The 2025 European Championship kicks off today in Switzerland, with this year's tournament set to have the largest US broadcast footprint in Women's Euros history.
All games are set to air live on FOX Sports, so Stateside soccer fans can enjoy some top-notch football alongside their morning cup of coffee. The 16-team event runs from July 2nd through July 27th, with a four-team group stage followed by quarterfinal, semifinal, and final knockout rounds.
To double down on US interest, more than a few Euro 2025 rosters feature standout NWSL players. The heroes of this year's UEFA Women's Champions League are also well represented, with top UWCL athletes vying for continental glory across the 16 national teams.
Still have questions about what to expect from the most hyped Women's Euros on record? Check out this handy group stage guide, setting the scene for USWNT and NWSL fans looking for a European favorite to cheer for throughout Euro 2025.
Group A: Finland, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland
Euros players to know:
Finland: Natalia Kuikka (Chicago Stars)
Iceland: Sveindís Jónsdóttir (Angel City)
Norway: Caroline Graham Hansen (FC Barcelona), Ingrid Engen (FC Barcelona), Ada Hegerberg (OL Lyonnes), Guro Reiten (Chelsea), Frida Maanum (Arsenal)
Switzerland: Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (Seattle Reign), Lia Wälti (Arsenal)
Major Euro 2025 storylines: You likely won't find a tournament winner in this group, with Group A's teams uniformly considered to be some of the weakest contenders. Despite serious talent, Norway has been an underachiever in recent years, though their positioning should see them sail through to the knockouts.
But Norway's stumbles might be the average fan's gain, as the right performance could always spell an upset. Iceland plays physical, end-to-end football, while Finland lists individual players that can flip a game on its head.
Host nation Switzerland isn't exactly considered a threat, but head coach Pia Sundhage (formerly of the USWNT, Sweden, and Brazil) brings a pragmatism that can stir up wins. But barring truly wacky results, Norway should make their way out of Group A on top. And with a little help, Iceland could join them by keeping games close.
Most likely to advance: Norway, Iceland
Group B: Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal
Euros players to know:
Spain: Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona), Esther González (Gotham FC), Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City), Salma Paralluelo (FC Barcelona)
Portugal: Jéssica Silva (Gotham FC), Nádia Gomes (Chicago Stars)
Italy: Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit)
Belgium: Amber Tysiak (West Ham United)
Major Euro 2025 storylines: Spain is Group B's obvious frontrunner, and is considered one of the favorites to win the whole tournament. Their 2023 World Cup-winning roster remains mostly intact, stocked with enough international experience and on-pitch chemistry to intimidate any opponent. Spain's also got a solid track record against European competition, taking down continental neighbors en route to the World Cup knockouts before winning 2024 Nations League.
But despite high hopes to win a first-ever Euros, Spain's isn't invincable. The team is still dealing with availability issues stemming from both injury and their World Cup-related federation dysfunction. On-field, they can also fall victim to their own style of play. And while many of their players already play together at Barcelona, there's always a big difference between club and country.
Of course, these are minor criticisms for a Spanish side predicted to break out of their Euros slump. Spain should comfortably finish atop Group B, with a heated competition for second nipping at their heels.
Portugal, Italy, and Belgium have all seen success at the Nations League level. But they remain unproven on the greater global stage. Italy and Belgium have swapped important wins in recent matchups — including Belgium's upset over England — while Portugal has struggled to get results. That means Group B's second place slot is wide open, but Italy's roster depth might lead them to break ground.
Most likely to advance: Spain, Italy
Group C: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Sweden
Euros players to know:
Germany: Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Sara Däbritz (OL Lyonnes), Jule Brand (Wolfsburg), Lea Schüller (Bayern Munich)
Denmark: Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich), Janni Thomsen (Utah Royals), Josefine Hasbo (Gotham FC), Nadia Nadim (Hammarby, previously Racing Louisville)
Sweden: Magda Eriksson (Bayern Munich), Hanna Lundkvist (San Diego Wave), Sofia Jakobsson (London City), Kosovare Asllani (London City), Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Fridolina Rolfö (FC Barcelona), Lina Hurtig ( Fiorentina, previously Arsenal)
Poland: Ewa Pajor (FC Barcelona)
Major Euro 2025 storylines: The competition really starts to heat up when you reach Group C — at least on paper. Germany has won the Euros eight times, and consistently qualifies for major tournaments. Their struggles in the 2023 World Cup notwithstanding, Germany has never been a team that gets grouped easily.
