficult opponents across in both fixtures.
“Of course, when you're in the Nations League, you meet the same teams a lot and we know it's always challenging and every team is developing, so you're getting better and better opponents and it's exciting.”
Before attention turns fully to the new Nations League, Wiegman and her team remain focused on their forthcoming World Cup qualifying play-off with Ukraine, with a two-legged tie in December on the horizon and the prize of a place in Brazil next summer at stake.
“We played Portugal before the last EUROs, when we tied with them away and at home we beat them.
“I think they're a very dangerous team who play lots of football, but also they're tough to beat so we need to be at our best.
“They're a team who can change their style from playing a possession game to being a little more direct, and they have some players that bring lots of quality on the pitch, but are also powerful in duels.
“That's a big challenge and it’s really good for us to have a team in front of us that can change and tweak their style of play, which then challenges us to make the right decisions on the pitch.
“And I think it's really nice to play Austria again. We haven't played them since the beginning of 2024. Of course, we played them in the opening game at EURO 22 and then we faced them straight afterwards in the World Cup qualification and they were two really tough games that tested us.
“At that time they were in a very, very good place and now they're finding the top level again and will definitely be difficult opponents across in both fixtures.
“Of course, when you're in the Nations League, you meet the same teams a lot and we know it's always challenging and every team is developing, so you're getting better and better opponents and it's exciting.”
Before attention turns fully to the new Nations League, Wiegman and her team remain focused on their forthcoming World Cup qualifying play-off with Ukraine, with a two-legged tie in December on the horizon and the prize of a place in Brazil next summer at stake.
“Of course, we want to qualify [for the World Cup] first when we play Ukraine in December,” added Wiegman.
“And if we perform at our levels, then we should qualify, but we never take anything for granted, of course.
“Then you go into these Nations League games, which are going to be very challenging and that's what you want in preparation for a World Cup.
“You are trying to develop your style of play and at the same time you still want to win every game.”
The Nations League also opens up the prospect of reaching the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as Team GB, which is something that Wiegman believes will be a special experience for all concerned.
Having previously led the Netherlands into the Tokyo Games in 2021, she admits that the opportunity for the home nations to come together as a team for what would be a third time is something to strive for.
“Of course, it's different,” she said.
“To go to the Olympics is a very special occasion and it becomes Great Britain, so it’s bigger than just England.
“I think everyone who is a footballer at the highest level wants to play major tournaments but this is a very different one which is really exciting if you can go there and play.
“And that tournament is a bit smaller because there's not as many teams as there are at the World Cup and it's a shorter amount of time.
“So there are different challenges but when you have an opportunity to go, then you try and take it. It would be really big to have that chance.”
“And if we perform at our levels, then we should qualify, but we never take anything for granted, of course.
“Then you go into these Nations League games, which are going to be very challenging and that's what you want in preparation for a World Cup.
“You are trying to develop your style of play and at the same time you still want to win every game.”
The Nations League also opens up the prospect of reaching the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as Team GB, which is something that Wiegman believes will be a special experience for all concerned.
Having previously led the Netherlands into the Tokyo Games in 2021, she admits that the opportunity for the home nations to come together as a team for what would be a third time is something to strive for.
“Of course, it's different,” she said.
“To go to the Olympics is a very special occasion and it becomes Great Britain, so it’s bigger than just England.
“I think everyone who is a footballer at the highest level wants to play major tournaments but this is a very different one which is really exciting if you can go there and play.
“And that tournament is a bit smaller because there's not as many teams as there are at the World Cup and it's a shorter amount of time.
“So there are different challenges but when you have an opportunity to go, then you try and take it. It would be really big to have that chance.”
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