Sarina Wiegman’s England will travel to Switzerland next July to defend their European Championship crown
England have been drawn into a very tough Euro 2025 group as they aim to defend their European Championship title in Switzerland next year.
The Lionesses will face France, the Netherlands and debutants Wales for a place in the final eight.
In a draw overseen by Lionesses legend Jill Scott – among others – and hosted by Ian Wright, England were seeded in Pot Two after middling Nations League and qualification campaigns.
Sarina Wiegman’s side have endured mixed results since losing the 2023 World Cup final, including a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Germany in October and a 0-0 stalemate with Emma Hayes’ USA last month.
In Euro 2025 qualification, England beat Ireland home and away, drew with Sweden in both matches and toppled France in Saint-Etienne but lost at St James’ Park.
France are another nation in the midst of a tough patch, losing five of their last nine matches as they were knocked out of the Olympics in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile the Netherlands – with whom Wiegman won Euro 2017 – have recovered from a tough Nations League campaign to lose just one of their next nine games.
And Wales will take part in their first-ever major women’s tournament after a 2-1 win over Ireland earlier this month secured their place.
Rhian Wilkinson’s side head into Euro 2025 as the lowest-ranked team, but they have lost just one match in 2024 – a 2-1 defeat to Slovakia – winning seven of their 11 games.
Euro 2025 group stage draw in full
Group A
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Finland
Group B
- Spain
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Italy
Group C
- Germany
- Poland
- Denmark
- Sweden
Group D
- France
- England
- Wales
- Netherlands
Speaking to BBC Sport, Scott said of Wales’s qualification: “It’s so special. I was so happy for them when they qualified. I’ve just seen Jess Fishlock before and what a special player she is.
“I had the privilege of playing against her for years and I always thought that she deserved to be on the international stage in these tournaments.”
England’s first group game will take place against France on Saturday 5 July, before facing the Netherlands in Zurich four days later and Wales in St Gallen on 13 July.
Wales begin their tournament against the Netherlands in Lucerne, before heading to St Gallen to play France and England.
The final is scheduled for 27 July at Basel’s St Jakob-Park.