But the other Group C teams could absolutely push through via talent and opportunity alone. Sweden has one of the deepest rosters in the competition, from UWCL winners to a wealth of international experience. Sweden in particular, as USWNT fans know, frequently starts a tournament looking like a frontrunner, blowing through teams before eventually fizzling out in the late rounds.
Both Denmark and Poland have attackers that can rise to the occasion on any given day. Poland is making their Euros debut this year, after putting in consistent performances against smaller countries with few big-name club players at their disposal. Denmark has performed similarly, though they've had trouble when up against more formidable competition.
Most likely to advance: Germany, Sweden
Group D: England, France, the Netherlands, Wales
Euros players to know:
England: Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Lauren James (Chelsea), Aggie Beaver-Jones (Chelsea), Kiera Walsh (Chelsea), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
France: Griedge Mbock (PSG), Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea), Amel Majri (OL Lyonnes), Delphine Cascarino (San Diego Wave), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (OL Lyonnes), Kadidiatou Diani (OL Lyonnes)
The Netherlands: Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City), Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal), Danielle van de Donk (London City Lionesses), Damaris Egurrola (OL Lyonnes), Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City), Dominique Janssen (Manchester United), Victoria Pelova (Arsenal), Jackie Groenen (PSG), Esmee Brugts (Barcelona), Sherida Spitse (Ajax)
Wales: Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Angharad James-Turner (Seattle Reign), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power FC), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City)
Major Euro 2025 storylines: Mutually assured destruction? Even in a tournament with more than one competitive group, Group D is capital-D difficult enough that it's guaranteed to send a Euros front-runner home before they even reach the knockout stage.
Despite entering as the reigning European champs, England fans will have to do a quick assessment on the team's mental focus. Ups and downs in recent Nations League matches and more than one sudden high-profile retirement have recently called the squad's locker room vibes into question.
The Lionesses have been criticized for lack of roster rotation after their second-place 2023 World Cup finish. Coach Sarina Wiegman has quickly upended that status quo, however, making several major changes that left a younger, new-look team unsettled ahead of their 2022 Euros title defense. Of course, they still have the depth and style it takes to make a deep run this year, but they'll have to avoid lapses in play and shifting chemistry to get there.
As for France, Les Bleues have also grown more youthful, leaving longtime leaders Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer off the roster for the first time in recent memory. Reaching the semis in 2022, they've been contenders in every Euros cycle. But despite the strong showings, France has yet to lift a major international trophy.
The biggest thing holding France back is their own record. Les Bleues crashed out of the 2024 Paris Olympics on home soil after failing to make it beyond the 2023 World Cup quarterfinals. France could be a Euros favorite, but they'll have to make history to succeed.
The Netherlands might be the worst possible group stage assignment a team could draw aside from a clear frontrunner. The 2017 Euros champs arrive with serious experience, able to overpower any opponent with smart, matter-of-fact football. If France and England show weakness, expect the Dutch to ride physicality and speed all the way to the knockouts.
Armed with a surprisingly solid lineup led by NWSL legend Jess Fishlock, underdog Wales is here to play spoiler. If they grab points off mercurial England or pressure an underachieving France, these Euros debutants could have a real shot.
Most likely to advance: The Netherlands, England
How to watch UEFA Women's Euro 2025 in the United States
US viewers can catch all the Euros matches across FOX Sports. 19 matches will air exclusively on FOX, 11 airing on FS1, and one airing on FS2.
