Wiegman looks ahead to 'tough' Belgium double header

England women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed just how excited she is for the Lionesses’ double header against Belgium later this month, after unveiling her 25-player squad to face the Red Flames in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Wiegman addressed the media following the announcement, with a first senior call-up for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Maisie Symonds on the cards.

The midfielder, who has represented England at youth level, including the women’s under-23s, comes into Wiegman’s squad and the youngster could make her debut next month.

“We’ve been following Maisie at Brighton but also, she’s played some good games for the under-23s,” explained Wiegman, speaking on the decision.

“This gives her an opportunity to show in our environment what she’s about and to see where she is relating to the other midfielders in our squad. I’m really looking forward to see where she’s at.”
In addition, the Lionesses boss has opted to include four goalkeepers within her 25-player squad.

PSG’s Mary Earps, Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, Manchester City’s Khiara Keating and Orlando Pride’s Anna Moorhouse make the line-up, with 20 year old Keating recalled by Wiegman.

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“She’s [Keating] a very talented goalkeeper,” said Wiegman. “We have seen that again this weekend. We want her in our environment.

“We’re getting closer to the EUROs so looking at this camp now and also looking at the EUROs, we’re bringing in four goalkeepers – whereas in the tournament, you can only bring three – and we just want to have them four goalkeepers in our squad and in our environment next week.”

After missing out on the initial February squad before being called up to replace the injured Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly – who completed a temporary switch to Arsenal in January – has been named in the squad, with Wiegman citing the loan move as a contributing factor.

“It’s important because then you get in a rhythm,” continued Wiegman. “What we want is that she shows her qualities and that she’s at her best because that helps the team. First, you need the minutes and what you can tell is that she’s enjoying it now.”

With her last England selection coming in December 2024, Brighton’s Fran Kirby also makes her return, with the attacker playing 12 times in the WSL so far this season and counting.

“She brings lots of experience and good football vision,” said Wiegman. “In her position, there’s a lot of competition going on, but she knows exactly what’s expected at this level of the game and you can see that at Brighton too what she brings.”

Wiegman also stressed the importance of the competition, while also explaining that the two upcoming games will serve as preparation for this summer’s tournament in Switzerland.

“We want to do really well in the Nations League because that gives us a better position for qualifying for the World Cup but at the same time, it is preparation for the EUROs so we want to see players,” insisted Wiegman.

“We want to take the opportunity to see these players in our environment and in training sessions but also in the games. The closer you get to the tournament, the more decisive decisions you’ll have to take for the tournament. That’s too early now but again, this next camp will give us a lot of information about where players stand.

“We also have some injuries and hopefully the players who are injured can come back in a good period of time where we can see where they’re at.”

The first of the two clashes takes place at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate on Friday 4 April (8pm BST) before England travel to the King Power at Den Dreef Stadion on Tuesday 8 April (6.30pm BST).

“We’re looking forward to Belgium now,” added Wiegman. “We’ve played Belgium, of course, in the Nations League before. They’ll give us different challenges that we have to adapt to again and that’s what we want to show next week.

“It’s going to be two tough games but I’m really looking forward to meeting up with the team again and continue what we were doing last camp.”