‘There’s pressure but that’s part of our game now’: England manager Sarina Wiegman warns her Lionesses team that ‘everyone expects them to do well’ after their Euro success and that they need to move on to ‘ next level’
- Sarina Wiegman wants England to go to the next level for the 2023 World Cup
- The boss is preparing her team for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand
- England face Denmark, China and Chile, Senegal or Haiti in their group
England boss Sarina Wiegman has said they will have to take their game to the ‘next level’ to triumph at the 2023 World Cup after the Lionesses had a difficult elimination route.
Wiegman’s team was drawn into Group D alongside Denmark, China and Chile, Senegal or Haiti – who will play in the inter-federation play-off in February.
While the European champions are favorites to top their group, they face a potential round of 16 match with co-hosts Australia, a quarter-final with Germany and a semi-final with France or Brazil. They, however, would not face the United States until the final.
Sarina Wiegman wants her team to go to the ‘next level’ before the World Cup next year
“We want to take our game to the next level, this is also necessary if you want to maintain success because the game develops very quickly,” said Wiegman.
‘There will be so many good countries and so many favorite teams for this tournament. We have a lot of confidence and trust in our team. Yes, there is pressure, but that’s part of our game now and it was also part of the Euro, because everyone expected us to do well.
‘We just hug her and bring her back to what we have to do as much as possible.’
Wiegman is worried the speed at which the game develops could take England out
England will have a favorable travel schedule. The three group stage games will be played in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, avoiding a longer trip to Perth. If the Lionesses led their group, they would stay in Sydney for the rest of the tournament.
“We’re going to travel early, adjust, get rid of jet lag, get into training and then into the tournament,” said Wiegman.
‘We will be ready. The places we play are OK. It’s not that cold, the amount of travel is good too, not a lot. So the logistics don’t look too bad for us.’
Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland had a tough draw alongside Australia, Canada and Nigeria.
The England manager is happy with the logistics of the World Cup squad’s calendar
