The 2025 UEFA Ladies’s Euro kicks off in Switzerland with 16 of the continent’s greatest groups. Reigning Euro champions England can have a goal on their again, and Spain enter the competitors as a co-favorite to compete for the title. Different European powerhouses, Germany, France, and Sweden, face comparable challenges from rising groups, and something can occur in event soccer.
There’s loads of debate on which groups are favorites, darkish horses, or lengthy pictures, however issues will shake out as soon as the whistle blows for the group stage. Latest kind, squad depth, and extra will decide who will find yourself the best in Europe. Here is how I believe the 16 groups stack up for now:
1. England
Led by head coach Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses are defending champions and have earned the respect of being the top-ranked staff to start the event. Regardless of the worldwide retirements of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, and the withdrawal of Millie Vivid, there’s nonetheless loads of holdovers from the 2022 championship-winning aspect to make one other deep run within the event. There are query marks across the goalkeeping place, however that is simply a possibility for Hannah Hampton to shine.
2. Spain
The 2023 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup winners are favorites to rival England for the title. Boasting the world’s greatest midfield with Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, Spain mix technical dominance and relentless attacking fluidity. Nonetheless, Bonmati’s medical situation (recovering from meningitis) presents a query mark for her availability within the group stage, together with goalkeeper Cata Coll, who’s battling tonsillitis. Maybe that is the event Claudia Pina is a starter as an alternative of an affect sub.
3. Germany
Complicating issues amongst event favorites are Germany. The runners-up in 2022, and bronze medalists on the 2024 Olympics, are in largely strong kind coming into the event. They’re with out Lena Oberdorf attributable to harm, and Alex Popp has retired, however a rebuilt assault that includes Lea Schuller and dynamic wingers has terrorized defenses, and so they’ll be a tough opponent all through.
4. Sweden
Without end a perennial event menace, Sweden are nonetheless intimidating foes even with some harm considerations. An ankle harm that has sidelined Fridolina Rolfo for not less than the primary group match is a serious loss, as is the absence of future star Rosa Kafaji, and goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who’s on go away whereas pregnant. The group has loads of depth throughout the roster, and Stina Blackstenius is recent off successful the Champions League and scoring the successful purpose.
5. France
One merely cannot not be wowed by electrifying play from Kadidiatou Diani and Marie Antoinette Katoto, and Sandy Baltimore and Salma Bacha are counterattacking beasts. They’re going to maintain France a menace all through the competitors, however France’s “event mentality” has lengthy haunted them, and it would not appear to be they’ve shaken off the narrative with out veterans Wendie Renard or Eugenie Le Sommer omitted from the roster.
6. Netherlands
Champions within the 2017 Euro, the Dutch have since seen a slight decline amongst different prime groups on this planet. Whereas they will at all times have 2017, there’s nearly an excessive amount of uncertainty round current kind and beginning gamers that they do not fairly slot in with the favorites, and so they’re too good to be thought of darkish horses. Vivianne Miedema has shaken off any health uncertainty in current Euro tuneups, whereas Lineth Beerensteyn stays a query mark.
7. Norway
There isn’t any method an assault that consists of Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen, and Guro Reiten is exterior the highest 5 of the rankings, however right here we’re. Whereas their offense can rival any in Europe with set-piece capacity and explosive transition, this group has a historical past of persistent underperformance in main worldwide tournaments.
8. Italy
Typically you need to have your attain for the stars choose, so congrats to Italy being agency in the course of the pack. They’ve sufficient tactical flexibility, and with veteran Cristiana Girelli’s expertise, the group might do sufficient shape-shifting to current the correct amount of chaos in matches. They’re going to be with out Giulia Dragoni and can miss her creativity, however Cecilia Salvai could possibly be one other reply within the midfield.
9. Denmark
The Danish rally round Pernille Tougher’s elite attacking abilities, and the group excels at fast transitions and crossing, with power on the backline boosted by NWSL defender Isabella Obaze. However like every staff, an excessive amount of over-reliance on one participant can result in catastrophe, and Denmark’s turnovers in slower play might hang-out them.
10. Iceland
The group is usually organized and stingy on protection. Led by Glódís Viggósdóttir, the centerback has needed to handle a lingering harm since Could, and the group has struggled to transform shut matches into assured wins. Ahead Sveindís Jónsdóttir is a brilliant spot within the assault and on lengthy throws, but when they attain the knockouts, they may run into severe bother.
11. Belgium
Severe long-shot power in Belgium. They’re in a tough group, with Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and so they’ll must embrace the strain that comes with a giant event. They may rely upon staff captain Tessa Wullaert in counterattacks, whereas younger midfielder Marie Detruyer pulls the strings.
12. Switzerland
It is a pure intuition to imagine {that a} dwelling nation will do properly within the event they’re internet hosting, particularly after they have a younger, up-and-coming prospect to root for in 18-year-old ahead Sydney Schertenleib. If she has a breakout efficiency, it might rally the squad and nation, however dropping a number of gamers to ligament tears forward of the event would possibly point out a tough begin.
13. Portugal
The group had 4 consecutive Nations League losses and held their breath at the potential for not having Kika Nazareth out there. Event soccer offers a recent begin, and Portugal have confirmed they’re a tough aspect throughout high-stakes competitors, and Nazareth’s return from harm simply is perhaps the hope that modifications issues for Portugal together with her aptitude on the pitch.
14. Poland
Poland are making their debut within the event and might be fueled by ahead Ewa Pajor. The striker is undoubtedly one of many world’s greatest in entrance of purpose as she racked up 25 objectives for Barcelona, and a rising profile with Paulina Tomasiak in tow might imply that over-reliance on one participant won’t be such a difficulty, however their very restricted event expertise could possibly be a troublesome hurdle.
15. Wales
The debutants are right here with nothing to lose and all the things to realize as they step into the Euros with an unshakeable perception. Led by staff captain Angharad James, she has credited the mentality shift to go coach Rhian Wilkinson, and squad veteran Jess Fishlock has echoed the feelings. If Sophie Ingel’s return from harm is, the truth is, able to be examined on the pitch, the Welsh Dragons might shock some.
16. Finland
The group is not any stranger to being disciplined in protection and using set items or counterattacks to shake up video games, however there are query marks round lingering accidents to defensive star Natalia Kuikka, who has restricted minutes attributable to her harm administration. No Elli Pikkujämsä on the backline or Jutta Rantala in assault simply presents extra challenges to staff chemistry, and because the event kicks off.
