England face a group of death to qualify for Euro 2025 with the Lionesses drawn against France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
The reigning champions will have to finish in one of the top two places to qualify automatically for the tournament in Switzerland and avoid four extra play-off games.
The 51 teams hoping to qualify for the tournament were split into three leagues – A, B and C.
The results of the 2023-2024 Nations League campaign determined which league teams entered, with England in League A, Group 3.
The Lionesses are arguably in the toughest group. England the fourth best ranked team in the world with France third and Sweden fifth, while the Republic of Ireland one of tougher lower-ranked teams Sarina Wiegman’s side could have drawn.
England have been drawn against France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2025 qualifying
England will have to defend their crown the hard way after they were handed a tough draw
The qualifying group has been billed ‘the group of death’ after three of the world’s top five teams were drawn together
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‘Of course, we all went into the draw knowing that Sweden – one of the top countries – would be in Pot 3 because of their Nations League performance in 2023 so with France, Sweden, and Ireland in our group, it will be very competitive.
‘It’s exciting and now we just have to show up and perform. For the fans and for football, it is really good because it will be so competitive.’
England beat Sweden in the semi-final of Euro 2022 but are yet to face France or the Republic of Ireland under Wiegman.
‘France have a very good squad and they showed their qualities by reaching the Nations League final,’ Wiegman added.
‘I’m really excited to play against France because we haven’t faced them during my time as England head coach, so I’m really looking forward to those two games.
‘Sweden struggled in the Nations League, which is why they were in Pot 3, but over the years, they have performed so well. They are a top country with top players in their squad, many of whom we know from the Women’s Super League.
‘The games with the Republic of Ireland will be really competitive.
‘The two countries are obviously close to each other so hopefully lots of fans will have the opportunity to go to watch those games.
‘Like with Sweden, the players know each other so well because a lot of them play in the Women’s Super League and some play alongside our players. So I think they are another two games which will be competitive and have some special elements to it too.’
Sarina Wiegman’s side will have to finish in the top two teams to qualify automatically
France are one of the form sides in the world and lost the Nations League final to Spain
In each league, the teams were split up into four seeding pots. England were in pot two due to finishing second in their Nations League group.
That meant they were guaranteed to get one of France, Spain, Germany, or Netherlands – who finished top of their League A groups.
The top two teams in the four League A groups will qualify automatically for the tournament while the remaining seven places will be taken by the best-ranked sides from all three leagues.
The teams that finish third and fourth in the League A groups automatically qualify for the play-offs, as will the top three teams in each League B group, meaning England could finish bottom of their group and still have a good chance of qualifying.
If hosts Switzerland finish in the top three of their group, then the best ranked fourth-place team from League B will qualify for the play-offs.
From League C, the five group winners and three best-ranked runners-up will reach the play-offs.
The first round of play-offs will see the eight teams from League A drawn against the eight sides from League C, while the six best teams from League B will face the six worst teams from League B.
Once that round is completed, the 14 teams remaining will be split in seedings. The top seven ranked nations will be drawn against the other seven teams, and the winners of those fixtures will take up the final seven qualifying spots.
The qualification stage has been formed in a Nations League-style format for the first time
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all in League B but were kept apart in the draw.
Scotland were drawn against Serbia, Israel and Slovakia while Wales will take on Croatia, Ukraine and Kosovo.
Northern Ireland face games against Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Malta.