After naming her World Cup squad, Sarina Wiegman is embroiled in a club versus country conflict, with the England manager fearing that her plans to bring the players together in less than three weeks may be thwarted.
Wiegman desires to commence preparations on 19 June and informed clubs of this in November. The European Club Association is reportedly united behind an agreement it reached with FIFA this month for a June 23-29 release window. The Football Association is attempting to reach an agreement with clubs.
Wiegman disclosed England’s November call-up date was determined using rest, recovery, and preparation expertise and experience. She stated that the plan had been approved by the captains’ group, the entire squad, and the organizations.
Wiegman stated, “It’s frustrating because we had all our plans in place and believed we were prepared.”
“And then, as of a month ago, everything changes abruptly. We did not anticipate this — it is so late. I do comprehend; the topic is the calendar. It’s very difficult.”
She characterized discussions as “very constructive” but “not finalized” and emphasized that any delay to her proposed start date would be significant because England must compete at their “highest levels” at the tournament. The World Cup commences on 20 July, with England’s opening match against Haiti occurring two days later.
Only Barcelona’s Lucy Bronze and Brighton’s Katie Robinson play for non-ECA member clubs in England’s 23-player squad. German manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg stated that Bayern Munich, where England’s Georgia Stanway plays, would not discharge any players before June 23.
After raising concerns that players were being called up too early and placed at risk, the ECA reached a deal. It was generally agreed that the Fifa publication deadline of 10 July was too late. Especially for a tournament in Australia or New Zealand. “I still hold out hope that we can negotiate,” Wiegman stated. At this juncture, it is difficult, but we are attempting.
The World Cup final is on August 20, and the WSL will resume play on September 29. Arsenal has a Champions League qualifier on September 6 and an international window from September 18–26 before that.
“After a tournament, it can be difficult to rest because competitive games resume,” Wiegman said. Therefore, we must collaborate and communicate with one another to find a solution.
She believes that more than two weeks of leisure before the World Cup would not constitute “good preparation,” and England players are scheduled to begin individual training programs on June 12. Wiegman wants the team to prepare at St. George’s Park on June 19 and leave for Australia on July 5.
She said, “We’re going to the opposite side of the world, which also takes a few days.” “Travel takes two days; you cannot immediately begin training because you must first overcome jet lag. Therefore, we need that time to prepare. I only hope that we continue to have productive conversations and find a solution.”
Fearing a blackout, the British government has joined France, Germany, Italy, and Spain in urging Fifa to reach an agreement with their broadcasters regarding World Cup coverage. Fifa stated at the beginning of May that broadcasters must improve “unacceptable” proposals for the rights or accept that the tournament will not be broadcast on television in those countries.
