Sarina Wiegman is relishing England’s “challenging” and exciting” 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League group.
England have been drawn into League A2 alongside France, Austria and Portugal, with only the group winner advancing to the knockout stages and will also qualify for 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles from 10-29 July 2028.
“Of course, it’s a challenging and exciting draw again,” commented the Lionesses Head Coach – Wiegman after the draw as she relishes the chance to play France in this phase of the tournament
“We played France a couple of years ago and of course, it was our first game in the EUROs. We know that they’re a very strong squad but it’s really good to play them again.
“They’re a world-class team. They have so much quality, they have power, they have technique and they have some players, of course, also playing in the WSL and at other top clubs.”
“So it’s exciting to play them because you will be challenged in the highest possible way and that’s what makes us better.”
England will also meet Portugal again after the pair met in this competition in the last edition in 2025 which saw them draw 1-1 away in Portimão, before the Lionesses won 6-0 at home in London in their home leg and Wiegman is refusing to underestimate them.
“We played Portugal before the last EUROs, when we tied with them away and at home we beat them.
“I think they’re a very dangerous team who play lots of football, but also they’re tough to beat so we need to be at our best.
“They’re a team who can change their style from playing a possession game to being a little more direct, and they have some players that bring lots of quality on the pitch, but are also powerful in duels.
“That’s a big challenge and it’s really good for us to have a team in front of us that can change and tweak their style of play, which then challenges us to make the right decisions on the pitch.”
Wiegman also is excited to face Austria for the first time since a 7-2 friendly win in February 2024, with England having won all four meetings against them under Wiegman’s tenure so far.
“And I think it’s really nice to play Austria again. We haven’t played them since the beginning of 2024. Of course, we played them in the opening game at EURO 22 and then we faced them straight afterwards in the World Cup qualification and they were two really tough games that tested us.
At that time they were in a very, very good place and now they’re finding the top level again and will definitely be difficult opponents across in both fixtures.”
Wiegman also acknowledged the potential repetitiveness of meeting the same teams in this competition as she spoke of the development evolution and better matches.
“Of course, when you’re in the Nations League, you meet the same teams a lot and we know it’s always challenging and every team is developing, so you’re getting better and better opponents and it’s exciting.”
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