Sarina Wiegman’s remarkable run with England is set to continue after the FA confirmed she has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep her in charge until the end of Euro 2029. It is a major statement of intent from both the coach and the governing body, arriving just as the Lionesses push on from another trophy-winning summer.
Wiegman’s winning era rolls on
The 56-year-old Dutch manager was originally due to be out of contract after next summer’s World Cup, but the extension removes any doubt over England’s future direction. Instead of a looming succession debate, the Lionesses can now move forward with one of the game’s most decorated coaches firmly in place.
Wiegman has already delivered a trophy-laden spell since replacing Phil Neville in September 2021. She guided England to their first major title at Euro 2022, beating Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley, and then led them to the World Cup final in Australia in 2023.
Another European crown, another milestone
Her latest triumph came at Euro 2025, where England defeated Spain in the final to claim a second straight European Championship title. That victory also made the Lionesses the first England team, women’s or men’s, to win a major trophy on foreign soil.
“I am so happy to be able to carry on with this squad and cannot think of a better job in football,” Wiegman said. “Working for a world-class organisation like The FA, and alongside so many people dedicated to winning England teams and the growth of our game, excites me every day.”
The timing of the deal matters as much as the length. England have already taken a big step toward the next World Cup, thrashing Greece 8-1 on aggregate to reach the second round of the play-offs, where they will face Ukraine. If they win that two-legged tie, they will qualify for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
Focus shifts to Brazil qualification
Wiegman made clear that the immediate priority remains the road to the World Cup. The contract may stretch to 2029, but the next objective is much closer: securing England’s place at the 2027 tournament and maintaining momentum after a dominant European campaign.
“My main concern right now is absolutely the World Cup, and helping this squad realise their potential in the years to come,” she said. “We have an important job to do to confirm our place in Brazil, and hopefully we can do that and give the country another special summer to remember next year.”
That focus has been central to her success. Since taking charge, Wiegman has led England to five consecutive major international finals across two national teams, a record that underlines her consistency at the highest level. She has also become only the second manager, after Germany’s Christina Theune, to win three successive European Championships.
The FA backs a proven winner
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham described Wiegman as an “incredible coach with an unparalleled record in major tournaments” and said there is “no one better” to lead the Lionesses into the next two tournaments. His comments reflect the scale of trust the FA has placed in a coach whose influence reaches well beyond results.
Wiegman’s impact has helped define an era in English women’s football. The team has developed a reputation for control, resilience and tournament edge, while the wider game continues to grow in profile and expectation. Her continuity offers stability at a time when the stakes are rising.
A manager chasing even more history
For all she has already achieved, one major prize still eludes Wiegman: the World Cup. That pursuit now shapes the rest of her England journey, with Euro 2029 providing a clear long-term horizon and Brazil serving as the next checkpoint.
There was a strong sense that this announcement could have come after next year’s World Cup. Instead, England have secured their manager now, avoiding distraction and reinforcing the belief that the most successful chapter of the Lionesses’ story may still have more to come.
“There is no one better to lead the Lionesses into the next two tournaments,” Bullingham said. If the results continue to match the reputation, the Wiegman era could yet become one of the defining coaching spells in international football.
