Euro 2025: England and Wales in Group of Death with France and Netherlands

The draw for the Women’s Euro 2025 has thrown up a challenging Group D for England and Wales, pitting them against European heavyweights France and the Netherlands.

The tournament, set to take place in Switzerland, promises a blend of fierce competition and logistical challenges, particularly with ticketing and stadium capacities.

The Draw in Full:

Group A: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland
Group B: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy
Group C: Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden
Group D: France, England, Wales, Netherlands

This year’s group stage highlights some intriguing matchups, including Arsenal teammates facing off. Switzerland’s Lia Wälti and Norway’s Frida Maanum will clash in Group A, while England’s Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, and Lotte Wubben-Moy could meet Daphne van Domselaar and Victoria Pelova of the Netherlands, depending on the latter’s fitness.

The Full Fixtures (CET):

Wednesday 2 July
Group A: Iceland vs Finland (18:00, Thun)
Group A: Switzerland vs Norway (21:00, Basel)

Thursday 3 July
Group B: Belgium vs Italy (18:00, Sion)
Group B: Spain vs Portugal (21:00, Bern)

Friday 4 July
Group C: Denmark vs Sweden (18:00, Geneva)
Group C: Germany vs Poland (21:00, St.Gallen)

Saturday 5 July
Group D: Wales vs Netherlands (18:00, Lucerne)
Group D: France vs England (21:00, Zurich)

Sunday 6 July
Group A: Norway vs Finland (18:00, Sion)
Group A: Switzerland vs Iceland (21:00, Bern)

Monday 7 July
Group B: Spain vs Belgium (18:00, Thun)
Group B: Portugal vs Italy (21:00, Geneva)

Tuesday 8 July
Group C: Germany vs Denmark (18:00, Basel)
Group C: Poland vs Sweden (21:00, Lucerne)

Wednesday 9 July
Group D: England vs Netherlands (18:00, Zurich)
Group D: France vs Wales (21:00, St.Gallen)

Thursday 10 July
Group A: Finland vs Switzerland (21:00, Geneva)
Group A: Norway vs Iceland (21:00, Thun)

Friday 11 July
Group B: Italy vs Spain (21:00, Bern)
Group B: Portugal vs Belgium (21:00, Sion)

Saturday 12 July
Group C: Sweden vs Germany (21:00, Zurich)
Group C: Poland vs Denmark (21:00, Lucerne)

Sunday 13 July
Group D: Netherlands vs France (21:00, Basel)
Group D: England vs Wales (21:00, St.Gallen)

As with any major tournament, ticket demand has outpaced supply for marquee matches like the final and semi-finals. Fans have voiced frustrations, particularly in England, over the limited capacities of some stadiums. However, the logistical realities of planning a multi-nation event complicate these matters.

UEFA’s decision-making is shaped by several factors, including the anticipated fan presence for each team. While nations like England and the Netherlands are known for their traveling support, other teams, such as France, historically bring fewer fans. Additionally, predicting the turnout for debutants like Wales and Poland is difficult, given their limited tournament experience.

The surge in interest in women’s football over the past five years highlights both progress and challenges. Planning stadium sizes to balance anticipated fan presence and the sport’s evolving popularity is increasingly difficult. While larger venues for every game might seem ideal, it would risk under-filling matches with less demand, creating a logistical and atmospheric challenge.

Euro 2025 is poised to be another milestone in women’s football, with intense rivalries and increased fan interest showcasing the sport’s growth. For England and Wales, Group D promises a steep challenge, but their performances will undoubtedly contribute to the tournament’s narrative.

While ticketing frustrations remain, the broader success of the competition underscores the strides made in elevating women’s football on the global stage.