International football returns with the April International break. The next fortnight sees the start of Euro 2025 Qualification, CAF Olympic Qualification, U19 Euro Qualification, the return of the SheBelieves Cup and a whole host of friendlies.
It was an emphatic start to 2024 for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses as they swept Austria aside in Algeciras. Braces from Alessia Russo and Beth Mead and goals from Grace Clinton, Jess Carter and Rachel Daly saw them earn a 7-2 victory.
England’s U23s suffered their first loss since October 2022, falling too a 3-1 defeat to Spain. Aggie Beever-Jones gave the Young Lionesses the lead but Spain hit back through Olhane Valdezate and a Bruna Vilamala brace.
The news that every England fan was waiting for came on Tuesday when it was announced that Sarina Wiegman had signed a much anticipated contract extension. It is a deal that will see her remain as Head Coach of the Lionesses through to the end of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, including next year’s European Championships and the following Nations League campaign. Her assistant Arjan Veurink has also extended his stay.
International football returns with the December International break. The next fortnight sees the continuation of the Nations League, WAFCON + CONCACAF W Gold Cup Qualification, and a series of friendlies.
“I didn’t want a biography…I said it shouldn’t be about me. But when you write a book then it is about me. I wanted it to be about the development of the game, about women and inspiring.”
Anyone who has spent time listening to or interviewing Sarina Wiegman will know that this response encapsulates the England manager. Wiegman is someone who always places the team above the individual, often looking slightly surprised by questions about her own successes.
International football returns with the October International break. The next fortnight sees the continuation of the nations Nations League, CAF + OFC Olympic Qualification, qualifiying for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup plus U19 Euro Round 1 Qualification amongst others. There are also a series of friendlies.
Just over a month on from the World Cup Final in Sydney, England earned an edgy 2-1 victory over against a reinvigorated Scotland. In a game littered with controversy, goals from Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp were enough to see the Lionesses through, despite Kirsty Hanson narrowing the deficit just before the break.
England return home this week just over a month after the highs and lows of the World Cup. Such is the nature of football that no sooner have you completed one tournament then new challenges await. This time, it’s in the form of the Nations League with a derby against Scotland on Friday providing ample opportunity to brush away the cobwebs and the pain of that Final in Sydney.
A busy international period awaits for the Home Nations and Republic of Ireland. The senior teams all get their Nations League campaigns underway. Meanwhile, there are a series of friendlies taking place across the youth levels.