England's Historic 500th Match: Wiegman Prepares for Iceland Challenge
Sarina Wiegman emphasized the importance of securing a positive result against Iceland in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier. This match marks England’s landmark 500th game, and Wiegman aims to make the recent 1-0 victory over Spain even more significant. With three wins from three in their qualifying group, England currently sits in a strong position. The European champions need to maintain their momentum, as only the top team from each group in League A qualifies automatically for the World Cup, avoiding the playoffs. As they prepare for the match at Laugardalsvöllur Stadium, Wiegman acknowledged the challenge ahead: "It will be a different challenge, but we need to make the win on Tuesday even more valuable by having a good result tomorrow." Despite Iceland being considered England's easiest opponent this window, Wiegman recalled past disappointments against teams of similar caliber, stressing the necessity of learning from those experiences. Keira Barry is the only player absent due to ankle issues, while Leah Williamson has recovered from a thigh injury and will participate in training. Wiegman will finalize her squad decisions post-training. Training took place in Reykjavik, with Lucy Bronze reflecting on the significance of the milestone. She remarked, "It’s amazing to be a part of the history of the Lionesses," highlighting the pride and legacy associated with the England jersey. Bronze also expressed optimism about England’s future, praising the talent of young players like Lucia Kendall and the promising prospects within the under-23s. She believes the future looks bright for the Lionesses, with an exciting generation of players emerging.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-17