England’s path to defending their UEFA Women’s Euro title in 2025 has been set after the group stage draw revealed a challenging set of opponents. The Lionesses, reigning champions after their triumphant 2022 victory at Wembley, will have their work cut out in the upcoming tournament, which will be held in Switzerland next summer.
In what promises to be a thrilling competition, Sarina Wiegman’s side has been drawn into Group D, where they will face France, the Netherlands, and Wales. The draw, which took place on Monday evening in Lausanne, has set up a series of mouth-watering matchups, including a clash with 2019 World Cup finalists France and a rematch with the Netherlands, who were runners-up in Euro 2017.
Euro 2025: Group Stages and Key Dates
The tournament will run from July 2 to July 27, 2025, with the group stage beginning on July 5, and the final scheduled for July 27 in Basel. England, who won the 2022 Euros after defeating Germany in the final, will be looking to add another major trophy to their collection and defend their title, but they will face tough competition in Group D. The Netherlands, who finished runners-up in 2017, and France, who are consistently among Europe’s best, will provide stern challenges.
The competition is expected to be fierce, with only the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage, which begins on July 16, 2025. The knockout rounds will ultimately culminate in the final in Basel, where the champions of Europe will be crowned.
England’s Euro 2025 Group and Fixtures
England’s group stage opponents have been confirmed, and here’s how their schedule looks:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Switzerland (Host), Norway, Iceland, Finland |
| B | Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy |
| C | Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden |
| D | France, England, Wales, Netherlands |
England’s Group D Fixtures
England’s group stage matches will see them face off against some of Europe’s top sides, and here are the dates and venues for their fixtures:
- France vs England – 5 July 2025, 8:00 PM (Zurich)
- England vs Netherlands – 9 July 2025, 5:00 PM (Zurich)
- England vs Wales – 13 July 2025, 8:00 PM (St. Gallen)
Potential Path to the Knockouts
After the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, which are scheduled to start on July 16, 2025. England’s progression to the knockout stages will depend on their performance in the group stage, with the possibility of either topping their group or finishing second. Based on where they finish, the potential quarter-final matchups for England are as follows:
Quarter-final Opponents:
- QF3: Winner of Group C vs Runner-up of Group D – 17 July 2025 (Zurich)
- QF4: Winner of Group D vs Runner-up of Group C – 19 July 2025 (Basel)
From there, England’s journey could take them to the semi-finals, depending on their results.
Semi-final Matchups:
- SF1: Winner of QF3 vs Winner of QF1 – 22 July 2025 (Geneva)
- SF2: Winner of QF4 vs Winner of QF2 – 23 July 2025 (Zurich)
Euro 2025 Final:
- Winner of SF1 vs Winner of SF2 – 27 July 2025 (Basel)
Wiegman’s Challenge: Defending the Title
Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses’ head coach, knows what it takes to win the Euro tournament. Having led the Netherlands to victory in 2017, Wiegman will be aiming to repeat her success, but with an added challenge of managing a squad that is now the reigning European champions. England will head into the tournament as one of the favourites to win, but they face a tough road ahead, with some of the continent’s top footballing nations in their group.
France, one of England’s key competitors, are always a formidable side and will present a huge test for the Lionesses in their opening match. The French team has often been one of the best in Europe, and their wealth of talent will ensure they are a strong contender for the title. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will be eager to improve on their runner-up finish in 2017, and Wales will be looking to prove their mettle against the best in Europe.
Key Players to Watch
England’s squad will boast several star players, including the likes of Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby, and Alessia Russo, who have all been key to the Lionesses’ success in recent years. Wiegman will need her players to be at their best to navigate what is one of the toughest groups in the competition.
The return of key players from injury, such as Beth Mead, could also make a significant difference in England’s bid to retain their title. The Lionesses will be hoping that these top players can come into form just in time for the competition, helping them through what promises to be a very challenging group stage.
The Road to Basel
As defending champions, England will be under significant pressure, but they will also carry the confidence of their recent successes. The Lionesses have become a major force in women’s football, and with the experience of the 2022 European Championship win and a highly talented squad, they will be looking to create history once again by defending their title.
The competition will be fierce, but England have the ability and depth to go all the way, provided they perform at their best. The tournament will begin on July 5, 2025, with England’s opening match against France in Zurich – a game that could set the tone for what promises to be a memorable summer of women’s football.
