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Metro
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
When is the next Women's World Cup and where is it being held?
England are celebrating becoming back-to-back European champions after beating Spain in the Euro 2025 final. The Lionesses have enjoyed an open-top bus parade in London, with thousands of supporters lining The Mall to welcome home their heroes. But already, attention is turning to the next tournament: the World Cup. The Lionesses came so close to winning the biggest trophy in football in 2023, losing in the final to Spain. Victory in Switzerland will give them renewed hope that they can go one better next time. Here's everything you need to know about the next Women's World Cup, including when and where it's taking place: The Women's World Cup is held every four years, with the next tournament to take place in 2027. It is currently slated to begin on June 24, with the final a month later on July 25. Brazil will host the 2027 Women's World Cup, the first time the tournament will be held in South America. They won the hosting rights after beating a joint-bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Eight venues in as many cities will be used, the largest of which is the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro with a capacity of 73,139. We also know the hosts for the following two editions of the Women's World Cup, with the competition heading to the USA and Mexico in 2031. Then in 2035, football comes home to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. While not official yet, the UK was the only country to submit a valid bid to host the tournament. 32 teams will battle it out for glory at the 2027 Women's World Cup. As per usual, there will be eight groups of four teams, with the top two in each group progressing to the knockouts. This will be the last Women's World Cup to use this format, with the competition expanding to 48 teams for 2031. Hosts Brazil are the only team guaranteed to be at the next Women's World Cup at the moment, with qualifying to be done in two phases. More Trending Each confederation will have their own qualifying process, with England hoping to be among the 11 teams from Europe to make it. The best ranked teams who don't qualify from each confederation will however get a second chance at glory through the inter-confederation play-offs, which will take place just a few months before the tournament kicks-off. The draw for UEFA qualifying will take place on November 4, with the matches to be played from February to December 2026. Shortly after England's triumph at the Euros, Ian Wright named his favourite to win the 2027 World Cup. 'USA are the favourites, they're the ones to beat. They're so good, they're so good!' the Arsenal legend said on ITV. 'If we get anywhere near them I'd be really happy because they're the ones, they're major favourites. 'You can't ignore France either, they seem to be really close. 'Spain as well. If they can get that centre-forward to finish it off then Spain will be a problem.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: FA chief speaks out on Sarina Wiegman's England future beyond next World Cup MORE: Lionesses enjoy Downing Street reception as Euro 2025 celebrations continue MORE: Lioness hero reveals tragic loss two days before Euro 2025 with heart-breaking message
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ian Wright names England's key mistake in first half of Women's Euro 2025 final against Spain
Ian Wright criticised Lauren Hemp 's decision making after the winger missed a golden chance to give England the lead in the first half of their Euro 2025 final with Spain. Hemp found herself with the first clear sight of goal for either side after good work by Lauren James helped hurry Spanish goalkeeper Catalina Coll and turnover possession in the box. The 24-year-old Manchester City forward steadied herself before firing a low shot from a tight angle which Coll saved well with her left foot, when James had been waiting alongside Hemp with a far clearer sight of goal. And the miss proved costly, as Spain took the lead soon afterwards when Mariona Caldentey headed home in the 25th minute. Ona Batlle whipped in a cross from the right, after good work by Aitana Bonmati, and Caldentey steered it powerfully past a stranded Hannah Hampton in the England goal. Wright said it was a huge moment in the half. 'I think she has to pass that,' said Wright. 'If she does, [James] gets a tap-in. An unbelievable chance ... she has to cut that back to Lauren James.' Wright said England were 'off it' in the first period and lacked sharpness to match Spain.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Fans all switch over to ITV for Euro 2025 final after realising who pundits are for England vs Spain final
FOOTBALL fans have all been switching over their TVs for the Women's Euro 2025 final after learning who is working on ITV. England Women are taking on Spain for a chance at revenge for the 2023 Women's World Cup final. 2 2 Both BBC and ITV have been sharing the broadcasting rights for the tournament as Sarina Wiegman 's side scraped into the Basel showpiece final. However, for many fans it is ITV have won the battle of the broadcasters this time around after their stunning punditry and commentary line-up was revealed. ITV went with award-winning presenter Laura Woods for presenting duties. And they have teamed Woods up with a heavy-hitting trio, kicking off with Arsenal and England icon Ian Wright. With him they also fan-favourite Karen Carney and legendary former Chelsea Women's and current USWNT coach Emma Hayes. They then also have Seb Hutchinson and Lucy Ward in the commentary box. Meanwhile, BBC's studio coverage was being presented by Gabby Logan, with Alex Scott on touchline presenting duties. England greats Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Jill Scott were all on hand for expert analysis alongside Nedum Onuoha. Their commentary team for the final involved Robyn Cowen and former Lioness goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis. And despite their own impressive team, fans watching on the BBC voted with their remotes on who they thought was the best viewing experience. England fans gather at St Jakob Park stadium before Lionesses face Spain in Euro 2025 final One fan said: "Normally in finals BBC has the better coverage but just for Seb Hutchinson it's gotta be ITV." A second said: "I usually watch big finals on the BBC, but I prefer ITV's studio team." A third said: "Watching on ITV for Seb Hutchinson commentary." Another said: "Laura Woods presenting. Emma, Wrighty & Kaz punditry. Seb Hutchinson commentary. ITV definitely winning." A fifth added: "First time I've ever picked ITV over BBC for a final - Seb Hutchinson is top tier."
