Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

England boss Sarina Wiegman against proposals to host World Cups every two years

sportsmole.co.uk, 9 September 2021, 16:56
England boss Sarina Wiegman is against proposals to host World Cups every two years as she vowed to take the Lionesses to the next level.

Wiegman was appointed as England manager last year but only named her first squad last week as she prepares for World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Luxembourg.

If she can guide them to the tournament it will take place in Australia and New Zealand in the summer of 2023.

The format of the competition could soon change, however, as FIFA is holding a feasibility study into shortening the gap between men's and women's World Cups from four to two years.

Wiegman joined the England set-up following a successful stint as Holland boss which saw her land the 2017 Women's Euros and finish runners-up in the 2019 World Cup.

The 51-year-old singled out the welfare of the players as the main reason she would be against FIFA's plans.

"I think in Europe we have a very good competition," she said.

"So the Euros are great, the World Cup is great, the Olympics are great so that is three tournaments. I think if you have a World Cup every two years that is too much for the players at the moment so I wouldn't be cheering for it right now.

"It is too many tournaments, for Europe it is good (at the moment), the development in Europe for women's football is ahead of most other continents.

"So for Europe it is not necessary, it is about visibility but I also think we need to take care of the well-being of the players and sometimes they need a rest.

"Of course because of Covid we have five tournaments in a row, which is enough. At big tournaments you want the best players on the pitch.

"If you look now at the competitions in England there are so many games, Champions League, international players and you play for your club team - you play so many games because you are one of the best, you are a game-changer so when can you have a rest, we should take care of the welfare of the players.

"You don't want two tournaments (men and women's) at the same time because people are going to have to choose."

While Wiegman was winning the 2017 Euros as Holland boss, England made it to the semi-finals, having lost the final to Germany eight years earlier.

Wiegman's test now is to take England a step further and she believes she is the right woman to move them there.

"It's the hardest step, but we're very ambitious too and, in this environment, you want challenges," she added.

"Of course I've come here to come to the next level. I'm really enjoying that, it's really challenging. First of all, with the staff, we will have to facilitate [things] so the players can shine.

"What triggered me the most was being able to work with some of the best in the world. With one of the biggest federations in the world. With the growth of the game."

Top News

23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona striker and Poland captain Robert Lewandowski was only subbed on in the 60th minute against Austria on Friday after struggling with a thigh injury sustained during a pre-tournament friendly against Turkey. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Star forward and captain Kylian Mbappe was sorely missed by France on Friday when they played out Euro 2024's first goalless draw against the Netherlands, but he is likely to come back into the starting lineup against Poland on Tuesday. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in Goncalo Inacio and Morten Hjulmand, with the Red Devils determined to sign the Sporting Lisbon duo this summer. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United would reportedly be willing to sell Marcus Rashford during this summer's transfer window in order to make space for a box-official arrival at Old Trafford. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two-time Euros winners France are set to face already-eliminated Poland at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion in each side's final group stage game at Euro 2024 on Tuesday. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina can punch their ticket into the knockout stage of the 2024 Copa America when they head to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to face Chile on Tuesday. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has reportedly expressed a desire to leave this summer. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina's captain Lionel Messi set another record in his illustrious career on Thursday, appearing in his 35th Copa America fixture, surpassing the late Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone for the most all-time caps at this tournament. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Miami owner David Beckham is reportedly interested in signing Raphael Varane this summer. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal has admitted it is "gratifying" to be linked with a move to Italian giants AC Milan. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly approached Ruud van Nistelrooy about a possible return to Old Trafford as part of Erik ten Hag's coaching set-up next season. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The family of Liverpool and Scotland legend Alan Hansen have confirmed that the 69-year-old has been discharged from hospital following an illness. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly made contact with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot over a potential summer move. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton is the subject of interest from RB Leipzig and a handful of other top European clubs, according to a report. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur's attempts to offload one of their unwanted defenders has reportedly suffered a setback, as Genoa have ended their interest in a permanent deal for Djed Spence. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly sent scouts to watch Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand at Euro 2024. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leny Yoro is regarded as one of the most outstanding young talents in modern football. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma are looking to add to their squad with Watford midfielder Ismael Kone, according to journalist Matteo Moretto. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will be active during this summer's transfer window, with the club looking to put together a squad capable of challenging for major trophies once again. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Palmeiras youngster Estevao Willian. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella has taken the positives from his side's 3-0 defeat to Portugal at Euro 2024 on Saturday night. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Knowing only a win will guarantee progress to the knockout phase of Euro 2024, Austria must make some tough selection calls ahead of Tuesday's final Group D fixture. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez called Pepe "an example" when discussing the centre-back's impressive performance against Turkey on Saturday night. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Former West Ham United manager David Moyes has said that Scotland need to "get Scott McTominay in the Hungary box" if they are to stand a chance of triumphing in Sunday night's Euro 2024 fixture. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Playing their final Group F fixture on Tuesday evening, the Netherlands are within a point of guaranteeing progress to Euro 2024's knockout stages. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic is facing some critical selection dilemmas up front for Tuesday's Euro 2024 Group C finale against Denmark at the Allianz Arena. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand is expecting to have all 26 players at his disposal for Tuesday's Euro 2024 Group C finale against Serbia at the Allianz Arena. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have completed their first signing of the summer by acquiring the services of Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Stamenic. 23 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Requiring just one point to ensure a place in the knockout phase of Euro 2024, the Netherlands meet Austria for their final Group D fixture on Tuesday.