Sarina Wiegman is ready to coach Great Britain at next summer’s Olympics in Paris if qualification is secured, the Football Association has announced.
Three European teams will take part in the women’s football tournament there: the host France and two teams that will secure qualification via the first Women’s Nations League, which is just beginning.
England has been nominated as the home country entitled to a place for Great Britain and therefore also as the employer and employing body for Team GB staff.
Wiegman, under whom England won Euro 2022 and finished runners-up at this year’s World Cup, said in an FA statement: “My full focus is on the Nations League campaign, but I would of course be very happy if that happens.” The next summer I was presented with the opportunity to lead Team GB. It would be an honor… The Olympic Games are a very special sporting event and one of the biggest stages of all for women’s football.”
England open their Nations League games in Group A1 with a game against Scotland in Sunderland on Friday and against the Netherlands in Utrecht four days later, with Belgium also in the group.
If France does not reach the final of the Nations League, the winners and runners-up will take the other two Olympic places; Should France reach the final, a place would go to the third-placed team.
after newsletter advertising
Baroness Sue Campbell will step down from her role as director of women’s football at the FA next year. The 74-year-old joined the governing body in 2016 and is credited with transforming women’s football in England at both elite and grassroots levels.
