Wiegman to lead Team GB at Olympics, subject to qualification

Sarina Wiegman will manage Britain’s women’s football team at next year’s Olympics should England secure qualification via the Nations League.

The two nations that progress to the first women’s edition of the Nations League final will secure Europe’s spots in Paris, alongside hosts France.

England have been nominated as the home nation with eligibility to obtain a spot for Britain.

However, intriguingly they face Scotland in their Nations League group, where dropped points for England could cost some of the Scots their chance of competing at the Olympics.

Wiegman led England to win Euro 2022 and to the final of this year’s World Cup.

“My full focus is on the Nations League campaign, but I would of course be very excited if the chance came to lead Team GB next summer. It would be an honour,” said Wiegman in a statement released by the English Football Association.

“The Olympic Games is such a special sporting event and, for women’s football, one of the biggest stages to play.

“That is the goal, but we know it cannot happen if we don’t do our job in the Nations League.”

England open their Nations League campaign at home to Scotland on Friday with the Netherlands and Belgium also in Group A1.

Four group winners will advance to February’s Nations League semi-finals and final.

There will be no Team GB in the men’s Olympics football tournament, despite England winning the under-21 European Championship which served as a qualifier.

The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football associations are opposed to fielding a side due to fears it could risk their status as independent nations in FIFA and UEFA.