The countdown to subsequent summer season’s Euro 2025 has formally begun, with the match draw revealing the trail to glory for the 16 nations competing in Switzerland for the celebrated title of European champions.
In the historical past of the competitors relationship again to 1982, solely 5 nations have claimed the trophy. Sweden, the Netherlands and England have every gained as soon as — the latter two below the steerage of Sarina Wiegman. Norway has earned the title twice, whereas Germany has dominated with eight victories.
The Lionesses made historical past on dwelling soil in 2022, claiming their first main silverware with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, reigning world champions Spain, contemporary off their conquer England within the 2023 World Cup ultimate, are sturdy contenders to safe their first European title this summer season.
The stakes are increased than ever, with prize cash for Euro 2025 greater than doubling in contrast with the earlier version. The 16 groups will share €41 million ($43 million), with every federation receiving at the least €1.8m and required to allocate at the least 30% to gamers. The eventual champions stand to earn as much as €5.1m.
The match will run July 2-27, promising an exhilarating month of soccer as Europe’s finest battle for supremacy, and there are many storylines ready to be written and surprises in retailer. How will all of it form up? Emily Keogh has made a speedy evaluation of the teams to foretell how Euro 2025 will play out.
Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland
Host nation Switzerland will probably be aiming to interrupt their sample of failing to succeed in the quarterfinals of a significant match on dwelling soil.
With the Netherlands’ 2017 victory and England’s 2022 triumph of their dwelling international locations as inspiration, Switzerland hope the sample will repeat in 2025. However, to succeed in that stage, they need to overcome Norway, a staff with wealthy historical past, together with world, European and Olympic titles. Though Norway has struggled lately, star gamers reminiscent of Guro Reiten, Frida Maanum, Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen will probably be decided to return to glory.
Finland and Iceland, each veterans of the Euros, may even be keen to enhance their information. Finland reached the semifinals in 2005, however has struggled to progress past the group stage since. Iceland, persistently showing within the Euros since 2007, has solely made it previous the group stage as soon as. Both groups will probably be pushed to raised their performances on the grand stage.
Overall, it is a powerful group to name with all 4 groups in related positions on area and off it.
MUST-SEE MATCH: Switzerland vs. Norway, July 2
Norway and Switzerland aren’t any strangers to sharing the highlight on the worldwide stage, having been drawn collectively in the identical group on the 2023 World Cup as effectively. Their earlier encounter resulted in a 0-0 stalemate, however the stakes are increased right here as they kick off the 2025 Euros in what guarantees to be an exhilarating opener. With passionate fan bases and an electrical environment, this conflict is ready to be one of many match’s standout moments.
UEFA has dedicated to creating this version of the Women’s Euros essentially the most memorable but and with over 700,000 tickets projected to promote, the match is predicted to shatter attendance information. Additionally, an enormous digital viewers is anticipated, with over 500 million on-line views forecasted, making it the most-watched Women’s Euros in historical past. UEFA additionally guarantees to match the boys’s Euros by way of amenities, expertise, and analytical assist, elevating the match’s general high quality and professionalism.
The opening sport will set the tone for what’s shaping as much as be a landmark occasion in ladies’s soccer. With Norway’s attacking aptitude and Switzerland’s dwelling benefit, followers can count on an unforgettable begin to a contest that goals to redefine the requirements of the sport.
X FACTOR: Switzerland’s younger stars
With the 2025 Euros going down on dwelling soil, the Swiss nationwide staff is poised to highlight its thrilling younger expertise on the European stage. This match affords a golden alternative for Switzerland’s subsequent technology to shine in opposition to a few of the continent’s most star-studded lineups.
The squad boasts a wealth of youthful promise, with gamers desperate to make their mark. Among them is 18-year-old Noemi Ivelj, Barcelona‘s 17-year-old prodigy Sydney Schertenleib, Young Boys’ rising star Iman Beney, additionally 18, and 20-year-old Smilla Vallotto. These gamers are usually not solely the way forward for Swiss soccer, but additionally key figures within the staff’s fast ambitions.
Switzerland’s objective is obvious: advance past the group stage and make a deep run into the knockout rounds. With dwelling assist and a mix of youthful exuberance and dedication, these rising stars have the potential to etch their names in historical past and elevate Swiss soccer on the worldwide stage. The Euros will probably be a defining second for each the staff and its vivid younger core, providing an unimaginable probability for them to show they belong amongst Europe’s elite.