Cord-cutters can also access English-speaking Euro 2025 broadcasts live on Disney+ while VIX will carry the Spanish-language versions.
When San Diego's home match against the Washington Spirit ended in a 0-0 draw on June 22nd, the NWSL officially pressed pause on the regular season, entering an extended summer break as international tournaments kicked off around the world.
And while the US club league has dimmed its lights before — most recently during the 2024 Paris Olympics — this is the first year it's ever stopped play to accommodate major regional competitions like Copa América, WAFCON, and UEFA Women's Euro 2025.
Why the new approach? The league's global presence has never been stronger. And that's not just because high-profile players like Naomi Girma and Crystal Dunn swapped their NWSL jerseys for European kits earlier this year. It goes the other way, too. Once an assumed stronghold for homegrown talent, the NWSL has diversified its ranks, with top players heading overseas this window.
US broadcasters buy into growing Euros interest
No event has showcased this shift greater than the European Championship. The tournament was once siloed away from the average Stateside soccer fan. But this year, 18 NWSL players representing 12 countries are Switzerland-bound — three-times the number playing in England just three years ago.
And fans are ready to dig in. The 2025 Euros will be the most accessible in history, with FOX Sports recently doubling down on broadcasting the competition in the US.
The network has committed to 31 matches, including 19 games on linear TV and every knockout round match. It will also provide pre- and post-game analysis, aiming to develop a major market player while riding out the sport's popularity boom.
With increased visibility and plenty of familiar faces, NWSL fans are set to become Euro 2025's prime audience. And for players, showcasing the league's impact shapes the perception of football in the US, allowing the NWSL the opportunity to strengthen its reputation despite never taking the pitch this July.
Euros stars say perceptions of the NWSL are shifting
Only one NWSL player featured on England's 2022 Euros-winning roster. That was Houston forward-turned-defender Rachel Daly, before she returned to the WSL and retired from international play.
That number tripled in 2025, after Gotham FC defender Jess Carter, Spirit defender Esme Morgan, and Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse were called up to the Lionesses's title defense in Switzerland.
It's not Carter's first Euros, but this will be the first year she joins from an NWSL team. An England mainstay since her 2017 senior debut, she said she never felt like a move to the US would jeopardize her national team standing. Just so long as her performance stayed consistent.
"People were probably apprehensive about coming here before, because it's so far away from your family and friends," Carter told Just Women's Sports. "But also because the NWSL was traditionally known as just a transitional league. And to a lot of people in Europe, it wasn't technical enough."
Carter isn't alone in her assessment. Both Morgan and Moorhouse told JWS they were familiar with the NWSL's reputation as a "kick and run" league. Though that stereotype didn't match their experiences on the ground.
"Most [NWSL] teams are trying to play possession-based football, albeit a little more direct than Europe," Morgan said. "I think that's far more exciting to be a part of, and also more challenging as a defender because there are such fast transitions."
"The league is changing here in the US," echoed Carter, who departed Chelsea for Gotham in 2024. "It's becoming more technical."
NWSL play helped Morgan secure her spot with England
That hybrid style — plus more starting opportunities — have bolstered Morgan's status with England. Coach Sarina Wiegman already knew the Manchester City product as a powerful line-breaker on the ball. And her ability to wear down the low block while holding the lion's share of possession has only improved.
"I felt confident coming here," she continued. "As long as I continued to work on the things that I wanted to improve, and every weekend was putting in good performances for the Spirit, that would be enough to put me in the running for selection."
The NWSL's speed has also elevated her play. "[Wiegman] has spoken to me the last couple of times about being really pleased with what I've been able to do, in terms of being a little bit more aggressive, proactive, physical in my duels, and winning aerial balls," she said. "I've developed so much in that space since playing in America."
Both Morgan and Carter competed with England at the 2023 World Cup, 30-year-old Moorehouse is gearing up for her first major tournament with the national team. And coming from an Orlando side stacked with international talent — namely Brazil legend Marta and Zambia superstar Barbra Banda, among others — the goalie credited her NWSL team for keeping her on her toes every day.
