England and Wales will face each other at Euro 2025 after being drawn in what some are suggesting is the toughest group at next summer's tournament in Switzerland. England, who were in pot two, and debutants Wales, who were in pot four, came out in Group D alongside France – the group's pot one team - and the Netherlands, who were one of the formidable sides lurking in pot three. While England and Wales avoided world champions Spain and eight-time European champions Germany, hosts Switzerland would on paper have been the most favourable draw from pot one.
Wales may have been hoping not to face England, the highest-ranked side in pot two. Sweden were the strongest team in pot three – according to the Fifa rankings, where they are fifth – but facing the Dutch will represent a significant challenge for both England and Wales. England will open their Euro 2025 campaign against France in Zurich on 5 July, with Wales' women getting a first taste of major championship football on the same day against the Netherlands in Lucerne.
Manager Sarina Wiegman will lead England against her native Netherlands – who she led to victory at Euro 2017 and to the World Cup final two years later – in Zurich on 9 July. On the same day, Wales will meet France at Arena St Gallen. England and Wales then play each other in their group-stage finale on 13 July in St Gallen, with France taking on the Netherlands in Basel at the same time.
There are no minnows at the 16-team European Championship, b.