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
How Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly have exposed the big lie at the heart of football
At its best, sport delivers drama like nothing else. Unexpected twists, reversals of fortune, the upending of expectation: all of the playwright's principal weapons are on display on the cricket pitch, the rugby field or the athletics track. But the Lionesses seem to have embraced the dramatic with a gusto that few have matched before. Nothing comes easy for these English footballers. Everything is left to the last minute. For them, the straightforward is always to be spurned. And how we have embraced their approach. Eight million of us tuned in to ITV to watch them play Italy in the Euros semi-final last week. By the end, as Chloe Kelly once again delivered the coup de grace as she had three years ago when they won the tournament on home soil, the pundit Ian Wright was by no means alone in his vigorous celebratory cavort around the ITV studio: all eight million of us were leaping from our sofas as one, united in delighted relief. We all went doolally. But until that moment of nationwide release, how they toyed with our nerves, ratcheting up the tension at every turn. Up against a brave, resilient but far less talented Italian team, England's women first fell behind, then waited until the last possible moment to equalise through the substitute Michelle Agyemang, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes. Even Kelly's winner was not exactly uncomplicated: having seen her penalty brilliantly saved by the Italy goalkeeper, she was obliged to snaffle the rebound. Her celebration, miming that we should all just calm down, there was no need to panic, she was in control, was a lovely summation of the Lionesses' way: they get there in the end. It is almost as if Serena Wiegman and her team need to embrace jeopardy before they can express themselves. For so much of this Euros tournament, they have been off kilter, playing well below their potential. They are the holders, after all. In the quarter-final against Sweden, like Italy, another side with little of England's resources and financial backing, they had to turn things around after an abject start. Again, they needed Kelly and Agyemang to deliver a late rescue act from the bench. Even their one convincing win against Holland earlier in the tournament was the product of necessity: having lost their first group game to France, they had to win in order to avoid the ignominy of being the first holders ever to be ejected from the competition before the knockout rounds. Like their male counterparts in last summer's Euros, they may have stuttered and staggered along the way, drawing vituperative criticism for their tactics and the manager's selections, but they have made it to the final. As they have done so, they have once again refuted many of the wearisome, misogynistic prejudices that have for so long stalked women's sport in this country. And still do in Italy, where news of their women's defeat in the semi-final is down at the bottom of the front page of La Gazzetta dello Sport 's website, well below updates on the Italian Fantasy Football League. Sure, they may not be as quick or strong as the blokes, but that comparison is a pointless irrelevance when the drama they embrace is as intense as this. Like every drama, this one is all the more compelling because of the characters involved. Take 19-year-old churchgoer Agyemang, who has only ever played four times for her club Arsenal, yet across just 103 minutes on the pitch for her country has now scored three times. That is the kind of record that makes Erling Haaland look goal-shy. Then there's Lucy Bronze, the titan of a defender who defied age and injury to smash home the decisive penalty in the shootout against Sweden. Or Hannah Hampton, the smiling goalkeeper who proved with her magnificent save in extra time against Italy that she deserves to have usurped her predecessor, the stalwart Mary Earps. Maybe, after seeing her in action last night, Nike might feel it worth their while to market a Hampton replica shirt in the way they initially refused to do with Earps's piece of kit. The demand will, without question, be there. Every little girl watching her throw herself into action will want to pull on a Hampton jersey. And many a little boy too. And pay is still much lower than men's. While the Football Association agreed a record bonus package with England's Lionesses worth up to £1.7m if they retain their European Championship title this summer, Gareth Southgate's squad would have shared a bonus pot of about £9.6m had they won the European Championship final against Spain last summer. In total, England's women receive roughly one-fifth to one-tenth of what the men earn – largely due to smaller prize pots, less commercial revenue, and historical underinvestment – lest we forget, women's football was banned in England from 1921 to 1971 on FA pitches. But while this historical legacy has stunted institutional backing and funding, with rising fan support, this is changing. Because the Lionesses have become part of the national story. They may be paid less, but we are all invested, we are all committed, and we are all behind them. What they have proven is that, against apparent assumption, the English are quite good at things. Though for the collective nerve, it might be as well that in the final, they could simply score early and cut out all the concern. Just do it the easy way. With these women, however, you suspect that won't happen. These are, after all, queens of drama and in their play against Spain expect nothing less.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
How Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly exposed the big lie at the heart of football
At its best, sport delivers drama like nothing else. Unexpected twists, reversals of fortune, the upending of expectation: all of the playwright's principal weapons are on display on the cricket pitch, the rugby field or the athletics track. But the Lionesses seem to have embraced the dramatic with a gusto that few have matched before. Nothing comes easy for these English footballers. Everything is left to the last minute. For them, the straightforward is always to be spurned. And how we have embraced their approach. Eight million of us tuned in to ITV to watch them play Italy in the Euros semi-final last night. By the end, as Chloe Kelly once again delivered the coup de grace as she had three years ago when they won the tournament on home soil, the pundit Ian Wright was by no means alone in his vigorous celebratory cavort around the ITV studio: all eight million of us were leaping from our sofas as one, united in delighted relief. We all went doolally. But until that moment of nationwide release, how they toyed with our nerves, ratcheting up the tension at every turn. Up against a brave, resilient but far less talented Italian team, England's women first fell behind, then waited until the last possible moment to equalise through the substitute Michelle Agyemang, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes. Even Kelly's winner was not exactly uncomplicated: having seen her penalty brilliantly saved by the Italy goalkeeper, she was obliged to snaffle the rebound. Her celebration, miming that we should all just calm down, there was no need to panic, she was in control, was a lovely summation of the Lionesses' way: they get there in the end. It is almost as if Serena Wiegman and her team need to embrace jeopardy before they can express themselves. For so much of this Euros tournament, they have been off kilter, playing well below their potential. They are the holders, after all. In the quarter final against Sweden, like Italy, another side with little of England's resources and financial backing, they had to turn things around after an abject start. Again, they needed Kelly and Agyemang to deliver a late rescue act from the bench. Even their one convincing win against Holland earlier in the tournament was the product of necessity: having lost their first group game to France, they had to win in order to avoid the ignominy of being the first holders ever to be ejected from the competition before the knockout rounds. Like their male counterparts in last summer's Euros, they may have stuttered and staggered along the way, drawing vituperative criticism for their tactics and the manager's selections, but they have made it to the final. As they have done so, they have once again refuted many of the wearisome misogynistic prejudices that have for so long stalked women's sport in this country. And still do in Italy, where news of their women's defeat in the semi-final is down at the bottom of the front page of La Gazzetta dello Sport 's website, well below updates on the Italian Fantasy Football League. Sure, they may not be as quick or strong as the blokes, but that comparison is a pointless irrelevance when the drama they embrace is as intense as this. Like every drama, this one is all the more compelling because of the characters involved. Take 19-year-old churchgoer Agyemang, who has only ever played four times for her club Arsenal, yet across just 103 minutes of time on the pitch for her country has now scored three times. That is the kind of record that makes Erling Haaland look goal-shy. Then there's Lucy Bronze, the titan of a defender who defied age and injury to smash home the decisive penalty in the shootout against Sweden. Or Hannah Hampton, the smiling goalkeeper who proved with her magnificent save in extra time against Italy, that she deserves to have usurped her predecessor, the stalwart Mary Earps. Maybe, after seeing her in action last night, Nike might feel it worth their while to market a Hampton replica shirt in the way they initially refused to do with Earps's piece of kit. The demand will, without question, be there. Every little girl watching her throw herself into action will want to pull on a Hampton jersey. And many a little boy too. And pay is still much lower than men. While The Football Association agreed a record bonus package with England's Lionesses worth up to £1.7m if they retain their European Championship title this summer, Gareth Southgate's squad would have shared a bonus pot of about £9.6m had they won the European Championship final against Spain last summer. In total, England's women receive roughly one-fifth to one-tenth of what the men earn – largely due to smaller prize pots, less commercial revenue, and historical underinvestment – lest we forget women's football was banned in England from 1921 to 1971 on FA pitches. But while this historical legacy has stunted institutional backing and funding, with rising fan support, this is changing. Because the Lionesses have become part of the national story. They may be paid less, but we are all invested, we are all committed and we are all behind them. What they have proven is that, against apparent assumption, the English are quite good at things. Though for the collective nerve, it might be as well if, on Sunday, when they play the final, they could simply score early and cut out all the concern. Just do it the easy way. With these women, however, you suspect that won't happen. These are, after all, queens of drama.