"Marta humbles me on a daily basis, I'm not gonna lie," she laughed. "To see that day in-day out, it's only for the better. It's only going to improve my game."
Summer NWSL schedule benefits Euros-bound players
As coveted national team roster spots reflect both consistency and form, NWSL players have a quiet advantage. Thanks to the summer NWSL schedule, they're guaranteed to be completely match-fit going into any major tournament.
That the NWSL runs opposite to the more traditional fall-to-spring European setup has sometimes been a point of tension overseas. This was especially true in past years, when the league did not suspend regular-season play for more than a weekend or two during longer international windows. That practice forced previous Euros competitors to choose between club and country.
This year, however, players view the cross-conditioning to be as much of an asset as an anticipated challenge when they return to finish out the season.
"I spoke to quite a few of the US girls in the past about the fact that the summer schedule might have helped their performance in international tournaments," said Morgan, pointing out the NWSL-heavy USWNT's major tournament success.
"I feel like I'm peaking at the right time, going into the tournament in midseason," echoed Moorhouse, who is set to serve as backup to Chelsea goalkeeper and presumptive England starter Hannah Hampton.
Learning to balance club and country
Still, there are downsides. It's not always easy to travel in and out of market ahead of a big international opportunity, but each player finds their own way to stay on top of whichever task is in front of them, whether at home or abroad.
Sometimes that divide between club and country is literal. "We have a [NWSL] team app where we have communication," Gotham and Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger told media after her Euros call-up. "I was like, 'Look, if you need something, you have to text me on WhatsApp. Because this app is not working for me when I'm at the international break, and the same way around.'"
For Carter, the NWSL's schedule helps her compartmentalize, keeping her laser-focused on both individual and team goals.
"I'm someone that either is all in or all off," she explained. "I've got to make sure that I'm still eating right, training right, when all I want to do is sit by the beach and have an ice cream."
"I want fans to fall in love with women's football even more"
Carter and Berger aren't the only Gotham standouts packing their passports this month. Star forward Esther González is also committed to play for the always-dangerous Spanish national team. Fellow forward Jéssica Silva will represent Portugal and recent signing Josefine Hasbo is set to join Denmark. And the excitement is palpable, both on and off the pitch.
"It's really great to see that our fans get to support us even whilst we're not at Gotham. Because they're invested in us as people, not just Gotham," says Carter. "I want fans to fall in love with women's football even more, regardless of where it's being played."
As for Morgan, she could be battling against the Spirit's newest signing, Italy's Sofia Cantore. The rest of their teammates will definitely be watching from home — along with a very special guest.
Before Morgan left, her teammates assured her they would be up in the morning cheering her on. "And mak[ing] my kitten watch too, which is very cute," she added.
She said she likes imagining NWSL fans following their favorite club players through the tournament, staying engaged in the game even as the league takes a break.
Encouraging NWSL fans to watch the 2025 Euros
Moorhouse echoed Morgan's hope that the Euros will allow US fans to continue weaving women's football into their lives during the downtime.
"In the US, when I get up on a Saturday morning, all the games are on," she said, referencing the time change. "To me, that's so cool. I'm eating my breakfast, drinking my coffee, and I've just got football on the telly."
"Go and get your breakfast," she urged. "Get your pancakes. And watch some good football."
With the 16-team UEFA Euro 2025 set to kick off in Switzerland in less than five weeks, UEFA is seizing the opportunity to expand its global footprint following a breakout 2022 tournament.
The continental governing body is starting stateside, with Fox Sports announcing Wednesday that its platforms will air 20 matches from the upcoming 31-game European Championship live — marking the women's side's largest US media deal on record.
With no major events scheduled for the USWNT, international women's soccer will take center stage this summer, as the Euro, Copa América, and Africa Cup of Nations all return in July.
Fox Sports will also bring Copa América action to US viewers for the first time ever this summer, with broadcast details still to come.
