England vs Sweden LIVE: Lionesses team news and finals ahead of Euro 2025 qualifiers at Wembley

England take on Sweden at Wembley tonight in the first game of their campaign to qualify for the 2025 European Championship.

As the defending champions, England’s road to Euro 2025 will not be as straightforward as their comfortable World Cup qualifying path, which included a 20-0 humiliation of Latvia.

Following a change to the qualifying format, the Lionesses will battle France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland to claim one of two automatic qualification points in Group A3.

England’s Euro defense begins at Wembley, the site of their historic Euro 2022 win, and with a play-off against Sweden. The Lionesses beat Sweden 4-0 in the Euro 2022 semi-finals, but they can be hard to beat and finished third at the World Cup last summer.

Follow all the live action from the Lionesses’ game at Wembley in the blog post below

England vs Sweden LIVE: The latest updates for the Euro 2025 qualifiers

England host Sweden as the road to Euro 2025 begins, with an 8pm kick-off at Wembley
European champions England face Sweden, France and Ireland in a tough qualifying group
England team news: Lionesses captain Leah Williamson to return from injury

Grace Clinton is excited to lead England’s European Championship qualifiers

17:20 , Chris Wilson

One player who is particularly excited about the start of the Euro qualifying campaign is Grace Clinton.

The England midfielder is excited to “hit the ground running” as the Lionesses begin their European Championship qualification campaign this week.

The defending European champions kick off against Sweden at Wembley on Friday before taking on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin four days later.

England then play France at St James’ Park in May and Tottenham loanee Clinton believes the side must be “excellent”.

Grace Clinton is excited to lead England’s European Championship qualifiers

Sarina Wiegman gives Leah Williamson a fitness update ahead of England’s Euro 2025 qualifiers

17:05 , Chris Wilson

England manager Sarina Wiegman has given an update on the fitness of Euro-winning captain Leah Williamson.

Williamson trained alone on Tuesday after coming off at half-time of Arsenal’s Conti Cup final win over Chelsea on Sunday.

But she trained with the group on Wednesday and if she gets through Thursday’s session unscathed she will be in contention to make her first international appearance in 12 months as the Lionesses begin their qualification campaign.

She has not featured for her country since suffering an ACL injury last April, after pulling out of the training squad in March with a hamstring strain.

“We have to manage it a little bit. She had a full training session on Wednesday, she’ll be on the field today (Thursday), so it’s looking really good,” Wiegman said.

Wiegman gives Williamson a fitness update on the eve of Euro 2025 qualifiers

Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland accused of ‘scandalous’ funding cuts

16:50 , Chris Wilson

The Swiss government has been warned that the growing momentum in women’s football in Europe risks being halted after the “scandalous” decision to cut funding for Euro 2025.

In 2008, Switzerland was supported in co-hosting the men’s European Championships with a package of £71m (82m Swiss Francs) from its Federal Council, but the amount allocated for the women’s tournament next summer was reduced to £3.5m . (4m Swiss Franc).

Euro 2025 takes place in Switzerland after Euro 2022 in England, where the Lionesses defeated Germany in the final in front of a sold-out Wembley at the end of a four-week tournament that achieved several attendance records.

But with qualification for Euro 2025 starting this week ahead of the tournament’s finals next July, Switzerland’s ability to support the growth of women’s football is in doubt after government funding has been cut due to cost-cutting measures.

Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland accused of ‘scandalous’ funding cuts

Lionesses face ‘group of death’ and calendar chaos as road to Euro 2025 begins

16:35 , Chris Wilson

Tonight will be England’s first game in what has been dubbed the ‘group of death’.

England must now face France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland to even qualify for the Euros. Worry not for Ireland, who have reached three of the world’s top five and will play three of the four semi-finals from their record-breaking Euro 2022 success.

That is, after all, what the Lionesses are out to emulate. It makes sense, however, that Uefa would adopt the Nations League model for its European Championship qualifiers. Nobody likes one-sided victories, and in the case of the 20-0 against Latvia, England’s biggest ever defeat on their way to qualifying for the World Cup. But as England experienced in their Nations League campaign last December, which also worked as Olympic qualifiers, the margins are much narrower as the quality of the opposition improves.

Only two teams from England’s group will qualify automatically, although the Lionesses would be confident of securing a play-off spot even if they finish in the bottom two of their group. But, amid the danger, the Lionesses have six good games to look forward to, starting with a play-off against Sweden at Wembley, the Swedes out for revenge after the 4-0 defeat at the hands of England. and Alessia’s heels. Russo’s victory in the Euro semi-final.

Lionesses face ‘group of death’ and calendar chaos as road to Euro 2025 begins

How does Euro 2025 qualification work? Explains the format of the series and the playoffs

16:15 , Chris Wilson

England begin their European Championship defense as Euro 2025 qualifiers get underway – but the Lionesses will face a ‘group of death’ on the road to Switzerland.

The Lionesses beat Germany to win Euro 2022 in front of a sold-out Wembley and will be looking to reach another major tournament after their run to the final of the Women’s World Cup last year.

But changes to the format of the European Qualifiers will make it a challenge for Sarina Wiegman’s side to reach the finals of Euro 2025, at least compared to their one-sided victories in qualifying for the last World Cup.

How do England qualify for Euro 2025?

England will play their other teams in Group A3 twice, once at home and once away, over three international windows. In Serie A, the top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the Euro 2025 finals, with the other two teams finishing third and fourth going through to the play-offs – even if they lose each game. It means that at least one of France, England or Sweden, each semi-finalist at the last Euros, will progress to the play-offs.

Here’s how Euro 2025 qualifying works…

How does Euro 2025 qualification work? Explains the format of the series and the playoffs

England team news soon

16:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Captain Leah Williamson is set to return to the Lionesses for the first time in a year, with the Arsenal centre-back set to start at least one of the two games ahead of matches against Sweden tonight and Ireland on Tuesday.

Midfielder Grace Clinton impressed in England’s two wins over Italy and Austria in February and could start in midfield.

Goalkeeper Khiara Keating has returned to Manchester City due to a knee injury, while Millie Bright is not in the squad as the goalkeeper recovers from a knee injury.

Is England vs Sweden on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Lionesses tonight

16:00 , Chris Wilson

England begin the defense of their European crown as the Lionesses return to Wembley to face Sweden in the opening game of the Euro 2025 qualifiers.

Sarina Wiegman’s side won their first major title when they won Euro 2022 in front of a sold-out Wembley with their historic extra-time win over Germany.

England managed to land in the ‘group of death’ in qualifying and will compete for two automatic spots along with Sweden, France and the Republic of Ireland.

The match kicks off at 8pm BST at Wembley. It will be shown on ITV 1 and online on ITV X, with coverage starting at 7:30pm.

Is England vs Sweden on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Lionesses tonight