Euro 2025 kicks off tomorrow in Switzerland, as England continue their preparations for their tournament opener against France on Saturday.
The Lionesses head into the European Championships as the holders but face a challenging group that includes contenders France, Netherlands and debutants Wales.
The action gets underway on Wednesday, with two games from Group A. First, Iceland and Finland meet in Geneva in the curtain-raiser, but all eyes will be on the later game between hosts Switzerland and dark horses Norway.
With Switzerland experiencing a heatwave, like most of Europe, Uefa have made the decision to relax their rules around fans bringing bottles of water to the stadium for the first couple of days.
And England, who arrived in Zurich on Monday ahead of their opening game against France on July 5, will be preparing for that all important match in the heat as Euro 2025 gets underway.
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Euro 2025 LIVE: Latest news and updates
- Euro 2025 kicks off tomorrow in Switzerland | Full fixture list and schedule
- Finland v Iceland is opening match, before Switzerland v Norway
- England play their opening game against France on Saturday
- Aitana Bonmati back with Spain squad ahead of Euro 2025
- Uefa relaxes rules on bringing water into stadium due to heatwave
Norway players unbothered by heat ahead of Euros opener
18:08
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Jamie Braidwood
Norway's squad will be paying scant attention to the weather when the Women's European Championship begins on Wednesday, despite a decision by Uefa to allow fans to bring bottles of water to games due to a heatwave in Switzerland.
Speaking at a press conference in a sweltering room at the St. Jakob-Park stadium ahead of her side's clash with their Swiss hosts on Wednesday evening, Norway coach Gemma Grainger said her side would not be hiding behind the conditions.
"For me, the weather is just how it is - whether it's wind, rain, sun, it's not an excuse, it's just something that you have to get on with. It's the same with the pitch, with the stadium, so for both teams, it's exactly the same," she said.
"Of course, we've had some good strategies to make sure that we can recover well, so that's all in place, but actually, tomorrow night the weather will not be on our minds, it'll be about enjoying this game and making sure that the team can perform."
Lauren James returns to set up biggest question of England’s Euro 2025 opener
18:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
As England’s players packed up their belongings and said their goodbyes to friends and family at Leicester's King Power Stadium, ahead of flying to Switzerland on Monday, Sarina Wiegman and her coaching staff started to consider the biggest question that remains ahead of England’s opening game. After a sparkling 30-minute cameo against Jamaica in their Euro 2025 send-off, just what part will Lauren James play against France on Saturday?
Sarina Wiegman delighted with England performance ahead of Euros opener
17:30
,
Jamie Braidwood
Sarina Wiegman was impressed with England’s performance but knows there will be stronger challenges ahead after their dominant 7-0 win over Jamaica in their final game before the European Women’s Championship.
“We played a good game,” the 55-year-old said. “We were a lot in the final third, we scored seven goals which is really good, created a lot of chances and some moments could have been even more patient sometimes.
“But at the same time, scoring seven goals and more opportunities to score was really good.
“We know next week we have to take our game to the next level. But what we wanted to do was play a good game, entertain fans, getting ready for next week and getting everyone fit out of this game.”
England ‘put on a show’ and send message to rivals in Euro 2025 send-off
17:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
There were fireworks over Leicester. The Lionesses will hope they see more over Basel in four weeks’ time. The tests will only get tougher, starting against France in their Euro 2025 opener on Saturday, but England ensured they enjoyed their send-off with a thumping win over Jamaica at the King Power.
It can sometimes be hard to tell just how much to take from a friendly of this nature, and what was clear from this 7-0 win was that a depleted Jamaica provided a demonstration to anyone at Euro 2025 of how not to play against England.
The European champions and holders, though, displayed just how much quality they possess when they are allowed time and given options. “We should take a lot of confidence [from the result],” Leah Williamson said. “We wanted to move the ball, put on a show.”
Women’s Euros host cities and towns in Switzerland: Where they are and how to visit
16:30
,
Jamie Braidwood
After a three-year wait, the Women’s Euros Championship is back, and this time, Switzerland will be hosting the female football teams in eight different stadiums across the country.
Back in 2022, England hosted the games after a delay due to Covid, seeing the Lionesses win their home tournament for the first time in women’s (and men’s) Euros history.
The 2025 championship will kick off on 2 July in Thun, sitting on the banks of a deep blue lake in the heart of the country, with the final then scheduled on 27 July in Basel, which has just hosted the Eurovision Song Contest.