England raises prize money for Lionesses
England is also upping its investment, with the FA agreeing to pay the Lionesses a record £1.7 million bonus package — nearly $2.3 million — should they successfully defend their 2022 title.
This year's total more than doubles the amount England players received for reaching the 2023 World Cup final.
While exact sums will vary, player payouts would average £73,000 each (over $98,000) — up some £18,000 ($24,000) from the Lionesses' 2022 earnings.
The move follows UEFA's earlier decision to double its own prize pool in 2025, raising the total purse to £34 million (almost $46 million), including an extra £4.3 million ($5.8 million) for the winner.
How to watch the 2025 Euros this summer
The 2025 European Championship kicks off on July 2nd when Iceland faces Finland at 12 PM ET before Switzerland takes on Norway at 3 PM ET, live on Fox.
Longtime England goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her retirement from international play on Tuesday, immediately ending her run just five weeks before the Lionesses begin their 2022 Euro title defense.
"My journey has never been the simplest, so in true Mary fashion, this isn't a simple goodbye — right before a major tournament," Earps said in a retirement post on Instagram. "Nonetheless, I know this is the right decision."
Despite the seemingly snap choice, Earps later clarified that she "spent a long time making this decision and it's not one I've made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive."
Earps led England to their first-ever European Championship plus the 2023 World Cup final in her 53 international caps.
However, Lioness manager Sarina Wiegman told media earlier this year that the 32-year-old Earps would likely take a backseat to Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton at July's 2025 Euro.
"I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed," Wiegman said after Earps's retirement news broke.
Hampton to lead new-look England goalkeeping core
Hampton, who shared the 2024/25 WSL Golden Glove with Manchester United's Phallon Tullis-Joyce — a top USWNT keeper prospect — will now take over as England's No. 1 net-minder, though the 24-year-old still lacks experience in a major tournament.
Playing behind Hampton will be 20-year-old Manchester City goalie Khiara Keating and 30-year-old Orlando Pride keeper Anna Moorhouse — who owns the NWSL's single-season shutouts record. Both have been club standouts, though neither has logged a cap for England.
As for Earps, her football journey will continue at the club level with PSG, with the now-former Lioness promising that "There's so much to still look forward to, and I have so much energy to continue to strive for greatness, to continue to learn and push myself to maximise every last ounce of potential I have."
FIFA confirmed that the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup will now kick off in 2028, officially delaying its original 2026 launch this week.
Instead, soccer's world governing body will introduce a new Champions Cup next year, with FIFA ratifying both events on Wednesday.
The alternate Champions Cup will be a smaller, six-club affair with winners from regional tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and Concacaf Champions League.
FIFA plans to make the Champions Cup an annual event set for every year that does not include the quadrennial Club World Cup.
While worldwide club tournaments are an exciting prospect, a crowded schedule, lack of secured funding, and little news of the proposed 19-team Club World Cup’s development prompted timing concerns as 2026 rapidly approaches.
Now kicking off in early 2028, the Club World Cup will initially begin with six top clubs representing the AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, the OFC, and UEFA. Those teams will take part in the play-in stage, where three winners will advance to the group stage.
Those three clubs must then contend with five directly qualified UEFA teams, plus two direct qualifiers each from CAF, CONMEBOL, AFC, and Concacaf.
While demand for increased global programming is spreading, FIFA’s delay underlines the logistical hurdles of creating new competitions — not to mention the strain they can cause athletes.
"FIFA needs to involve its stakeholders, like the NWSLPA and NWSL, for an event like this to reach its potential," NWSL Players Association executive director Meghann Burke told ESPN on Wednesday.
"Otherwise, they are hamstringing women's football yet again like they've done since time immemorial."
UK takes aim at 2027 FIFA World Cup
In other international soccer news, the UK announced Wednesday that the country is preparing a bid to host the 2035 FIFA World Cup, with England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland joining forces in an attempt to bring the sport’s biggest event to the United Kingdom.
