England finds itself gearing up to defend its Womenโs European Championship title amid a flurry of challenges and increased expectations. Entering the 16-team tournament as one of the favored contenders, the team heads to Switzerland, having tasted both triumph and near miss in recent major tournaments. After clinching victory on home ground during Euro 2022 and coming second to Spain at the 2023 World Cup, the pressure surrounding the Lionesses is palpable.
The 2022 success marked a historic event for England, being the countryโs first senior football crown since the menโs World Cup win of 1966. With the sport deeply embedded in the nationโs culture, such achievements have significantly amplified the fanfare around the squad.
โThereโs always some buzz before a major tournament,โ acknowledged Englandโs coach Sarina Wiegman. โThe attention on womenโs soccer has grown substantially, so it feels like thereโs more noise. Our focus must remain on the game, setting aside distractions.โ
Sarina Wiegman, at the helm since September 2021, aims for a third European Championship triumph, having previously led the Netherlands to victory in 2017. However, the run-up to Euro 2025 was laced with challenges, with key players withdrawing from tournament selection. Among these, defender Millie Bright cited mental and physical unpreparedness, while goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby announced their retirement from international duties. The trio held pivotal roles in Englandโs Euro 2022 success.
Leah Williamson, Englandโs captain, remarked, โThe noise is just a reality. Sometimes itโs more pressuring than others, however, weโre focusing on this upcoming challenge, which is substantially different from previous tournaments. Weโre eager for the excitement this new team dynamic promises.โ
Bright underwent knee surgery, and Earpsโ unexpected exit followed her demotion behind Chelseaโs Hannah Hampton in the goalkeeping hierarchy, leaving Hampton as the only experienced goalkeeper in a largely fresh lineup.
With 13 players returning from the victorious 2022 campaign, the squad also features seven newcomers to a major competition. Coach Wiegman is optimistic about the fusion of seasoned players with burgeoning talent.
โWhen I took charge, the team was quite seasoned. I believe thereโs still plenty of experience. Over a dozen have participated in significant tournaments. High-level club engagement means facing media scrutiny and playing for large audiences is familiar territory,โ Wiegman elaborated. โThe balance of seasoned and novice players is satisfactory; the fresh faces are rearing to compete.โ
As they prepare for Euro 2025, the Lionesses have experienced highs and lows, demonstrated by their recent Nations League results: a 3-2 away loss to Belgium, a strong 6-0 home victory over Portugal, and a 2-1 defeat in Spain.
This mixed performance adds a layer of uncertainty to Englandโs title defense, beginning against France on July 5 in Zurich. The team will also face the Netherlands, Wiegmanโs homeland, alongside debutant Wales.
โEvery tournament brings different circumstances,โ noted Wiegman. โDoubt is a normal pre-tournament phenomenon. Predictability would certainly take away the excitement from the sport.โ