Throughout the month, matches will be held in some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking destinations, from the chocolate artisan haven of Geneva to the town of Sion tucked away in the Rhone Valley between the snowcapped Swiss Alps.
Women’s Euro 2025: Predict the results of every game from the group stages to the final
16:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
Women’s Euro 2025 is almost here – and now, you can join the action with our interactive prediction widget.
Think you know how the tournament will play out? Use the tool to pick who you think will top each group, then chart your knockout stage all the way to the final in Basel on July 27.
Can England defend their crown? Will debutants Wales pull off a fairytale run? Or is it finally France’s time to lift a major trophy? This is your chance to call it all.
With Europe’s top talent on display – from the Netherlands and Germany to Spain, Sweden, and Norway – the tournament promises big drama across Switzerland.
England’s blockbuster opener against France, Wales' historic debut, and heavyweight clashes throughout the group stage set the stage for a summer of unforgettable football.
Wales' Ceri Holland bounces back from injury to make Euro 2025
15:30
,
Jamie Braidwood
Wales vice-captain Ceri Holland feared her Euro 2025 dream was over after leaving the Nations League game against Denmark on a stretcher.
Holland was in tears after being injured in the closing stages of the April clash in Cardiff, with the physical pain of a collision that left her wearing a protective boot matched by the thought of missing the European Championship.
"I was very, very lucky. I probably felt the worse," said Holland. "With the Euros around the corner that's what was on everyone's minds.
"Those next 24 hours after the injury were tough, mentally they were very tough. Naturally you do fear the worst, but I was happy to be back with the team.
"I was waiting to see how long that injury would play out, you never know how your body's going to react. But as soon as I got back on the pitch I thought I'd be ready and I've just continued to grow my fitness."
15:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
England midfielder Ella Toone believes “healthy competition” within the side can push the Lionesses on to glory at the Euro 2025 this summer.
Sarina Wiegman’s side earned a convincing 7-0 victory over Jamaica in their final game before they aim to defend their European crown in Switzerland starting on Saturday against France.
She told the England website: “It’s nice to send ourselves off to the Euros in that style.
“I’ve waited a while for another goal in an England shirt and two came today, so obviously I’m really happy with that. But overall, the team performance was great and we’re excited now going into the Euros.
“We’ve got a very talented squad, a very exciting group, and for us, we’re going to take each game as it comes, we’re going to step out and give our all as we always do, and hopefully we can make the nation proud.
“There’s so much talent, there’s players who have been to tournaments, players who are going to their first, and no matter what role I have in the tournament I’ll make sure that I give my best for the team – we’ll all be pushing each other and it’s healthy competition.”
Pubs reveal how many extra pints they expect to pull during Euro 2025
14:30
,
Jamie Braidwood
Pubs across the UK are anticipating a significant economic uplift this summer, with the Uefa Women’s Euros expected to drive millions of additional pint sales, according to a leading trade body.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) projects that establishments could pull an extra 2.6 million pints during the tournament.
This estimate is based on an anticipated surge in beer sales during matches compared to the annual daily average.
The competition kicks off in Switzerland on 2 July, with England’s Lionesses and Wales playing their opening fixtures just days later, on 5 July.
England Women’s Euros squad 2025: Guide to every Lionesses player
14:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
A “new” England heads to Switzerland for Euro 2025 look to defend the title they won on home soil three years ago.
There have been plenty of changes and seven players, from 19-year-old striker Michelle Agyemeng to the uncapped 30-year-old goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, will be taking part in their first major international tournament.
But several winners from Euro 2022 will be back again under Sarina Wiegman, with captain Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead bringing the experience and setting the standards as England look to retain their crown.
Group A kicks off Euro 2025 as hosts Switzerland in action
13:30
,
Jamie Braidwood
The opening day of Euro 2025 sees Group A in action. Usually, the hosts would play the curtain-raiser, but it is Iceland and Finland who will instead have the honour of playing the opening match of the tournament in Thun.
After that, hosts Switzerland take on dark horses Norway in Basel, in what will be their toughest match of the group stage on paper. Norway have some of the world’s best attacking players, including Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen and Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg, but they have fallen apart spectacularly at the last two major tournaments.
But if things click under English coach Gemma Grainger, they could certainly be ones to watch.
