The qualifying period for the 2025 Women’s European Championship to determine which 15 teams will join automatically qualified host country Switzerland is just around the corner.
England face a daunting task in securing an automatic qualifying spot for next year’s Women’s European Championship having been drawn in the toughest qualifying group, but the defending champions are still expected to make progress. They open their bid against Sweden this week.
England’s Euro 2025 qualifiers
England will face France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland home and away in three international windows over the next four and a half months.
The teams that finish outside the top two and therefore do not qualify automatically will play play-offs in the autumn of 2024 over two rounds of two-legged ties over two windows.
Friday April 5
England v Sweden, Wembley, 8pm
Tuesday April 9
Republic of Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium 7.30pm
Fri May 31
England v France, St James’ Park, 8pm
Tuesday June 4
France vs England, Stade Geoffrey-Guichard, to be confirmed
Fri July 12
England v Republic of Ireland, Carrow Road, 8pm
Tuesday, July 16
Sweden v England, TBC
How to watch
All matches in England are broadcast by ITV Sport.
Other important dates
October 21-29
Either qualifying play-offs for Euro 2025 (if necessary) or friendlies
November 25 – December 3
Either Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs final round (if necessary) or friendlies
December 16
Draw for European Championship 2025
Who are England’s group opponents?
France
Often tipped for his greatness, but so far he has proven to be a perennial underachiever at major tournaments.
Led by Hervé Renard, who famously oversaw Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina at the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar, they reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup last year but lost on penalties to co-hosts Australia. France was also second in the inaugural Women’s Nations League last month.
They have a team studded with stars from Paris St-Germain and record eight-time Champions League winners Lyon, and historically have a strong head-to-head record against England.
Main role Kadidiatou Diani (forward, Lyon)
Sweden
Sweden is a regular in the latter stages of major women’s tournaments and silver medalists at the past two Olympic Games. Sweden is a major player in global women’s football, finishing third at the 2023 World Cup.
They were completely undone by England at Bramall Lane in the 2022 European Championship semi-finals but remain a formidable team.
Surprisingly, the Swedes only finished third in their Nations League group last autumn, largely due to a costly away defeat to Switzerland – which is why they found themselves in Pot Three for the draw.
Main role Stina Blackstenius (forward, Arsenal)
republic of Ireland
The Irish are entering a new era under head coach Eileen Gleeson. She replaces Vera Pauw, whose four-year reign ended after last summer’s World Cup when the Republic of Ireland crashed out in the group stages.
In her six Nations League games in charge, Gleeson oversaw an impressive six wins from six in League B, earning promotion to League A for this latest cycle. They defeated Albania, Hungary and Northern Ireland twice each. However, they will go into this League A campaign as big underdogs against three of the top five teams in the world.
Main role Katie McCabe (left back/winger, Arsenal)
How does qualification work?
Three of the world’s top five ranked teams are in Group A3 – France (third), England (fourth) and Sweden (fifth), along with the Republic of Ireland (24th) – but only the top two teams are guaranteed automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament final in Switzerland.
However, England’s chances of qualifying for Euro 2025 – and defending the title – remain relatively good overall, as the new format means the third and fourth-placed teams in their group will take part in the play -offs as a backup route to the European Championships. reach the final.
The qualification process has been merged with the Women’s Nations League, which started in 2023. England are in League A and are therefore guaranteed to face strong teams in qualifying, while teams in Leagues B and C cannot automatically qualify for the European Championship and can only hope for play-off spots at best.
Latest news
By Rosina Butcher
England midfielder Grace Clinton is “excited to get started” as the Lionesses begin their Women’s European Championship qualifying campaign against Sweden at Wembley this week.
England have been drawn into Group A3, the toughest qualifying group, and will play two of the top five teams in the world over the next few years – France (third) and Sweden (fifth), along with the Republic of Ireland (24th). months.
The defending European champions kick off against Sweden on Friday evening and will face the Republic of Ireland four days later in Dublin. England next play France home and away in May.
Clinton, who is on loan from Manchester United to Tottenham, believes the team will have to be in “top form”.
“It’s a very competitive group, but that’s always going to happen when you’re in such a great tournament,” Clinton said.
“I think we’re all really excited to get started, to be honest and get going.
“Sweden is also a team with amazing depth and a very strong squad. They are very physical and quite direct and score goals. So we will have to be in top form if we want to get a result against such a team.”
Leah Williamson is aiming to make her international comeback in the coming matches after being out for nine months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Arsenal defender underwent an ‘individualized session’ on Tuesday and Clinton is looking forward to seeing her back on the pitch.
“It’s my first camp back with Leah and she’s one of the best in the sport, right? So it’s great to have her back,” she said.
Full qualifying draw
League A
Group A1: Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Finland
Group A2: Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic
Group A3: France, England, Sweden, Ireland
Group A4: Germany, Austria, Iceland, Poland
League B
Group B1: Switzerland, Hungary, Turkey, Azerbaijan
Group B2: Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Israel
Group B3: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Malta
Group B4: Wales, Croatia, Ukraine, Kosovo
League C
Group C1: Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus, Georgia
Group C2: Slovenia, Latvia, North Macedonia, Moldova
Group C3: Greece, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands
Group C4: Romania, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Armenia
Group C5: Albania, Estonia, Luxembourg
When will Euro 2025 take place?
The 16-team tournament runs from July 2 to 27, 2025.
Where will the 2025 tournament be held?
Switzerland is the host country after beating competition from Poland, France and jointly Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden.
Who are the defending champions?
England are the defending champions after lifting the trophy on home soil in 2022.