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Portrait of Sarina Wiegman

Photo: Alecsandra Dragoi / No 10 Downing Street · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Netherlands · Nationality Dutch — Sport / sports governance

Sarina Wiegman

Sport

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “2022–2026 Hampton–Earps: goalkeeper management and accusation of “rewarding bad behaviour”” and “2026 World Cup qualifying: 4–0 loss to Spain, England's heaviest defeat in 17 years, prompts criticism”.

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Profile No. 2660 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Sarina Wiegman

Photo: Alecsandra Dragoi / No 10 Downing Street · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
7Documented controversies+ 1 background event
17Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2022–February 2026

2022–2026 Hampton–Earps: goalkeeper management and accusation of “rewarding bad behaviour”

No legal proceedings

After Hannah Hampton's temporary exclusion in 2022 over reported personal or behavioural issues, Wiegman recalled her in 2023 and then made her first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Mary Earps. Earps retired from international football in May 2025 and subsequently wrote that she had told Wiegman that Hampton's return amounted to “rewarding bad behaviour”. Wiegman defended her decision, stating that she made choices to win and would do the same again.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    The GuardianMary Earps says she told Wiegman she was rewarding Hampton’s ‘bad behaviour’PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Guardian‘I make decisions to win’: Wiegman defends her handling of Earps and HamptonPressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The GuardianMary Earps says she 'learned some tough lessons' from book backlashPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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02

5–6 June 2026

2026 World Cup qualifying: 4–0 loss to Spain, England's heaviest defeat in 17 years, prompts criticism

No legal proceedings

England lost 4–0 in Spain during qualifying for the 2027 World Cup, their heaviest defeat in 17 years and the heaviest of the Wiegman era. The result deprived the team of control over direct qualification and prompted questions about the game plan and selection decisions.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    England FootballWiegman: A very difficult nightOfficial documentVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    Sky SportsSpain 4-0 England: Analysing the fallout from the Lionesses' heaviest defeat under Sarina WiegmanPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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03

July 2025

Euro 2025: criticism of starting eleven, tactics and late substitutions despite title-winning campaign

No legal proceedings

During Euro 2025, Wiegman was criticised for her starting eleven following defeat by France, certain tactical choices against Sweden and substitutions considered late. The debate continued even as England again reached the final and went on to win the tournament.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Legal status — source text
Not applicable

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    BBC SportSarina Wiegman 'not for sale at any price' after Euro 2025PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    NOSVijfde finale op rij en toch is er kritiek op Wiegman, wat is er aan de hand?BroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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04

June 2022–November 2024

2022–2024 Steph Houghton: exclusion from major tournaments and criticism of Wiegman's communication

No legal proceedings

Wiegman left former captain Steph Houghton out of Euro 2022 after her return from injury, then the 2023 World Cup despite her return to action with Manchester City. The 2023 decision prompted extensive sporting debate. After retiring, Houghton said she had experienced a lack of empathy and clarity and had felt abandoned at the end of her international career.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianWiegman’s omission of Steph Houghton from England squad is major riskPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianSteph Houghton: 'That human touch wasn't there with England. I felt let down'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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05

May–June 2023

2023 World Cup: club–country dispute over player release date

No legal proceedings

Wiegman wanted the Lionesses to assemble on 19 June to prepare for the World Cup, earlier than the window advocated by several clubs. WSL clubs considered that the FA had put excessive pressure on players to accept the date and that the dispute had severely damaged relations between clubs and the federation.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianWSL clubs feel England players were bullied into early release for World CupPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianWiegman in club v country wrangle over release of England World Cup playersPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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06

June–July 2019

2019 World Cup: criticism of Dutch playing style despite reaching final

No legal proceedings

At the 2019 World Cup, the Netherlands reached the final but faced recurring criticism for a lack of creativity in open play, a pace considered slow and heavy reliance on set pieces. Wiegman acknowledged that criticism had become more personal for the team while defending her game plan.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Legal status — source text
Not applicable

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    NOSMijn 2019: Wiegman en de emotie die ze niet thuis kon brengenBroadcastHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Voetbal InternationalWiegman reageert op kritiek: 'Iets waar we doorheen moeten'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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07

July–September 2017

Euro 2017: captain Mandy van den Berg dropped, decision acknowledged as unpopular

No legal proceedings

During Euro 2017, Wiegman stopped starting captain Mandy van den Berg, and the armband passed to Sherida Spitse. The KNVB itself cited dropping Van den Berg and not selecting Merel van Dongen among Wiegman's unpopular decisions. Van den Berg subsequently chose to make herself temporarily unavailable for international selection.

State of the evidence
Documented
Legal status — source text
Not applicable
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    OnsOranje / KNVBVijf redenen waarom je op Sarina Wiegman kan stemmenOfficial documentVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    NOSWiegman tevreden én waakzaam met WK-selectie: 'Kan jaloezie ontstaan'BroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

  1. 3 June 2025

    2025 Fran Kirby: informed of likely non-selection before Euro, followed by international retirement

    Wiegman informed Fran Kirby that she was unlikely to be selected for Euro 2025. Kirby then announced her immediate international retirement, describing the news as an emotional shock while saying she respected the honesty of the discussion.

    Sources · 2
    1. BBC Sport — Fran Kirby: Lionesses star retires from England duty before Euro 2025
    2. L'Équipe — L'Anglaise Fran Kirby prend sa retraite internationale

III. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

IV. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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