Euro 2025 opening fixtures
Iceland vs Finland, 5pm BST, ITV 1
Switzerland vs Norway, 8pm BST, BBC One
The two sides of Sarina Wiegman’s approach driving the ‘noise’ around England
13:15
,
Miguel Delaney
For the seven England players enjoying their first ever tournament call-up, there is a new sense of wonder at being part of a team that is a genuine cultural force. A giddy excitement could be sensed around some of the Euro 2025 campaigns, that you can now see all over England.
“Admire England,” one starts, but “Fear the Lionesses.” The campaign goes on to say ,“Chloe’s calm, Kelly’s chaos”, “Leah charms, Williamson commands”.
It might be an apt theme on a few levels, some unintended. Because, when you speak to people around Sarina Wiegman’s camp, there are almost two sides to most discussion around the team. That marks a shift in itself, given we aren’t really seeing the unifying optimism of Euro 2022, or the deep resolve of the 2023 World Cup. At least not yet. Instead, there’s a split around general expectations for Euro 2025. England are simultaneously cast as having a strong chance of retaining their title, and being vulnerable to an embarrassing group-stage elimination.
Aitana Bonmati back with Spain squad ahead of Euro 2025
13:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati has joined up with the Spain Euro 2025 squad in Switzerland after after being treated for viral meningitis.
Bonmati, who has won the Ballon d’Or for the past two years, was absent for her country’s 3-1 friendly win over Japan on Friday as she received treatment at a Madrid hospital. She was discharged on Sunday.
The Spanish Football Federation shared photos on social media of the 27-year-old arriving at the team hotel late on Monday.
The arrival of Bonmati, who has scored 30 times in 78 matches for her country, will be a big boost for the world champions, but it remains to be seen when she will be available to play.
Y cuando creíamos que el día lo había dado todo de sí...@AitanaBonmati @sefutbolfem .
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) June 30, 2025
¡Qué alegría tenerte de vuelta, Aita! #WEURO2025 | #JugarLucharYGanar pic.twitter.com/p4qtn3az1v
Prince William's message to Lionesses ahead of Euro 2025
12:45
,
Jamie Braidwood
Prince William has delivered an inspiring good luck message to the Lionesses ahead of Euro 2025.
The Prince of Wales visited England's women's football squad at the St George’s Park national football centre in Staffordshire on Monday, June 30th.
During his visit, William spoke to the England Women’s manager, Sarina Wiegman, and then presented all 23 members with new match jerseys.
In his speech to the team, William stated, “I know how you are going to play – you are going to play with freedom, you are going to play with camaraderie and teamwork."
Lionesses receive warm send-off from St George's Park
12:31
,
Jamie Braidwood
England received a warm send-off from fans as they began their travels to Switzerland by leaving St George’s Park on Monday.
The Lionesses played their send-off friendly against Jamaica on Sunday - winning 7-0 - and will now be training in Zurich in the days leading up to their opening game against France on Saturday.
Uefa relaxes stadium rules as heatwave hits Switzerland
12:29
,
Jamie Braidwood
Fans will be allowed to bring bottles of water to the stadium for some of the games at the Women's European Championship, which gets underway on Wednesday, as a heatwave has sent temperatures in Switzerland to over 30 degrees.
European soccer governing body UEFA said on Tuesday that the normally strict security rules would be relaxed to allow fans attending matches on the first two days (July 2 and 3) of Euro 2025 to bring a half-litre plastic or aluminium water bottle into the stadium. No glass bottles will be allowed.
The usual conditions attached to Euro 2025 tickets state that no "bottles, jugs or cans of any kind, as well as other objects made from plastic, glass or any other fragile materials" may be brought into any of the stadiums, with exceptions made for medical containers.
According to meteorological service MeteoSwiss, the temperature in Basel is expected to reach 35 degrees ahead of Switzerland's opening game against Norway on Wednesday evening, with similar temperatures expected throughout the country.
Women’s Euro 2025 TV schedule: How to watch every match
12:27
,
Jamie Braidwood
England will chase another major title at Euro 2025 as the Lionesses take on debutants Wales, France and the Netherlands in a blockbuster Group D in Switzerland.
Sarina Wiegman’s side are defending champions having lifted the trophy on home soil with a memorable victory over Germany in the Euro 2022 final.
They will be joined by first-time qualifiers Wales who will make their major tournament debuts in the July finals after a historic victory over the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs.
