As the Men’s European Championship draws to a close, the Women’s European Championship qualifiers are heating up.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all vying for places at Euro 2025, to be held in Switzerland next summer.
Reigning European champions England have qualified automatically, while Scotland and Wales are guaranteed play-off places, and Northern Ireland still have everything to fight for.
Here’s the situation.
How will Euro 2025 qualifiers work?
Teams will be split into groups of three or four and compete in a round-robin format across three divisions: League A, B and C.
The top two teams from each group in League A will automatically qualify for Euro 2025, with the remaining seven spots decided through a play-off this year.
So far, three teams have qualified: hosts Switzerland, Germany and world champions Spain.
In the first round of the playoffs, the third and fourth placed teams from League A will face off against the top five group winners and the top three runners-up from League C. The top eight winners will progress to the second round.
Additionally, the four group winners and the two best-performing runners-up from League B will play the two worst-performing runners-up and the four third-placed teams from their divisions. The six winners will advance.
The second round will see the 14 remaining teams meet and play seven matches, with the winner qualifying for Euro 2025.
Two wins will be enough for England
Remaining matches
July 12: England v Republic of Ireland, Carrow Road, Norwich, 20.00 BST
July 16: Sweden v England, Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, 18:00
England have made a shaky start to the season, drawing with Sweden and losing to France in qualifiers and only winning one point from their two home games so far.
However, they did win an important victory in France last time out, securing qualification for Euro 2025.
If Sarina Wiegmann’s team wins both of their remaining matches, they will automatically qualify, regardless of the results of other teams’ matches.
If England beat the Republic of Ireland and Sweden lose to France, a draw in Gothenburg would see the Lionesses travel to Switzerland.
Scotland aims to take the lead
Remaining matches
July 12: Slovakia v Scotland, Stadion pod Zoborom, Nitra, 18:00
July 16: Scotland v Serbia, Firhill, Glasgow, 18:00
Scotland have already qualified for the play-offs and will be aiming to finish top of their group to secure promotion to League A in the next round of the Women’s Nations League.
Serbia can do so by winning their two remaining games or by picking up a point in their final match against Serbia if they fail to beat Israel in their next game.
Northern Ireland are one win away from the playoffs
Remaining matches
July 12: Malta v Northern Ireland, Centenary Stadium, Ta’Qali, 18.30
July 16: Northern Ireland v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Windsor Park, Belfast, 18:00
Northern Ireland will book a play-off spot if they win at least two points from their remaining two games.
Tanja Oxtoby’s side will book a place in the play-offs if they win in Malta on Friday or avoid defeat by drawing with Bosnia-Herzegovina in their final game.
A win in their final two games would see Northern Ireland move up to second in the group and potentially secure a more favourable play-off spot as they bid to reach a second consecutive Euros final.
Wales and Croatia in penalty shootout
Remaining matches
July 12: Croatia v Wales, Branko Čavlović Čavrec Stadion, Karlovac, 19.15
July 16: Wales v Kosovo, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, 18:00
Wales are guaranteed a play-off place and could be promoted to League A in the 2025-26 Nations League if they win their group.
A win in Croatia on Friday would see Wales top the group, but their superior goal difference means they effectively only need to pick up a point at home to Kosovo. A loss in Karlovac would give Croatia the lead.
