Sarina Wiegman revealed that she never expected to collect the accolades she has received after taking on the England head coach role in 2021.
Since her appointment, Wiegman has won back-to-back European Championships with the Lionesses, with their latter victory in 2025 the first time any England side has won silverware on foreign soil.
Wiegman herself has won three consecutive Euros, also doing so with the Netherlands, while she also led England to a World Cup final in 2023.
The Dutch coach was recently named an honorary damehood (DBE) in the King’s New Year Honours list for 2026 for her services to football, while she also received a tribute award from the Football Writers’ Association.
“It’s been a bit overwhelming,” Wiegman told Sky Sports.
“We’ve felt so much recognition, that was so nice. You can really feel the appreciation.
“It’s incredible. When I came here in 2021 I never expected it to be like this. It’s been so special. To be so accepted here and the journey we’ve been on, to be an honourary dame, is hard to describe what an honour it is.”
Proud #Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman received the @theofficialfwa Tribute Award on Sunday evening
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) January 26, 2026
Following on from their continental success last summer, the Lionesses will now begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in March.
They face reigning world champions and Euros finalists Spain in their group, as well as Ukraine and Iceland.
“With the qualities we have, if we’re at our best we should qualify for the World Cup,” said Wiegman.
“We have different scenarios, we’re going out there to win every game but we know that’s very difficult. It’s very hard to top the group.
“The team’s in a good place, most of the players are. I can feel everyone’s ready to get started again. We have to qualify first. We’ve started a new cycle playing games against Ukraine and Iceland, who I haven’t faced with England.
“We’ve also got Spain, we can’t get rid of each other. I’m also excited to look ahead longer term but not taking for granted qualifying.”