England manager Sarina Wiegman insists her players are well prepared for soaring temperatures in Switzerland as the Lionesses begin the defence of their Women’s European Championship title this weekend.
England take on France in Zurich on Saturday with temperatures set to be in the high 20s as Wiegman’s side look to retain the trophy they lifted at Wembley in 2022.
But if progressing out of the so-called ‘Group of death’ comprising Les Bleues, the Netherlands, who won the competition in 2017 under Wiegman, and tournament debutants Wales, will be one challenge for her squad, the England boss is confident that the heat won’t be an issue for her players.
“We could already practise it in the first week of our training camp because in England it was really hot too,” said Wiegman, who revealed protocols the team has in place to help handle playing in punishing weather.
“We have ice cold towels at the rest moment in the training sessions.
“We make sure we are hydrated. Take another rest, don’t go in and out all the time, for recovery, and do those things to keep your body temperature low.”
Training ✅
Sightseeing on Lake Zurich ✅Day two in Switzerland🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/a7WxxaaxLc
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 2, 2025
Ahead of the clash with France, who were semi-finalists three years ago, Wiegman also revealed she is not planning to make extra substitutions on account of the warm weather.
She added: “When we sub we do it because it’s necessary to change the game or to sub someone who gave everything that needs to go out, I will not think of managing the heat at that point.
“After that game, we recover and then we come together as a team with the medical, technical, how does everyone come out of this game and then we move forward to the next game against the Netherlands.”
The Lionesses play France in their Group D opener on Saturday, with the match kicking off at 20:00 (UK time).
