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Football Insider

Sarina Wiegman: A Trailblazer in Football Honored with Prestigious Title

Sarina Wiegman, the mastermind behind England Women's European Championship triumph, has been bestowed with the distinguished honor of an honorary dame in the New Year Honours List. Joining her in the accolade are her brilliant England team members, including Leah Williamson. Let's delve deeper into this remarkable recognition and the bright future that lies ahead for the Lionesses.

Sarina Wiegman: A Trailblazer in Football Honored with Prestigious Title

England Women's manager Sarina Wiegman has been made an honorary dame in the New Year Honours List, after guiding the Lionesses to European Championship glory last summer. Arsenal captain Leah Williamson, as well as several team-mates, have also received gongs following the triumph in Switzerland.Wiegman has the unique distinction of guiding England to two successive European Championship victories, one on home soil, and one in Switzerland, beating Spain on penalties in the latter showpiece to exorcise the ghosts of their 2023 World Cup final loss. As a result of that victory, several England stars have been named in the King's New Year Honours list: Arsenal captain Leah Williamson is made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) and Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood, and Georgie Stanway are all made MBEs (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) following their own contributions.While Wiegman has been made a dame, she cannot use the title, because she is a foreign citizen, as she hails from the Netherlands. She said: "When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I've experienced from the English people. I deeply thank the fans for their support."This title is a reflection of my exceptional team of players and staff. My congratulations go to Alex, Ella, Georgia, Keira, Leah and also Dr Ritan Mehta (England women's head of medical and team doctor, who has been an MBE) who have all been celebrated for their brilliant contributions."Our team values mean that when there is recognition for one, then there is recognition for all. I want to pay tribute to every member of our Euro squad."They should all be celebrated for everything they brought to the pitch and for the positive role they play in society. I'm proud to work alongside such a dedicated group of people."It's been a special year and as we look ahead to our next objective, qualifying for the 2027 World Cup, we hope we can continue to make the country proud."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Wiegman has guided the Lionesses to the final of every tournament she's managed the country in - a remarkable statistic - and she will be aiming to continue that record at the 2027 World Cup. The tournament will take place in Brazil and while qualification is yet to begin, Wiegman's troops are likely to be regarded as one of the major favourites. They face a tricky qualifying group, though, as they must negotiate a World Cup final rematch with Spain, and clashes with Iceland and Ukraine.Wiegman said of the draw: “We seem to meet up all the time, either in tournaments or in draws such as the Nations League now and you can see both teams are very, very competitive and close and so here we go again. “I think it’s also nice to play Iceland and Ukraine. We haven’t played them for a long time.“Of course, they [Ukraine] got promoted to League A, which was very good for them and it’s a team that we don’t know very well at the moment but I find it nice to play a team that we don’t know yet, to have that challenge.“Iceland, of course, had to play against Northern Ireland in the play-offs which was was a tough team to play.“I haven’t played them with England, but they have some very good players in their squad too.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingThe Lionesses return to action on March 3 against Ukraine as qualification gets underway for the 2027 finals. Wiegman's current contract expires after the conclusion of the tournament, and she is eager to secure more silverware.

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Sarina Wiegman - A Visionary Leader on the Football Pitch

Sarina Wiegman's exceptional coaching prowess has shone through as she steered the England Women's team to a consecutive European Championship victory. Her strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication led the Lionesses to triumph both at home and on foreign soil, culminating in a thrilling victory against Spain. Despite being unable to use the dame title due to her foreign citizenship, the recognition is a testament to her remarkable achievements and the indelible mark she has left on English football.

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Leah Williamson and England Team: A Tale of Collective Success

The honors extended to Leah Williamson, along with her England teammates, highlight the collaborative effort and exceptional talent that propelled the national team to glory. Hailed as a CBE and MBE recipients, each player's contribution on and off the pitch has been instrumental in England's success. This recognition not only celebrates their sporting achievements but also underscores the positive impact they have within society.

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Future Endeavors and World Cup Aspirations

Looking ahead, Sarina Wiegman sets her sights on the upcoming 2027 World Cup, where the Lionesses aim to continue their winning streak under her astute leadership. With a challenging qualifying group ahead, including familiar foes and new contenders, the path to the World Cup promises intense competition and thrilling matchups. Wiegman's strategic insights and her team's unwavering determination position them as strong contenders for the coveted title on football's grand stage.

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A Legacy of Excellence and Continued Success

As the Lionesses gear up for their qualification journey and march towards the 2027 World Cup, the spirit of teamwork, dedication, and passion embodied by Wiegman and her squad shines bright. With each player contributing their best on the field, England's football legacy continues to flourish. The upcoming challenges and opportunities on the horizon are poised to elevate the team's achievements and inspire a new generation of football enthusiasts around the world.

Published on Dec 30, 2025