England’s track record should make the bid particularly attractive after hosting the 2022 Euro to record-shattering attendance and global viewership success — and seeing the home side emerge victorious in the Lionesses first-ever major tournament win.
"Football is and always will be at the core of our country’s identity," said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, throwing the government's full support behind the bid.
"That pride was on full display when England hosted the Women’s Euro 2022. It not only showed the best of our nation to the world but inspired a generation of girls into the game, all whilst boosting the economy."
Should FIFA ultimately award the 2035 hosting duties to the UK, that tournament will mark the first World Cup hosted by the nation since the men's 1966 edition.
With Brazil set to host the 32-team 2027 World Cup and the US expected to lead a serious bid for the expanded 48-team 2031 edition, the FIFA Council officially recommended this week that either African or European nations serve as host for 2035.
The first matchday of the 2025 UEFA Nations League tournament saw a few regional heavy-hitters shaking off the dust on Friday, with reigning Euros champs England settling for a 1-1 draw against Portugal while perennial contenders Germany similarly split points with the Netherlands after a 2-2 result.
Snagging an early lead for the Lionesses was forward Alessia Russo, who slotted in a ball from right-back Lucy Bronze in the match's 15th minute.
Unfortunately for England, however, Portugal extended their undefeated streak to 11 games after attacking midfielder Kika Nazareth scored a top-corner equalizer at the 75th minute mark to clinch the draw.
Germany and the Netherlands, who claimed third- and fourth-place, respectively, in the tournament's inaugural 2023/24 edition, opened their 2025 campaigns with a back-and-forth battle on Friday.
After Dutch star Lineth Beerensteyn opened scoring by nutmegging German net-minder and 2024 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Ann-Katrin Berger in the 13th minute, Germany closed out the first half with an extra-time header from Lea Schüller to level the score.
The second half saw the Germans pull ahead thanks to a 50th-minute strike from Sjoeke Nüsken, before Beerensteyn again broke through with the match's final goal in the 66th minute.
After the match, new head coach Christian Wück, who took over the German team last March, told reporters, "We need to learn to maintain our focus, especially after taking the lead. It’s frustrating to draw after putting in such strong efforts."
Reigning champion Spain rallies for late comeback victory
Draws aside, defending Nations League winners Spain earned perhaps the wildest victory of the opening matchday, surging back from a 2-0 deficit against Belgium to claim all three points in a 3-2 finish.
The 2023 World Cup champions fell behind early after striker Mariam Toloba gave Belgium the edge in the game's 18th minute. Forward Tessa Wullaert doubled that lead in the 72nd minute, seemingly putting an emphatic end to Spain's hopes of a victory.
Clàudia Pina clawed one back for La Roja just five minutes later, but it took a pair of stoppage-time goals from Lucía García and late call-up Cristina Martín-Prieto to secure the literal last-second win.
Nations League to set up UEFA's 2027 World Cup qualifying
Established in 2022, the Women’s Nations League is now the continent’s qualifying tournament for the Euros, World Cup, and Olympics.
With records wiped following last year’s rollercoaster Olympic qualifiers, early Nations League matches now serve as a key window into the fast-approaching 2025 Euros — in addition to a heated competition in their own right.
On top of that, the outcome of this second-ever edition of the contest will determine teams' positioning for the 2026 European qualifiers for World Cup. Put simply, the finishing spots teams snag after 2025 Nations League play will determine their league paths to claiming one of UEFA's 11 available spots in the 2027 World Cup.
While there's a lot on the line, there's also a significant amount of action still to come. With four teams in each League A group, squads will play three round-robin home-and-away fixtures to determine their final group-play standings — meaning each of Friday's games have a rematch on the calendar before the stage ends on June 3rd.
The winners of the four League A groups will ultimately meet in the two-leg Nations League semifinals in October, with the two-leg third-place play-off and a final set for November and December.
On Thursday, US Soccer announced that the USWNT will cap off its 2024 campaign with a December 3rd friendly against the Netherlands in The Hague — the team's 23rd game this year.
