Wiegman Aims for World Cup Glory Following FWA Honour

Sarina Wiegman is setting her sights firmly on World Cup glory after being honoured at the Football Writers’ Association awards in London on January 7, 2024. The acclaimed manager of the Lionesses received an honorary damehood in the New Year Honours following her successful leadership in defending the European Championship title.

Wiegman, 56, expressed her resolve to build on the success of the previous year as she prepares for the 2027 World Cup. Despite the accolades that followed the Lionesses’ triumph last summer, her focus remains on the challenges that lie ahead. “That really drives me,” she said in an interview with the FWA. “You want to win games; that’s the job.”

Focus on Preparation and Team Cohesion

Wiegman emphasized that while winning is the ultimate goal, the path to victory is often unpredictable. “You can’t always control whether you’re going to win or not,” she noted. “What you can control is being at your best and being the best prepared and the best bonded team. That’s what we’re working on every single day.”

Reflecting on the competitive nature of international football, Wiegman acknowledged the thin margins between success and failure. “I never take for granted winning,” she remarked. “Even in the quarter-final, how close it is to win or lose. But where can you find that edge to just make it happen?” She added that achieving success requires not only skill but also a bit of luck, stating, “When you do it a lot of times, then it’s not just luck.”

Acknowledging Women’s Football Progress

Wiegman also took a moment to celebrate the progress of women’s football, noting that several members of the Lionesses squad received honours as well. “It’s all about the team, but also about women’s football,” she said. “There are so many people that have paved the way for us. I’m the lucky one that stepped in at the right moment.”

The Lionesses’ coach is keenly aware of the challenges ahead as they prepare to compete against some of the strongest teams in the world. “So how big is the chance of making a final? It’s not that big, even when you’re one of the favourites,” she explained. “But I don’t care whether the chance is this big or this big. We’re going for that chance. What do we have to do to make that happen?”

Wiegman’s commitment to her team and the future of women’s football is unwavering. As she works towards the next World Cup, her focus on preparation, team bonding, and connection will be critical in the quest for international success.