Wiegman targets dominance in England's World Cup qualifier against Greece

England head coach Sarina Wiegman has set a clear objective for the Lionesses’ upcoming match: total control of the game. Speaking ahead of the first leg of their round one play-off tie in FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 qualifying, she emphasized that winning and dominating are the primary goals when the two nations meet on Friday evening.

Tactical balance between speed and patience

The team is currently based in Crete, preparing for the fixture where they will face an opponent expected to defend resolutely. Wiegman noted that while the desire is to move the ball quickly and play dynamically, maintaining composure is equally critical. She explained that rapid movement forces opponents to cover more ground, creating spaces, but the squad must remain tight on possession and wait for the right moment to advance and score.

“It’s very important [to be patient],” Wiegman stated during the pre-match press conference. “We want to dominate the game, so yes, we have to move the ball very quickly. We want to play very dynamically, but we also have to be patient.”

Preparation for unknown opposition

This encounter marks the first time England has faced Greece, adding an element of uncertainty to the preparation. Despite this, Wiegman acknowledged the Greek side’s strong performance throughout their campaign. The focus remains on executing their own game plan effectively rather than solely reacting to the opponent’s style.

“Of course, that’s the main goal [to win] then we bring it back to what we have to do tomorrow,” she said. “We are fully-focused on how we want to play tomorrow, what to expect from Greece. We’ve never played them before, they’ve done well in their campaign too.”

Wiegman reiterated the ambition to impose their will on the match. “It’s about being game plan ready, being the best we can be and then we absolutely want to dominate the game and win.”

Match schedule details

The qualification tie is scheduled to kick off at 5.30pm on Friday evening. The Lionesses aim to secure a positive result in this first leg as they pursue their path toward the 2027 tournament in Brazil.