England boss Sarina Wiegman 'in line for damehood' ahead of blockbuster Spain World Cup final

England Sarina Wiegman Australia Women's World Cup final

England boss Sarina Wiegman is set to be recognised ahead of Spain World Cup final

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 17/08/2023

- 09:17

The 53-year-old has worked wonders with the Lionesses

England boss Sarina Wiegman is reportedly in line for a damehood if the Lionesses win the Women's World Cup.

The European champions were too strong for Australia on Wednesday, with goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo sending them through to a first-ever World Cup final.


Now, according to The Telegraph, Wiegman is in line for a damehood if England manage to bring the trophy home.

It's claimed there's a belief Downing Street would increase the allocation of available sporting honours to recognise such a huge achievement.

England Australia

England beat Australia on Wednesday to make the final of the Women's World Cup

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And Wiegman wouldn't be the only person to be rewarded.

Regular starters such as Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and captain Millie Bright would all likely get honoured as well.

England won the European Championships last summer with four of their prominent players recognised for that achievement.

This included Leah Williamson, who has missed this year's tournament due to injury, being given a OBE.

Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Ellen White all became MBES, while Wiegman herself was made CBE on the overseas list after the Dutch government gave the green light.

England's men's team won the World Cup back in 1966.

After that triumph, manager Alf Ramsey was knighted by the queen.

However, team captain Bobby Moore died of cancer in 1992 having only received an OBE.

England are now gearing up for the biggest match since then, with Wiegman on the verge of history.

Her side have been sensational at the tournament, overcoming the likes of Haiti, Denmark, China, Nigeria, Colombia and now Australia on their way to the final.

Wiegman was thrilled after England's win on Wednesday, saying: “We achieved the final! Unbelievable, it feels like we won the whole thing but we didn’t.

“An away game at this incredible stadium, it was a hard game but again, we found a way to win.

“We scored three goals, in this team there is ruthlessness, up front and defence. We really want to win.

"We stick together and we stick to the plan and it worked again.”

And, on becoming the first coach to reach the World Cup final with two countries, she added: “The chance that as a coach you make it to two finals is really special, we made it to four already.

“It’s like I’m living a fairy tale or something!”

Australia coach Tony Gustavsson, meanwhile, admitted he was left hurt by the defeat.

“I hate to lose," said the Matildas boss.

"But I said it before, it’s bigger than 90 minutes of football.

"We’re very disappointed that we lost, but, hopefully, we won something else. We won the heart and the passion for this team in this country.

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Spain Women's World Cup

Spain stand in the way of England and Women's World Cup glory

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“But I agree with the players, this is not the end of something, this needs to be the start of something. And with that comes money as well.”

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