Sarina Wiegman insists women’s football is ready to ‘go to the next level’ after the success of the 2023 World Cup… as the England coach congratulates Spain on their victory
Sarina Wiegman has called on authorities to continue the growth of women’s football following the success of the 2023 World Cup.
Wiegman entered her second World Cup final on Sunday, with the Dutch manager having previously led her country to defeat against the USA in 2019.
Though the Lionesses would ultimately be unable to secure a first World Cup title, Wiegman hailed her team’s accomplishments as they became the first senior England side to reach a final since 1966.
Speaking on the Lionesses’ social media, Wiegman explained that the success of the tournament has the potential to be transformative for women’s football going forward.
‘I think this tournament indeed broke all records, we had such a warm welcome, Wiegman said.
Sarina Wiegman insisted women’s football must build its the momentum from the World Cup
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‘Everything was so well organised the people here were so nice for us and try to facilitate us the best way they could and we felt that.
‘What you saw in the games, first of all the crowd was very impressive and very exciting too, but the games, you see the level of the game has improved so much, in physicality, in a technical way and in a tactical way.
‘Every country [at the top] now needs to step up to stay at at the top and you see that the countries just beneath the top are coming coming closer and closer and closer.
‘I just hope that worldwide everyone has seen it, and that people that are responsible now say “okay the women’s game we have to take it to the next to the next level, we’re now gonna give that a boost”.
Jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand the tournament broke several records, including an average attendance of 30,911, up from an average of 21,756 at the 2019 edition in Paris.
England suffered World Cup heartbreak against Spain, with Jorge Vilda’s side emerging victorious thanks to a first-half goal from Olga Carmona.
The 2023 tournament broke several records, including the highest average attendance figure
Lionesses’ boss also congratulated Spain for their victory against England in Sunday’s final
Wiegman added that she felt her side had chances to secure the win, Spain were worthy victors.
‘I think they played a very good tournament. They deserved their win, although I did think after the penalty this is our moment and I was really convinced that we were going to score a goal and then it’s gonna be totally different.
‘We had chances to score and also in the beginning of the game but overall their possession game and how they play was just really good and congratulations to Spain.’
