England will not play for a draw against Spain, says Wiegman

Sarina Wiegman insisted her England side will not play for a draw against Spain in their Women’s World Cup qualifier on Friday.

The Lionesses need just one point against their rivals to qualify for the tournament. Should England avoid defeat to Spain and qualify for the World Cup, it would be the sixth consecutive tournament they have reached.

England have won more games against Spain this century than any other nation across all competitions (nine) – the Lionesses could be the first team to beat the Spaniards home and away in a qualifying campaign for a major tournament, since Netherlands in a play-off tie ahead of Euro 2009.

Wiegman’s side have also won each of their last seven games, only having a longer winning streak three times across their history: a run of nine ending in 1975, a run of eight ending in 1987 and a run of 15 ending in 2022.

The Dutch coach is determined to see her side book their place at the World Cup as soon as possible, hoping to avoid the play-offs.

“We approach the game as we want to win the game. We will go out there to win the game,” said Wiegman.

Back on our @FIFAWWC qualifying journey #Lionesses | @EASPORTSFC pic.twitter.com/K2N54uz1B8

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2026

“We’re in a good position. We just really want to qualify as quick as possible. We want to top the group.

“It’s a hard group, it’s a difficult game. It’s the same for Spain; it’s a difficult game for them, too. And it just helps [to qualify early] because you have time then to prepare.

“We know what the consequences are, so, no matter what happens, we have another opportunity [in the play-offs if they finish second], but we go out there to play and win.”

Spain are unbeaten in each of their five previous competitive home games against England (W2 D3), winning 2-1 in Barcelona in their most recent in June last year, in the Women’s Nations League.

Spain have lost just two of their last 25 matches across all competitions (W19 D4), though both defeats have come against England.

They lost 0-1 in both February 2025 and April 2026, which are also two of only three occasions on which the Spaniards have failed to score in that same period (also 0-0 vs Germany).