PREDICTED FINISH: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy
World Champions Spain are eyeing their third main trophy in a row, hoping so as to add the 2025 Euros to their 2023 World Cup and 2024 Nations League titles. Few groups can match their formidable kind for the reason that World Cup, following a disappointing 2022 Euros that sparked a revolution each on and off the pitch.
Italy, desperate to regain their standing as a European powerhouse, will look to construct on latest progress after struggling lately to beat higher-ranked opponents. Meanwhile, each Belgium and Portugal have featured in simply two of the final Euros: the previous reached the quarterfinals in 2022 whereas Portugal, debuting on the 2023 World Cup, has but to progress previous the group stage. But each nations have confirmed they’ll overcome powerful challenges to make it to the upcoming match, making them each darkish horses to observe on this Euros.
MUST-SEE MATCH: Spain vs. Italy, July 11
With Spain, Belgium and Portugal already set to face one another within the Nations League group stage forward of the summer season match, anticipation for these matchups is comparatively muted. However, Spain’s conflict with Italy guarantees to be an exhilarating encounter for followers, whether or not impartial or partisan.
Italy, as soon as a dominant power in ladies’s soccer and runners-up on the Euros in 1993 and 1997, have struggled to maintain tempo lately. Despite this, video games between Spain and Italy have persistently been tightly contested. Their latest historical past features a 1-1 draw and three slim victories for Spain (1-0 and 3-2) throughout their 2023 clashes, underlining how evenly matched these groups will be.
For the Azzurre, this sport presents extra than simply a chance to check themselves in opposition to the reigning world champions; it is an opportunity to reclaim their fame as severe contenders on the European stage. If any staff is poised to unsettle Spain and probably steal factors, it is Italy, who will probably be decided to ship an announcement efficiency and have the final snigger on this engaging showdown.
X FACTOR: Can Spain make it 3-for-3?
After profitable the 2023 World Cup and the inaugural Nations League, Spain have established themselves because the staff to beat in ladies’s soccer. The European Championship stays the one main title lacking from their assortment, and so they’ll be decided to finish the set. With Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas spearheading a squad stacked with expertise, Spain are well-positioned so as to add the Euros to their rising checklist of honours. Few groups seem able to stopping them from reaching the ultimate — if not lifting the trophy outright.
The upcoming Nations League will function splendid preparation, with Spain set to face group stage rivals Portugal and Belgium twice forward of the match in addition to reigning European champions England. These matchups will enable Spain to fine-tune their strategy and reinforce their dominance in a difficult group.
For the remainder of Europe, halting Spain’s momentum would require nothing wanting a monumental effort. With a roster brimming with world-class gamers and a profitable mentality, it is going to take one other powerhouse to disrupt Spain’s march towards what could possibly be their first European title.
PREDICTED FINISH: Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal
Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden
Germany, as soon as a dominant power in European soccer, is rebuilding below new supervisor Christian Wück. He led Germany to an exhilarating 4-3 victory over reigning European champions England at Wembley in his first match in cost, with the guests scoring three objectives within the opening half-hour. If they’ll proceed their progress and fill the hole left by the retirement of prolific striker Alex Popp, Germany could possibly be a powerful contender to succeed in the ultimate.
Denmark, with prime scorer Pernille Harder again in competition, will pose a tricky problem for Germany whereas Sweden, one other former European powerhouse, may even be desperate to cease their progress as they appear to bounce again from a number of years of underperformance. Poland, debuting of their first main match, could possibly be the match’s underdog, with loads of alternatives to shock their rivals and snatch beneficial factors.
MUST-SEE MATCH: Germany vs. Sweden, July 12
Two former champions conflict in what guarantees to be an exhilarating encounter. In their final 4 conferences since 2017, the groups have drawn 0-0 twice, with Germany edging a 1-0 win on the Algarve Cup and Sweden claiming a 2-1 victory within the 2019 World Cup semifinals.
Both sides are in a transitional part, coping with the retirements of key gamers whereas integrating contemporary expertise forward of the match. Injuries have additionally disrupted their rhythm, resulting in surprising outcomes and heavy squad rotations, with each constructive and detrimental outcomes.