The match comes three days after the US side's previously announced meeting with 2022 European champions and 2023 World Cup finalists England at London's iconic Wembley Stadium.
To stay the best, the USWNT will play the best
Following their gold medal-winning run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USWNT reclaimed their world No. 1 ranking. In order to stay there, head coach Emma Hayes noted, the team must seek out matches against other top international foes.
"It was a fantastic summer for our team, and we’re going to take a lot of great lessons and memories from our time in France, but now we are looking forward to continuing our process,” said Hayes.
"In order for our team to keep learning and growing, and for the coaching staff to continue to evaluate players, we need to play the best teams possible. Playing matches in Europe against some of the world’s top teams will be an important part of our journey."
With England sitting at No. 2 in the world and the Dutch at No. 11, this final 2024 road trip is exactly what the US boss ordered.
The Dutch are a familiar friendly foe
In their 11 previous meetings with the Netherlands, the USWNT has only lost once: a 4-3 defeat in their first-ever matchup in 1991. In the years since, the States have had the upper hand, logging eight wins and two draws.
The duo has ramped up the drama in their matches, though, facing each other in world championships in three of their last four bouts.
The USWNT's 2019 World Cup final win is arguably the team's most meaningful Dutch defeat, though recent tilts have appeared significantly tougher. While the US walked away with the win in the pair's 2021 Olympic quarterfinal, they needed penalty kicks to do so. And in the States's admittedly disappointing 2023 World Cup run, they played the Netherlands to a 1-1- draw in the group stage.
How to watch the USWNT's European friendlies
The US will take on England on November 30th at 12:20 PM ET. Their meeting with the Netherlands will kick off at 2:45 PM ET on December 3rd.
Both friendlies will air live on TNT, or you can stream the games via Max and Peacock.
As the U.S. women’s national team prepares for the 2023 World Cup, Just Women’s Sports is taking a look at its opponents — including its three group-stage adversaries and its likely matchups in the knockout rounds.
Next up is a recent foe and potential opponent in the 2023 World Cup final: England.
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
Fans of women’s soccer know the name Sarina Wiegman. The 53-year-old joined the club from the Netherlands, where she had been head coach from 2016-21 after a long international career as a player. Since taking over as manager in September 2021, Wiegman has led the club to its first-ever Euros title — a year after also winning it with the Netherlands — and to victory over Brazil in the first-ever women’s Finalissima. The 2022 Best FIFA Women’s Coach’s first loss as England coach came just this year, a 2-0 defeat in a friendly against Australia.
Key player: Mary Earps
England has a multitude of offensive and defensive weapons, but perhaps no player is more important than goalkeeper Mary Earps. The 30-year-old Manchester United keeper is the glue that holds the Lionesses together as they look to win their first-ever World Cup. Earps is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, becoming the first to reach 50 clean sheets in the WSL in May, and England will rely on her all tournament.
World Cup history
England has advanced to the knockout stage of every World Cup they’ve played in, including three quarterfinals appearances in 1995, 2007 and 2007 and a third-place finish in 2015. The Lionesses followed that up with a fourth-place finish in 2019 after the USWNT knocked them out of the semifinals, 2-1. England then lost to Sweden 2-1 in the third-place match.
Group stage schedule
England will play in Group D alongside Denmark, China and Haiti. Take a look at the schedule below, or check out the full World Cup schedule.
- Saturday, July 22 – 5:30 a.m. (FOX)
- England vs. Haiti
- Friday, July 28 – 4:30 a.m. (FS1)
- England vs. Denmark
- Tuesday, Aug. 1 – 7 a.m. (FOX)
- England vs. China
Keys to beat the USWNT
This England squad looks vastly different from the one that won Euros a year ago and beat the USWNT 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley last October. Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby are all out with injuries sustained in the last year, with Williamson perhaps the team’s biggest loss.
Despite the injuries, England is considered one of the favorites to win the World Cup title. And based on the bracket, if the USWNT is to meet England in the tournament, it will be in the final.
