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Women's Euro 2025: Groups, fixture dates and who are favourites?

Women's Euro 2025: Groups, fixture dates and who are favourites?

BBC News5 hours ago

The countdown is on for Women's Euro 2025.Will Sarina Wiegman's side defend the title they won in 2022? Will Wales cause an upset as they make their debut in a major tournament?These are just two questions avid fans will have as the top European teams prepare for the finals in Switzerland.With the draw made and each team's potential route to glory established, BBC Sport provides the lowdown on all the key details for Women's Euro 2025.
When is Women's Euro 2025 taking place?
Held in Switzerland, the tournament will begin on Wednesday, 2 July.Rather than the custom of the host country beginning the tournament, the opening fixture will be between Iceland and Finland.Switzerland will play later that day at St Jakob-Park - the 35,689-seater home of FC Basel - where they will face Norway.The tournament will conclude with the final at the same stadium on Sunday, 27 July.This will be the first time Switzerland has organised a women's sporting event of this scale.
What are the groups for Euro 2025?
Group A: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland.Group B: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy.Group C: Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden.Group D: France, England, Wales, Netherlands.
Who are the favourites?
Opta's 'supercomputer' has calculated that Spain are the overwhelming favourites, with the world champions given a 25% chance of winning the tournament.England are ranked second, defending their title in 17% of simulations, while debutants Wales have been given a 0% chance of going all the way.
Where will England and Wales play?
England's group matches: 5 July v France in Zurich (20:00 BST), 9 July v Netherlands in Zurich (17:00 BST), 13 July v Wales in St Gallen (20:00 BST).Wales' group matches: 5 July v Netherlands in Lucerne (17:00 BST), 9 July v France in St Gallen (20:00 BST), 13 July v England in St Gallen (20:00 BST).
Who is in the England squad?
England's squad for Switzerland contains 13 players that were part of their triumphant Euros pool on home soil in 2022.The Lionesses are, however, without some big names.Goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her retirement from international football just five weeks before the start of the tournament, with Fran Kirby following suit.Key defender Millie Bright is also missing, having made herself unavailable by saying she is unable to "give 100% mentally or physically".Chelsea forward Lauren James has been selected despite not playing since April - but teenager Michelle Agyemang is an exciting addition.
Who is in the Wales squad?
Sophie Ingle was the surprise inclusion in Rhian Wilkinson's squad. The 33-year-old midfielder did not play a single game for Chelsea last season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September, but the Wales manager said Ingle was "in a position to contribute".Angharad James will captain the squad, which includes her Seattle Reign midfield team-mate Jess Fishlock - Wales' record cap-holder and goalscorer.Veteran forward Kayleigh Barton, 37, was picked despite ending her playing career at Charlton Athletic earlier in June to take on a head coach role at Saltdean United.However, ACL injuries have deprived Wilkinson of three players, with Mayzee Davies, Megan Wynne and Laura O'Sullivan all missing.
Who could England & Wales play in knockouts?
The top two teams from each of the four groups go through to the quarter-finals.If England or Wales win Group D, they will play the runner-up of Group C, which contains Germany, Poland, Denmark and Sweden.The runner-up from Group D will play the winner of Group C.
Who are the form teams?
Spain and Germany were the first teams, after hosts Switzerland, to qualify for the tournament - doing so in June 2024 after losing just one game each.Germany, Sweden and debutants Poland will feel confident arriving in Switzerland, boasting an unbeaten record in 2025.England, meanwhile, have struggled for the same consistency this year. The Lionesses hit six past Portugal earlier this month, but they were beaten by both Spain and Belgium.Wales have yet to win a game in 2025, but Wilkinson's side have been difficult to beat and have claimed two impressive draws against higher-ranked Sweden.
Which stars will miss Euro 2025?
Real Madrid's Caroline Weir and Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert will play no part in the competition because Scotland failed to qualify.Scotland, who played in the 2017 edition, lost to Finland in the second round of the play-offs to miss this year's championship.Arsenal left-back Katie McCabe also misses out because the Republic of Ireland, who are yet to appear at a Women's European Championship, were beaten by Wales in the play-offs.Germany's Lena Oberdorf, who was named young player of the tournament at Euro 2022, misses out because of an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.Hosts Switzerland, meanwhile, will be without star striker Ramona Bachmann after the 34-year-old suffered the same injury in training earlier this month.
How can I watch Euro 2025?
Every match of the tournament, which begins on 2 July, will be shown in the UK on either the BBC or ITV, with the final on 27 July available on both channels.Alongside live TV coverage and highlights across the BBC and iPlayer, radio commentary will also be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra.
Which stadiums are hosting the matches?
As mentioned already, St Jakob-Park will be seen throughout the tournament but there are eight host cities in total, including Zurich and Geneva.Basel: St Jakob-Park (35,689)Bern: Stadion Wankdorf (32,997)Geneva: Stade de Geneve (30,950)Zurich: Stadion Letzigrund (24,186)St Gallen: Arena St Gallen (18,251)Lucerne: Allmend Stadion Luzern (16,496)Sion: Stade de Tourbillon (9,570)Thun: Arena Thun (10,187)
How many tickets have been sold?
Euro 2025 tickets have been on sale since October 2024.More than 570,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament, which has a 673,000-capacity. Euro 2022 holds the overall tournament attendance record, with 574,875 attending the 31 matches in England - an average of 18,544 per game.Uefa said most matches were sold out, while the largest number of tickets have been sold in Switzerland, followed by Germany and England.
Fixtures and results
All of the fixtures and results from Switzerland, along with the path to the final, can be viewed on BBC Sport's dedicated Uefa Women's Euro 2025 Schedule page.

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