England proceed their European Championship defence within the Euro 2025 qualifiers – however the Lionesses face a ‘group of dying’ on the highway to Switzerland.
The Lionesses defeated Germany to win Euro 2022 in entrance of a sold-out Wembley and will probably be trying to attain one other main event showpiece following their run to the Ladies’s World Cup last final 12 months.
However adjustments to the European Qualifiers format means Sarina Wiegman’s aspect face a problem to succeed in the Euro 2025 finals, a minimum of compared to their run of one-sided victories in qualifying for the final World Cup.
Defending champions England face Sweden, France and the Republic of Eire in Group A3 of the Euro 2025 qualifiers – a bunch that options three of the 4 semi-finalists from the final Euros and three of the top-six groups on the earth.
After successful simply considered one of their first three video games, England claimed an important win over France in Saint-Etienne to revive their hopes forward of subsequent month’s last two fixtures, that are at house to the Republic of Eire and away to Sweden. Right here’s how the Euro 2025 qualifying works…
Group A3 standings after England’s win
To start with, why is England’s group so onerous?
Forward of Euro 2025, Uefa modified the format of its European Qualifiers and adopted the Nations League mannequin. Groups had been cut up into three leagues (A, B and C), decided by their efficiency within the inaugural Ladies’s Nations League marketing campaign. Primarily, the leagues correlate with Fifa rating, so England are among the many finest groups in Europe in League A.
England completed second of their Nations League group earlier this season, behind the Netherlands – who certified for the Finals. Sarina Wiegman’s workforce had been subsequently allotted in pot 2 of the League A draw. They drew France, who had been in pot 1 as they received their Nations League group, in addition to Sweden and the Republic of Eire, the toughest potential opponents from pots 3 and 4. Sweden had completed third of their Nations League group, whereas Eire had been promoted from League B.
How do England qualify for Euro 2025?
England will play one another workforce in Group A3 twice, as soon as at house and as soon as away, throughout three worldwide home windows. In League A, the highest two groups in every group will qualify robotically for the Euro 2025 finals, with the opposite two groups who end third and fourth going by means of to the play-offs – even when they lose each sport. It means a minimum of considered one of France, England or Sweden, all semi-finalists on the final Euros, will probably be heading by means of to the play-offs.
How do the play-offs work?
The play-offs are two-legged ties with house and away fixtures and will probably be performed throughout two rounds. As England are in League A, they’d be among the many seeded groups within the play-offs if the Lionesses end both third or fourth in Group A3.
There, within the first spherical, they’d be drawn in opposition to one of many group winners or runners-up from League C – which might be a beneficial tie for England. Within the second spherical of play-offs, England can be drawn in opposition to one of many runners-up or third-place groups in League B. The hardest opponent England may face within the play-offs, in the event that they don’t qualify robotically, can be Portugal, Scotland or Wales.
The play-offs are levels throughout two rounds or two-legged ties, set to be performed in October after which late November and early December in 2024.
What are England’s fixtures in Group A3?
Play-off dates
