Only the winners of League A3 qualify automatically for the World Cup in Brazil, meaning one of world champions Spain or European champions England will have to go through the play-offs. For England, their task in these two opening qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland has been to get two wins, boost the goal difference and keep confidence high before a 2023 World Cup final rematch against the Spanish on 14 April. But England manager Sarina Wiegman has made clear she views Park as an option in a number of roles. Ultimately this was an accomplished England performance that made a good Icelandic side, ranked 16th in the world, look ordinary. And it maintains England's remarkable record in World Cup qualifying.

Source: BBC March 07, 2026 11:50 UTC