Sarina Wiegman insists ‘players are not robots’ amid biennial World Cup talk

England manager Sarina Wiegman has reiterated her stance against holding World Cups every two years insisting “players are not robots” and need their welfare protecting.

The conversation about switching to biennial World Cups has rumbled on in recent weeks.

Wiegman was appointed as England boss last year but only took charge of her first game on Friday night as the Lionesses thrashed North Macedonia 8-0 in a World Cup qualifier at St Mary’s.

England now face a trip to Luxembourg on Tuesday for their next Group D match as Wiegman looks to guide her new side to the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The format of the competition could soon change, however, as FIFA is holding a feasibility study into shortening the gap between men’s and women’s World Cups from four to two years.

Wiegman joined the England set-up following a successful stint as Holland boss which saw her land the 2017 Women’s Euros and finish runners-up in the 2019 World Cup.

The 51-year-old said she was against any changes to biennial World Cups following her Wembley unveiling a fortnight ago and doubled down on her stance on the eve of the Luxembourg fixture.

“I wouldn’t do it,” she said. “I think it’s not very good for the players, for their welfare. In Europe it’s very well organised, we have very good competitions, we have the Euros, then you have the Olympics, then you have the World Cup, which are major tournaments for us.

“I think when you have all these tournaments every year where are the players going to get some rest? Where are they going to recover from a very intense football year every year? Players are not robots so I don’t think it’s a very good idea.

“I think the FA is in contact and yes I hope that all the stakeholders will be asked and that they will take some advice from them and I think coaches with international experience are also stakeholders and we should be part of that discussion too, and we know the players also. Players are stakeholders too.”

Wiegman may shuffle her pack against Luxembourg to take a look at more of her squad, although Steph Houghton will not be involved after returning to Manchester City having been injured in training last week.

Houghton was due to retain the captaincy but, having missed out against North Macedonia, Arsenal’s Leah Williamson skippered England for the first time and was praised for her leadership qualities.

Wiegman confirmed Williamson will wear the armband again on Tuesday, but that she is still yet to decide who will captain her team in the long-term.

“It was always the plan to have the same captain for both games after Steph dropped out. That was always the plan but it is not all set in stone,” she added.

While Wiegman is against alterations to the staging of World Cup finals, she does believe changes to the qualification process could benefit all European nations.

England ran out easy winners over North Macedonia and the chasm between the best countries in Europe and those still developing was also laid bare as Spain and France both enjoyed 10-0 victories – over Faroe Islands and Greece, respectively.

Asked if pre-qualification for the lower-ranked nations would be a smart move, Wiegman replied: “It is a good question.

“It’s hard, these teams are developing and what you want to do is develop women’s football worldwide and also in Europe of course but the difference between qualities now is actually huge and it’s not very competitive when you win 8-0.

“So we have to find a way and keep the discussion open at all times, what’s best to get the women’s game on a higher level?

“For the top teams but also for the countries that are somewhere else in their development. I don’t have the solution at the moment but having too many matches which finish 8-0 – or those kinds of results – that’s not good for the game.”