Sarina Wiegman says England’s women’s side has received assurances that they are safe in Turkey, while they stay in regular contact with officials about the unfolding conflict in the Middle East as they prepare to meet Ukraine in a Women’s World Cup qualifier.
The Tuesday fixture is being staged in Antalya, on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast, on neutral territory because of the war in Ukraine. The Lionesses arrived in Antalya for a training camp last week, landing before hostilities began in the Middle East.
The UK Foreign Office advises against travelling to any part of Turkey within 10 km of the Syrian border, a restriction that includes Antalya. For the rest of the country, the guidance is to stay alert, seek shelter if instructed and avoid areas around security or military installations.
“If our government deems it unsafe, we will return; at present we have no such indication,” Wiegman said calmly at a press conference on Monday. “We have received reassurances. We are in close contact with our government and with the relevant authorities here, so our security team is liaising with them and we are fine, but they are monitoring the situation and remain in touch with the authorities constantly.
“Of course you’re worried about what’s happening globally – it’s unsettling. Nobody wants war. It makes things very difficult.”
The uncertainty was reflected in the unusually quiet media session. Only Sky Sports News posed questions in person at England’s press conference on Monday, after other UK outlets that had planned to travel, including CuriosityNews, cancelled over safety concerns.
The match is the first of six World Cup qualifiers for England in a group that also contains Spain and Iceland. Wiegman confirmed that every player in her current squad is available.
Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway, who spoke alongside the coach, said she is “very close” to deciding her next club after announcing in January that she will leave Bayern at the season’s end. Arsenal are widely tipped to be the leading candidates.
Stanway described her move to Bayern as “one of the best decisions of her life” and said that leaving will be “a really difficult decision.” The 27‑year‑old added that she has discussed the matter with Wiegman.
Both Stanway and Wiegman welcomed the news that England and Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns is expecting her first child. “I’m very happy for her, it’s great news. I think she’s doing well. I hope everything goes smoothly,” Wiegman said.
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