Women's Euro 2025 draw: England to face Wales, France and Netherlands in tough group stage draw

Holders England will face Wales in the group stage of Women's Euro 2025 after a tough draw which will see both sides also face France and Netherlands.

Sarina Wiegman's defending champions will play Euros debutants Wales on July 13 to round off their group campaigns.

In what was a mouth-watering draw for the Lionesses, Wiegman has been handed the challenge of facing her native Netherlands, who she led to European glory in 2017, on July 9, while France await in their tournament opener on July 5.

"It's a tough draw and a very exciting group," Wiegman said. "I always say these are the facts and we have to get ready and be ready for July 5.

"Of course, it's going to be difficult but things are never easy. We have had tough groups in the Nations league and now it is the same in the Euros.

"Every game in this group is going to be tough, challenging and exciting."

England boss Wiegman became the first coach to win the Women's Euros with two different nations when she led England to glory five years after achieving the same feat with the Netherlands.

France finished top of qualifying Group A3 ahead of the Lionesses by a single point after winning 2-1 at St James' Park in May.

Wales' opener is also on July 5 against Netherlands before they face France on July 9.

Wales, who will be playing at the finals of a major tournament for the first time after beating the Republic of Ireland in a play-off, are the lowest-ranked finalists at 30, and will have their work cut out against the sides currently sitting fourth, 10th and 11th in FIFA's table.

Both sides did manage to avoid world champions Spain, who were drawn with Portugal, Belgium and Italy.

Meanwhile, Germany, who lost to England in the final of Euro 2022, were paired with former winners Sweden, Denmark and another tournament newcomer in Poland.

Finally, hosts Switzerland will kick off the tournament against Norway in Basel on July 2. The other game in that group on the same day will be Iceland vs Finland in Thun.

UEFA will publish the full schedule with kick-off times following the draw.

The tournament will be played at eight venues - Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zurich, St Gallen, Lucerne, Sion and Thun - between July 2 and 27.

Meanwhile, UEFA has confirmed a huge rise in total prize money for the tournament to €41m, almost £34m.

A statement read: "The UEFA Executive Committee approved €41m in prize money for UEFA Women's Euro 2025, representing a 156 per cent increase on the figure from 2022.

"Participating national associations will now also distribute a guaranteed percentage of the rewards - between 30 per cent and 40 per cent - to their players for the first time."

Group A: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland

Group B: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy

Group C: Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden

Group D: France, England, Wales, Netherlands

The Women's Euros kick off on Wednesday July 2, with the final on Sunday July 27.

Group stage: July 2-13

Quarter-finals: July 16-19

Semi-finals: July 22-23

Final: July 27 (Basel)

The 16-team tournament will take place in eight venues across Switzerland. The final will be played in Basel.