This is a team full of stars who have come into their own since winning the Euros title last year. Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway are dangerous midfielders, while Rachel Daly, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly provide England with a well-balanced attack up front. The team is anchored by Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright and Lotte Wubben-Moy on the backline and in front of Earps.
England has struggled to find its footing of late, taking a 2-0 loss to Australia and 0-0 draw with Portugal into the World Cup as their latest results. To beat the USWNT once again, they’ll look to follow a similar playbook as their win in October: strike early and attack often. They’ll also need to contain Sophia Smith, who had the USWNT’s lone goal in that game. The speed of the USWNT’s other attackers — Trinity Rodman, Lynn Williams and Alex Morgan — could also pose problems for England.
But if England can get rolling early, they’ll put the USWNT into a vulnerable position they don’t often find themselves in, needing to respond rather than attack.
The England’s women’s national team will not receive World Cup bonuses from its national federation following a breakdown in negotiations.
A new FIFA pay structure will see players directly compensated for the World Cup for the first time. But England’s Football Association has said it will not give its players bonus payments, The Times reported.
Instead, each player will receive just the FIFA payment, with every group-stage competitor receiving $30,000. The payments will increase with each stage; if England wins the tournament, each player on the Lionesses would receive $270,000.
While England players receive match fees for playing in international friendlies, they don’t receive such fees for major tournaments. Some national teams, including Germany, follow the same payment structure. But other teams, including the USWNT and Australia, will be paying out bonuses on top of the FIFA money.
According to The Times, players are set to push for additional bonuses to be put in place in the future, but negotiations for the World Cup began too late.
England players also are frustrated over a media “blackout,” which began at the start of England’s camp on June 19. According to players, the inability to participate in media opportunities has caused them to miss out on deals. And what deals they were able to negotiate were crammed into one week, or even in some cases one day.
English clubs are pushing back at national teams’ World Cup preparations, opting to release their players just 10 days before the tournament so they have more time to rest after their club seasons, the Telegraph reports.
The move follows FIFA regulations, which state that clubs are obliged to release their players for national team duty on July 10. But the proposed date comes weeks after many national team camps are scheduled to take place.
The European Club Association has told women’s national teams that players will not be available until the international window officially starts due to concerns about player welfare.
“The issue of early call-ups is a hangover from the game in its amateur form and is detrimental to the future success and growth of women’s football,” ECA head of women’s football Claire Bloomfield told the Telegraph. “They also generate a great deal of unnecessary tension in the relationship between clubs and their players.”
The ECA has also written to FIFA to ask for their support. As the list of injured women’s soccer stars continues to grow, the ECA believes that players need more rest and an actual offseason.
Many national teams had planned to start their training camps in mid-June, with the intention of traveling to Australia and New Zealand in early July to give their players time to get acclimated before games begin. England is currently scheduled to fly to Australia on July 5.
FIFA will compensate clubs for releasing their players after July 10.
“This is not a matter of financial compensation or the absence of adequate protection and insurance, but a serious concern for player welfare,” Bloomfield told the Telegraph. “We were given a very clear mandate by our member clubs, which includes engaging in constructive and direct communication with our key stakeholders and partners, and this will be our focus in the coming days.”
A number of high-profile stars have suffered injuries in recent months, including England captain Leah Williamson, England forward Beth Mead and Dutch star Vivianne Miedema are all out with ACL injuries. England defender Lucy Bronze also underwent a knee surgery this week that isn’t expected to keep her out of the World Cup.
The WSL is set to conclude on May 27, and the Women’s Champions League final will be played on June 3. England, Sweden, Denmark and Norway are said to be among the national teams requesting clubs to release players for a mid-June training camp start.
There is also concern over the World Cup’s Aug. 20 end date, which gives players very little time to rest before Champions League first-round qualifiers begin as early as Sept. 6. The 2023-24 WSL season then begins the final weekend of September, with another international break scheduled for mid-September.
The NWSL and the USWNT underwent a similar dispute in February ahead of the NWSL season, which has since been resolved.