England face a tricky task to secure an automatic qualification spot for next year’s Women’s European Championship having been drawn in the toughest qualifying group.

Three of the world’s top-five ranked sides are in Group A3 – France (third), England (fourth) and Sweden (fifth), along with the Republic of Ireland (24th) – but only the top two sides will be guaranteed automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament finals in Switzerland.

England’s chances of qualifying for Euro 2025 – and defending the title – remain relatively strong overall, however, because the new format means the third- and fourth-placed teams in their group will take part in play-offs as the back-up route to reach the finals.

The qualification process has been merged with the Women’s Nations League, which began in 2023. England are in League A and therefore were guaranteed to face strong sides in qualifying, while teams in Leagues B and C cannot qualify for the Euros automatically and can only hope for play-off spots at best.

Who are England’s group opponents

France

Frequently tipped for greatness but so far proving to be perennial underachievers at major tournaments.

Managed by Hervé Renard, who famously oversaw Saudi Arabia’s shock victory against Argentina at the men’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they reached the quarter-finals at the Women’s World Cup last year but lost on penalties to co-hosts Australia. France were also the runners-up in the inaugural Women’s Nations League last month.

They have a team littered with stars from Paris St-Germain and the record eight-times Women’s Champions League winners Lyon, and have a strong head-to-head record against England historically.

Key player Kadidiatou Diani (forward, Lyon)

Sweden

Regulars in the latter stages of major women’s tournaments and silver medallists at the past two Olympic Games, Sweden are a giant presence in global women’s football and finished third at 2023’s World Cup.

They were comprehensively undone by England at Bramall Lane in the Euros semi-finals in 2022 but remain a formidable team.

The Swedes, surprisingly, only finished third in their Nations League group last autumn, largely because of a costly away defeat against Switzerland – and that is why they found themselves in Pot Three for the draw.

Key player Stina Blackstenius (striker, Arsenal)

Republic of Ireland

The Irish are entering a new era under head coach Eileen Gleeson. She has replaced Vera Pauw, whose four-year reign ended after last summer’s World Cup when the Republic of Ireland went out in the group stages.

In her six Nations League matches in charge, Gleeson oversaw an impressive six wins from six in League B to earn promotion to League A for this latest cycle. That saw them beat Albania, Hungary and Northern Ireland twice each. However, they will go into this League A campaign as major underdogs against three of the world’s top five-ranked sides.

Key player Katie McCabe (left-back/winger, Arsenal)

When will the qualifiers be played?

England will face each of France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland home and away, across three international windows over the next four-and-a-half months.

The sides who finish outside of the top two and therefore do not qualify automatically will contest play-offs over two rounds of two-legged ties across two windows in the autumn of 2024.

Key dates

April 1-10

Window for two Euro 2025 qualifiers

May 27-June 5

Window for two Euro 2025 qualifiers

July 8-16

Window for two Euro 2025 qualifiers

Oct 21-29

Either Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs (if needed) or friendlies

Nov 25-Dec 3

Either Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs final round (if needed) or friendlies

16 Dec

Draw for Euro 2025

Full qualifying draw

League A

Group A1: Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Finland
Group A2: Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic
Group A3: France, England, Sweden, Republic of Ireland
Group A4: Germany, Austria, Iceland, Poland

League B

Group B1: Switzerland, Hungary, Turkey, Azerbaijan
Group B2: Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Israel
Group B3: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Malta
Group B4: Wales, Croatia, Ukraine, Kosovo

League C

Group C1: Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus, Georgia
Group C2: Slovenia, Latvia, North Macedonia, Moldova
Group C3: Greece, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands
Group C4: Romania, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Armenia
Group C5: Albania, Estonia, Luxembourg

When are the 2025 Euros taking place?

The 16-team tournament will run from July 2-27, 2025.

Where is the 2025 tournament being hosted?

Switzerland are the host country after beating off competition from Poland, France and jointly Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden.

Who are the defending champions?

England are the defending champions after lifting the trophy on home soil in 2022.