England women face World Cup play-offs despite Ukraine win as Spain seal top spot

England beat Ukraine 3-0 on Tuesday night, but the result was rendered irrelevant moments later as Spain thumped Iceland 6-1 in Reykjavik, snatching the automatic World Cup qualification spot from the Lionesses’ grasp. Sarina Wiegman’s side finished runners-up in League A3 with 15 points, but Spain’s superior head-to-head record — built on a 4-0 win in their own meeting after England’s narrow 1-0 victory — sent the defending world champions to Brazil next year. “The competition in Europe is really high,” said Wiegman. “What I’m disappointed about is that we win five games, we have 15 points and we’re in a group with the world champions and then you can’t qualify.” The Lionesses now head for a two-round play-off in October, November and December, with the draws scheduled for Thursday 18 June. England will be seeded in the first round, where they face one of the League C group winners or the two best-ranked runners-up — possible opponents include Lithuania, Kosovo, Hungary, Greece, Romania, Belarus, Croatia and Kazakhstan. Win that two-legged tie, and another awaits against European opposition for a place at the World Cup. “I’m happy with the performance tonight — but not the result of us having to go into the play-offs. That’s just the way it is. We will get ready for it,” added Wiegman. The play-off route means less time for preparation and friendly matches, and players on the fringes of the starting XI may have fewer chances to stake a claim. Wiegman insisted she is keeping her options open: “We’re always following players and we have conversations about that. Of course, players know where they stand and why we would select them or not. When I think you’re the best player, I will pick you.” For now, the back-to-back European champions must wait and hope they can navigate the October hurdles that stand between them and a World Cup campaign.