Germany, having crashed out of the World Cup within the group stage, may have lots to show, whereas Sweden have struggled within the Nations League and Euros qualifiers, battling relegation and playoff matches to safe their spot regardless of reaching the World Cup semifinals in 2023. This makes for an intriguing showdown.
X FACTOR: Ewa Pajor lastly at a significant match
For the primary time in historical past, Poland has certified for a significant match, making their debut on the 2025 Euros after years of falling quick in Olympic, World Cup and Euros qualifiers. This milestone is just not solely a testomony to the staff’s perseverance, however can also be a momentous event for Ewa Pajor, a striker who has lengthy been one among Europe’s most underrated abilities because of her nationwide staff’s struggles on the worldwide stage.
Pajor’s accolades converse for themselves. After spending 9 prolific seasons with Wolfsburg, the place she scored an astonishing 136 objectives in 196 appearances — together with 18 within the Champions League — the 28-year-old secured a transfer to European powerhouse Barcelona. A four-time Polish Women’s Footballer of the Year, Pajor has persistently carried out on the highest degree however has lacked the platform to shine internationally — till now.
Finally, Pajor will get the prospect to show her medical ending and attacking prowess on one among soccer’s grandest levels. For Poland, it is a breakthrough second; for Pajor, it is the long-awaited alternative to show she belongs amongst Europe’s elite and go away her mark on the match.
PREDICTED FINISH: Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland
France, England, Wales, Netherlands
The Lionesses embark on their first marketing campaign as reigning champions, having claimed the 2022 Euros crown at Wembley Stadium. This match marks a historic second as England defend their title for the primary time, stepping right into a difficult group with the load of expectation on their shoulders.
Despite reaching the 2023 World Cup ultimate, accidents plagued the squad since, and the next Nations League and Euros qualifiers introduced related struggles. Right now, head coach Sarina Wiegman faces health considerations for key gamers Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Ella Toone. However, the quartet is predicted to recuperate in time for the match’s kickoff in July.
Their group guarantees high-stakes drama, too. Former champions the Netherlands are decided to reclaim their standing, whereas France, boasting immense expertise, will look to interrupt their streak of falling quick in main tournaments. These groups aren’t any strangers, having clashed in latest Nations League and Euros qualifiers, however France and the Netherlands have not confronted one another since 2022 — each squads having advanced considerably since then.
Meanwhile, debutants Wales are the group underdogs, ranked thirtieth globally in contrast with their top-10 group opponents. The matchup between Wales and England provides a layer of intrigue, reigniting historic rivalries as the 2 nations face off on a significant worldwide stage in Switzerland.
MUST-SEE MATCH: England vs. Netherlands, July 9
It’s the Sarina Wiegman derby on the European stage! While Wiegman already confronted her former staff with England in final season’s Nations League, their showdown on the Euros carries a completely completely different degree of significance.
Having guided the Netherlands to victory on the 2017 Euros and England to their historic triumph in 2022, Wiegman is not any stranger to rewriting the document books. Now, the 2 most up-to-date champions have been drawn in the identical group, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict that guarantees to ship drama and pleasure.
This matchup is a battle for supremacy with either side desperate to show their dominance. It’s the proper showcase for the 2025 Euros. Expect fireworks, ardour, and a spectacle that may spotlight why this match is the top of European soccer.
X FACTOR: Wales’ debut
Wales have made historical past by qualifying for his or her first main match, breaking a streak of close to misses in latest campaigns. Manager Rhian Wilkinson hailed the achievement as a “technology of soccer that is going to alter all the things,” reflecting on the staff’s spectacular run within the qualifiers.
The journey hasn’t been simple. Wales fell quick within the playoffs for the 2023 World Cup, dropping to Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland. They additionally narrowly missed out on the playoffs for the earlier Euros, edged out by Northern Ireland on head-to-head outcomes.
As the lowest-ranked staff (No. 30, per FIFA) within the match, Wales face a frightening problem, however their resilience and dedication counsel they’re able to defying expectations. Their tenacity mirrors the inspiring performances of underdog groups reminiscent of Colombia and Morocco on the 2023 World Cup, who proved that rankings do not all the time dictate outcomes.
With their place within the historical past books already secured, Wales now have the chance to make an excellent greater assertion. A powerful Nations League marketing campaign within the lead-up to the Euros may present the proper basis for one more historic chapter. Come July, the stage is ready for Wales to seize the highlight and show that they belong amongst Europe’s elite.
