England will face France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in a tough Women’s Euro 2025 qualification group following Tuesday’s draw in Nyon.
The Lionesses won the first major trophy in their history on home soil at the delayed Euro 2022, beating Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium courtesy of Chloe Kelly’s extra-time goal.
After finishing as runners-up at last year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, they will again be among the favourites for the next tournament in Switzerland, which begins on July 2, 2025.
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To reach the tournament, England must first navigate a four-team qualification group.
England qualified for League A of the process through their performances in the 2023-24 edition of the Women’s Nations League, meaning the top two teams in their group will qualify automatically, with the bottom two entering the play-offs.
The Lionesses were placed in pot two for the draw, landing France – who lost to Spain in the Nations League final only last week – from pot one.
They are not the only tough opponents awaiting Wiegman’s team, however, with World Cup bronze medallists Sweden also joining them in Group A3.
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The #WEURO2025 qualifying draw has been made! pic.twitter.com/J34IwDHmOL
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) March 5, 2024
Sweden have reached at least the semi-finals at six of the last eight editions of the Women’s Euros, though they were thrashed 4-0 by England in the last four in 2022.
The Republic of Ireland, who went out in the group stage at last year’s World Cup on their major tournament debut, will be England’s final opponent, with the qualification process set to begin next month.
Elsewhere, world champions Spain were drawn alongside Denmark, Belgium and the Czech Republic in Group A2, while Germany will face Austria, Iceland and Poland in Group A4.
League A ✅
Most exciting group = ______ ????#WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/0Fyec9lc1R
— UEFA Women’s EURO (@WEURO) March 5, 2024
