Wiegman issues caution as Lionesses face Iceland and Spain | OneFootball

Sarina Wiegman has warned England Women that Tuesday’s win over Spain will only carry real weight if the Lionesses follow it up against Iceland Women in their next World Cup Qualifiers test. England are top of Group A3 with three wins from three, but with only the group winners going straight through to the 2027 tournament, there is little room for a loose result before the return meeting with Spain Women.

Sarina Wiegman: Tuesday must count

Speaking ahead of the Iceland game, Wiegman said: “It will be a different challenge but we need to make the win on Tuesday even more valuable by having a good result tomorrow. That’s absolutely what we want to go for, it’s different circumstances and with a different opponent, but we’re ready.”

That is a familiar Wiegman message, but an important one. England have been caught before in games where they were expected to control the tempo, and the manager’s caution reflects both the qualifying format and recent lessons from Nations League slips against Belgium and Portugal.

She added: “Of course in those Nations League campaigns we were really disappointed that we didn’t get the wins. We thought we could have done better and we could have got them across the line. So yes, we are absolutely aware this is again a new game, a new situation with Iceland in front of us here in Reykjavík, and we’re going to get ready in the best possible way and are going for a very good performance and a win.”

It points to an England side that will need patience as much as attacking quality. Against a disciplined block, the width and rotation provided by WSL regulars such as Lauren Hemp, Jess Park and Alessia Russo becomes especially important.

The rematch – what Spain represent for this group

The 1-0 win over Spain at Wembley, covered in She Kicks’ report on Hemp and Walsh after England beat Spain, shifted the group picture in England’s favour. It also carried obvious history, given the 2023 World Cup final and how often Spain remain the benchmark for control in midfield and pressure resistance in the final third.

That is why the return trip matters so much. Spain Women are still the side most likely to challenge the Lionesses for top spot, and in this section there is no safety net beyond finishing first.

According to The Guardian’s report from Reykjavík, two qualifiers remain after Iceland: Spain in Mallorca and Ukraine in early June. England’s win over Spain was a strong step, but not a decisive one unless they keep the points moving before that rematch.

Iceland first – the qualifying discipline required

Iceland Women are the less glamorous fixture in this international window, but not an easy one. Wiegman knows that these are the matches that can drag a campaign off line if the tempo drops or the final pass is rushed, which is why her messaging has stayed firmly on the immediate task rather than looking ahead.

She Kicks has already covered Wiegman’s earlier view of the Iceland challenge and Lucy Bronze’s take on the tie, and the theme is consistent: England must manage the game properly. Iceland are organised, physical and willing to defend deep before breaking quickly into the channels.

There was also a squad update, with Keira Barry the only absentee because of ankle trouble, while Leah Williamson was declared fit enough to train. That matters for England’s control without the ball, especially with a quick turnaround and another major test against Spain Women still to come.

Where England stand in the group

England Women sit top of Group A3 on nine points from three matches, ahead of Spain, with Iceland and Ukraine also in the section. Only the team that finishes first qualifies automatically for Brazil 2027, while everyone else is left dealing with the playoff route.

That is the broader significance of this window, and also why the wider build-up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup already feels close. England have put themselves in a strong position, but the table still demands precision rather than comfort.

Saturday’s match against Iceland is also the 500th in Lionesses history, with Lucy Bronze calling the milestone “crazy” and “really special” in camp. England then travel to face Spain Women in Mallorca before concluding this spell of World Cup Qualifiers against Ukraine in early June, and those fixtures should tell us clearly whether Wiegman’s side can keep automatic qualification in their own hands.