The anticipation surrounding the upcoming Women’s Euro 2025 is palpable, especially after the completion of the group stage draw held on December 16, 2024, in Lausanne, Switzerland. The defending champions, England, will find themselves facing formidable opponents: Wales, France, and the Netherlands. This lineup promises to deliver exhilarating matches as England seeks to defend its title, initially claimed at home during the last tournament.
Manager Sarina Wiegman, who has garnered acclaim for her tactical prowess, described the draw as both "tough" and "exciting." This sentiment encapsulates the reality of their situation. Opening the tournament against France, the team will need to be at its sharpest, especially since France triumphed over them earlier this year, defeating the Lionesses 2-1 to secure top position during qualification.
“I think we have a very interesting, exciting group. It’s very tough,” Wiegman remarked after the draw. She emphasizes the necessity of taking each match as it arrives and having the squad prepared for a rigorous start on July 5, 2025. Following the encounter with France, England will battle the Netherlands, where Wiegman’s connection to her homeland adds another layer of intrigue. Their third group match will see them square off against Wales—a squad celebrating its debut at this illustrious event.
Wales, under the guidance of head coach Rhian Wilkinson, is eager for the challenge, even if they’ve been labeled as the underdogs. Commenting on the distinction of facing England, Wilkinson acknowledged the history between the teams. “There’ll be some rivalry when we go on the pitch. I’m looking forward to it,” she said. This match will undoubtedly draw significant attention as it marks Wales' first foray onto such a stage.
Jess Fishlock, Wales' highest-scoring player and record-holder for caps, shares her confidence, saying, "You don’t get to a major tournament and the top 16 teams in Europe without being a good side." Despite the pressure and the odds stacked against them, Fishlock is adamant about their capabilities. “Let them write us off at their peril,” echoes assistant coach Jon Grey, reinforcing the squad’s resolve to rise to the occasion.
The Netherlands and France are also key contenders within Group D. The Dutch, coached by Andries Jonker, are seasoned veterans on this stage with their previous title win underscoring their strength. They have the tactical knowledge required to navigate tough matches. Jonker expressed the competitiveness of the group, stating, “I think the winner of this group can win the whole tournament,” drawing attention to the high caliber of teams represented.
Looking at the broader tournament structure, the Euro 2025 will feature 16 teams across four groups, with the top two from each advancing to the quarter-finals. Spain enters the limelight as the reigning world champions and has been placed strategically within Group B, competing against Portugal, Belgium, and Italy. Meanwhile, Germany, who were runners-up to England at Euro 2022, will contend with Poland, Denmark, and Sweden, making their path equally challenging.
Interestingly, the tournament will be hosted across eight different venues throughout Switzerland, with the final set to take place at St. Jakob-Park in Basel—the same venue where Iceland will face Finland during the opening game on July 2.
The prize fund for Euro 2025 has seen significant enhancement, rising to €41 million (£34 million), which is more than double the amount from the previous tournament. This increase reflects growing investments and recognition of women’s football. For the first time, players will receive between 30% and 40% of the prize money their nations earn, marking another positive step toward addressing disparities within the sport.
With the tournament just months away, the excitement builds as teams prepare to showcase their skills on the European stage. Fan engagement has already begun heating up, with many eagerly awaiting the kickoff of this prestigious competition.
