ENGLAND
The Lionesses go into Euro 2025 as the holders, but it’s been an up-and-down journey for Sarina Wiegman’s charges in the three years since they lifted the trophy on home soil. They also reached a first ever World Cup final, but then failed to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in France.
Words Jessy Parker Humphreys
There will be no gentle start for them this summer, after being drawn into the Group of Death alongside the Netherlands, France and Wales. Injuries have plagued this England outfit, with Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood all notable absentees in the lead-up to the tournament.
Having a threadbare squad has resulted in predictable line-ups of tired players losing to France (2-1), Germany (4-3) and Belgium (3-2) in the past 12 months, and England have looked particularly fragile on the counter-attack. Nonetheless, this side can turn it on, highlighted by February’s impressive 1-0 home win over world champions Spain. If they are able to field a firstchoice XI, England will be one of the strongest participants at Euro 2025. The big question is whether they have enough in the squad as a whole to compete if things don’t go to plan. This is a new experience for Wiegman, who hasn’t coached a country through two editions of the same tournament before; some would argue that she hasn’t evolved the team enough from the one that triumphed in 2022. One change she has made is to promote Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to be England’s No.1, usurping fan favourite Mary Earps. However, Wiegman does have form for changing her mind on the eve of an international competition: captain Leah Williamson appeared poised to play in midfield at Euro 2022, only to be switched to defence.