England start their UEFA Women’s Euro defence in the 2025 edition with a blockbuster clash against France at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich.
FRA-W vs ENG-W Match Details
Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025 / Sunday, 6 July 2025
Time: 21:00 (CET) / 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
FRA-W vs ENG-W Match Preview
It has been the story of difficult exits for France in the past few major tournaments since producing their best finish on the Euro stage by reaching the semifinals in 2022, overcoming several quarterfinal finishes in the past editions. Unfortunately, Les Bleues will be stuck in that loop in the following competitions, like the quarterfinal exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup and another heartbreaking last-eight elimination in the Olympics the following year, hosted on their soil. Yet, their challenge gets severe as they enter their eighth successive Euros with holders England, 2017 winners Netherlands and debutants Wales to face in the ‘group of death’. That means a defeat or even a draw could be costly, while they lack proven leaders in the squad. The side will also face Sarina Wiegman’s side to open their competition, which in itself is a test of its own. However, the French side has been on the brighter side of things since Laurent Bonadei took charge after Hervé Renard left the role following the Olympics, having been an assistant during his reign. The latter, though, took charge of the Euro qualifiers played in the months leading up to the Olympics and, interestingly, faced the Lionesses there. They managed to beat them away and also topped the group in their automatic qualification, an impressive showing that they maintained in the recently concluded Nations League by winning all six group games with an aggregate score of 14-2. After sweeping past Belgium and overturning a two-goal deficit in the opening 10 minutes to win 3-2 against Brazil in the two pre-tournament friendlies, France are ready to remind the holders of that evening to make a perfect start with no loss incurred in the group stage of the Euros since 2009. Explore France’s Euro 2025 team details
Two years since crowning themselves with a historical Women’s Euro title in front of a record-breaking crowd at Wembley, England will start the latest edition of the competition as champions for the first time, with the 2025 edition hosted in Switzerland. Sarina Wiegman became the first manager to win back-to-back Euros with two different sides, having led the Netherlands to their first Euro title in 2017 and now aims to do a three-peat in her fourth major tournament final. However, the Lionesses have to keep their feet very much on the ground as, apart from the difficulty of putting into a testing group, they enter this competition with key contributors from their last Euro success not part of the squad anymore and some questionable form. Although the defenders secured automatic qualification, they finished second to France in their qualifying group, only three points ahead of third-place and playoff-qualified Sweden. England also missed out on Olympic qualification and failed to enter the Nations League finals after their runners-up finish in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with rotation between high-scoring wins and disappointing defeats, while losing three of their past four major tournament meetings against France, their opposition in the opening group game. Despite that, the Lionesses have proven again and again under their Dutch mastermind that they can push through in major tournaments even with issues. They remain in the favourites tag, besides Spain, to take the silverware back home again and will want to produce the tournament-winning mentality for a statement win in the opener. Explore England’s Euro 2025 team details
FRA-W vs ENG-W Recent Form (all competitions)
FRA-W: WWWWW
ENG-W: WLWLW
FRA-W vs ENG-W Team News
France's squad selection for major tournaments often faces controversy, and Euro 2025 is no exception. Bonadei dropped two huge names in the form of the captain, Wendie Renard and all-time top goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer from the tournament, which raised eyebrows as both veterans are not only stalwarts in their position but also leaders in their dressing room. Stressing on youth is what the manager insisted on behind his decision with the centre-back pairing involving Maelle Lakrar and Griedge Mbock without Renard, while Marie-Antoinette Katoto is now the out-and-out striker with no Sommer around. The 26-year-old will want to leave the horrors of her previous tournament, which was cut short due to an ACL injury suffered only in the second group game.
Meanwhile, England are without Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, who announced their international retirement only days before squad selection for the tournament, while Millie Bright also made herself unavailable due to personal reasons. However, Women’s World Cup star Lauren James was included for her first taste of European Championship football despite a three-month injury absence. The Chelsea winger, though, will only make the bench here with the front four of Beth Mead, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo, who started in the 7-0 humbling of Jamaica in the pre-tournament friendly, will retain their spot.
FRA-W vs ENG-W Predicted Lineup
France
Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Mbock, Lakrar, Bacha; Geyoro, Jean-Francois, Karchaoui; Diani, Baltimore, Katoto
England
Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter; Stanway, Walsh; Mead, Toone, Hemp; Russo
FRA-W vs ENG-W Dream11 Match Prediction
France could be a tough opponent on their day and carry a sublime form to the Euros by winning all eight games this year. However, the side is lacking important leaders to guide them through the tournament, which could be a stumbling block for them, even with their youthful look. On the other hand, England has their greatest strength in manager, Sarina Wiegman, with the squad still having a lot of tournament-winning experience blended with youth and necessary depth. We expect a thrilling game to play out as both teams go for the win, with the group of death having such fine margins. The Lionesses should have the edge in a goal-flurry battle expected that may end 3-2 in their favour.
FRA-W vs ENG-W Dream11 Team Top picks
Captain Pick: Alessia Russo
Vice-captain Picks: Beth Mead, Kadidatou Diani
Alternative: Marie-Antoinette Katoto
Alessia Russo has cemented herself as a target player for England, having played second fiddle to the now-retired record goalscorer Ellen white in the previous edition. She has bagged six goals in 11 appearances this year, including scoring in each of the last two games for England.
Beth Mead returned as the joint-top scorer in the previous edition of the Euros with six goals, but grabbed the Golden Boot due to her four assists in six games. The 30-year-old was also involved in seven goals (4 goals, 3 assists) in 11 matches for the Lionesses this year.
FRA-W vs ENG-W Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Hampton (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: Bronze (Cr - 9), Williamson (Cr - 8.5), Bacha (Cr - 7)
MID: Geyoro (Cr - 9), Stanway (Cr - 8), Toone (Cr - 7.5), Karchaoui (Cr - 7.5)
FW: Mead (Cr - 8.5), Russo (Cr - 9), Diani (Cr - 9)
Vice-captain: Beth Mead
Captain: Alessia Russo
