Could Building Lionesses 2.0 secure England’s Euro 2029 hopes?

Sarina Wiegman, who declared in September 2021 that she had "come to bring the next level", has now extended her contract beyond the 2029 Euros, marking a new phase for the Building Lionesses project. The three‑time European champion has guided England to two further Women’s European Championships and a World Cup silver, cementing her status as the architect of a golden era.

European success and World Cup pedigree

Wiegman first lifted the Women’s European Championship with the Netherlands in 2017, then repeated the feat with England in 2022 and 2025. She also led the Dutch side to a runner‑up finish at the 2019 World Cup, proving she could deliver on the promises she made when she arrived in England.

Five years on, the manager has added two more European titles and another global silver medal, underscoring a period of unprecedented achievement for the England Women’s team.

Regeneration challenges ahead

Despite the triumphs, cracks have emerged. Seven players who started the 4‑0 loss to Spain in June also featured in the Euro 2022 final, highlighting a gap that England must close to compete with the world’s best. Defensive stalwarts Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will be 37 and 36 respectively by Euro 2029, while Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh will be 32, prompting questions about succession.

Record scorer Ellen White told the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, "We have to continue the evolution of the Lionesses. We can't stay stagnant or keep trying to win in the same ways all the time." Former goalkeeper Rachel Brown‑Finnis added on BBC Radio 5 Live, "She’s not afraid of bringing in players who have never been capped before. Wiegman is looking right across the spectrum and asking who's on form, who can add to my squad, who can fill a position or a couple of different positions?"

Former captain Steph Houghton noted on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, "You can see Wiegman is trying to change a few things. The last camp she brought on Lexi Potter for her debut and she is now starting regularly for Chelsea. As a young player you need that to thrive in this environment."

During her tenure, Wiegman has handed debuts to 24 players, yet only Lauren James, Hannah Hampton and Lucia Kendall have cemented themselves as regular starters. Recent fixtures against Greece showcased emerging talent such as Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown, 23, and 20‑year‑old Chelsea academy graduate Lexi Potter, who impressed in midfield.

FA chief football officer Dan Ashworth praised Wiegman’s impact, saying she has ushered in "a golden age for women's football in this country". Yet attendance figures for the 2026‑27 season show a decline, with only 18,587 fans watching England’s 5‑0 victory over Greece, nearly 10,000 fewer than earlier qualifiers, indicating the sport’s momentum may be plateauing.