England’s succession challenge after the Euro 2022 final
Wiegman’s successful England teams have been built around a core group of players from an outstanding generation, but cracks have begun to show this year. Seven members of the side that started against world champions Spain in June also played in the Euro 2022 final against Germany. England’s 4-0 defeat in Mallorca exposed the gap the team must bridge to compete with the world’s best and sent the Lionesses into two rounds of play-offs for next summer’s World Cup.
England navigated the first of those rounds by beating Greece this month. Matches against Ukraine are next before Christmas, with Wiegman’s side having already defeated Ukraine twice in 2026. The immediate qualification route is therefore established, but the longer-term challenge concerns what the squad will look like once its most successful players have moved on.
Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will be 37 and 36, respectively, by Euro 2029, while Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh will be 32. Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway will also have turned 30 by that point; they are considered far from past their best, but remain possible options in Wiegman’s longer-term planning. Finding successors to the players who have spearheaded England’s success will not be straightforward, and the challenge extends beyond simply replacing established names.
How Wiegman is developing the next generation
Record goalscorer Ellen White addressed the changing squad structure during a Women’s Football Weekly podcast appearance:
“We have to continue the evolution of the Lionesses,” record goalscorer Ellen White told the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. “We can’t stay stagnant or keep trying to win in the same ways all the time.”
Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis identifies Wiegman’s willingness to give young players a chance as one of her strengths as a manager. She explained her assessment during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live:
“She’s not afraid of bringing in players who have never been capped before,” Brown-Finnis told BBC Radio 5 Live. “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?”
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Former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton discussed those changes while speaking 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.”
Lexi Potter’s progression from an England debut in Wiegman’s most recent camp to regular starts for Chelsea provides a visible example of the pathway Brown-Finnis and Houghton describe. Houghton is also seeing younger players coming through to challenge those who have been established in the England squad for a long time.
Why This Matters
England’s situation combines an immediate World Cup qualification campaign with a succession cycle that extends to Euro 2029. The victory over Greece and the forthcoming matches against Ukraine provide near-term benchmarks, while the age profile of the squad makes the development of younger players an increasingly important part of long-term planning.
Wiegman’s willingness to introduce uncapped players gives her a route to refresh the squad without relying exclusively on the established core. Potter’s rapid move into Chelsea’s starting lineup demonstrates how an England call-up can coincide with a major step in a young player’s club career. The next steps are to maintain momentum against Ukraine before Christmas while continuing to widen the pathway for players capable of succeeding the generation that reached the Euro 2022 final.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What must England do to qualify for next summer’s World Cup?
- England have completed the first of two play-off rounds by beating Greece this month. Their next matches are against Ukraine before Christmas, and England have already beaten Ukraine twice in 2026.
- Why is succession a major concern for England?
- By Euro 2029, Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will be 37 and 36, while Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh will be 32. Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway will also have turned 30, making the development of younger squad members an important long-term issue.
- How is Wiegman preparing for the transition?
- Wiegman has given young and uncapped players opportunities, including Lexi Potter, who debuted during the latest England camp and now starts regularly for Chelsea. Younger players are also beginning to challenge long-serving members of the squad.
