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- England set to face China at Wembley
- Champions of Europe & Asia to lock horns in November
- Wiegman looking forward to ‘new challenge’
The Lionesses successfully defended their European crown as they beat world champions Spain in the final and also avenged their loss in the World Cup final from two years ago. Wiegman’s squad flew back to the UK from Switzerland on Tuesday and celebrated their title with thousands of fans gathered outside Buckingham Palace.
Wiegman, who won her third major international title in her fifth consecutive final, is looking forward to the challenge of facing a China side that won their record ninth Asian Cup title in 2022, beating South Korea 3-2 in the final.
Speaking on facing the champions of Asia, the Dutch tactician said: “After an incredible month and the celebrations this week, we are already planning ahead. It will be special to have a final visit to Wembley this year and something for us all to look forward to once the new season starts. Even though we have just finished the EURO, our World Cup qualifiers are not too far away. There are not many opportunities for us to play non-European opposition in the calendar, so I am happy we have been able to secure a top Asian side like China for this FIFA window.
“I’m sure China will give us a very different game to what we experienced in Australia. Whenever we face a squad where most of the players are based away from Europe or the United States, it is a new challenge. And with the start of the qualification campaign soon approaching, this will be valuable experience with the 2027 World Cup in mind.”
The match between the two continental champions has been scheduled for November 29. This will be the sixth meeting between the two teams, with China and England winning two games each out of their last five head-to-head clashes.
