Sarina Wiegman and several England stars expressed their disappointment after failing to secure an automatic spot in the upcoming Women's World Cup, despite a commanding 3-0 victory over Ukraine in their final qualifying match on October 1, 2023. The Lionesses concluded their campaign with 15 points from six games in Group A3, winning five but falling short of top spot due to a significant 4-0 defeat to Spain.

Despite their strong performance, the result against Spain proved costly, as the reigning world champions claimed the group’s top position based on head-to-head results and goal difference. Wiegman questioned how England, the European champions, found themselves in such a challenging group alongside Spain, stating, "I'm not really happy... we have to go into the play-offs."

Striker Alessia Russo acknowledged the toughness of the qualifying round, reflecting on the disappointment of not advancing automatically:

We know the performance was below our standards... we wanted to qualify automatically.

Defender Niamh Charles, who started against Ukraine, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the quality of Spain and the challenges presented by the group.

Post-match, players Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway highlighted the rarity of a team finishing with 15 points yet not qualifying directly, with Stanway noting, "It shows our level, our consistency..." Mead added, "It's frustrating... but we stay motivated to qualify through the play-offs."

As the Lionesses prepare for the looming play-offs, they remain determined to secure their place in the World Cup, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.