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Topics: Womens Football, Womens World Cup, Sarina Wiegman
Joe Adams
Sarina Wiegman will be put forward for an honorary damehood if the Lionesses win the World Cup, according to reports.
After beating Australia 3-1 on Wednesday, England have the chance to win back-to-back tournaments if they beat Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Meanwhile, it will be Wiegman's second consecutive World Cup final after finishing runners-up to the United States in 2019 when in charge of the Netherlands.
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The 53-year-old is widely considered one of the best coaches in world football, which has seen her linked with the England men's job in recent days.
And should she lead the Lionesses to World Cup to glory, The Telegraph claim Wiegman could receive a damehood in recognition of her achievements which would parallel England's infamous win in 1966.
The report adds that captain Millie Bright, goalkeeper Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and other first team stars would also be recognised, but there remains uncertainty over whether bit-part players could be included with MBEs.
After winning the Euros last summer, the sporting honours committee limited recognition to just four of the team’s prominent players. Leah Williamson, who is currently sidelined with injury, received an OBE while Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Ellen White all became MBEs.
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Wiegman, meanwhile, was made CBE on the overseas list with the permission of the Dutch government - a process which would likely be required to make her an honorary dame. No 10 will reportedly take the lead on whether every member of the playing squad will be recognised.
After the men’s World Cup in 1966, the team's manager, Alf Ramsey, was knighted by the Queen immediately after the triumph, and captain Bobby Moore received an OBE the following year.
Honours trends in sport have since fluctuated. After concerns that too many had been issued in the 2000s and early 2010s following England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, 2005 Ashes victory and various Olympic successes, England’s 2017 and 2019 Cricket World Cup wins saw just a handful of the team’s key players recognised.