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Who will win Euro 2025? BBC pundits make their predictions
The Women’s Euro 2025 tournament commences on Wednesday in Thun, culminating in Basel on Sunday, 27 July.
Defending champions England are among the 16 teams vying for the title, with 31 matches scheduled across 26 days.
Which nation will emerge victorious? Who are considered the frontrunners? And what are the prospects for England and Wales, who find themselves in Group D alongside France and the Netherlands?
BBC Sport’s broadcast team of presenters and analysts offer their insights and predictions for the tournament in Switzerland.
Former England captain Steph Houghton: My picks are Spain or Germany… Spain, as the current World Cup holders, boast exceptional talents such as Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, and Claudia Pina. Germany, under new management [Christian Wuck], have navigated a transitional phase and demonstrated impressive form over the past year.
England’s record women’s goalscorer Ellen White: I firmly believe that England is capable of defeating any opponent on their day. Their squad is brimming with talent. While there are other formidable teams, we possess a gifted group that I believe can secure the win.
Former England midfielder/defender Anita Asante: Germany are making quiet progress. Their storied history and legacy of success in this competition suggest a potential resurgence.
England’s most-capped international Fara Williams: I am torn between Germany and Spain. Ultimately, I lean towards Spain, buoyed by their World Cup triumph and sustained momentum. Their squad depth and the quality of their players are arguably unmatched in the tournament.
Former England defender Alex Scott: I am backing England. Despite Spain being the favourites, the backdrop of retirements and player absences can sometimes galvanise a team. I hope England defy expectations and retain the trophy.
Ex-Manchester City and England U21 defender Nedum Onuoha: It’s difficult to overlook Spain, given their status as world champions and the inconsistencies displayed by numerous teams in this European campaign. Spain’s inherent quality makes them a formidable opponent.
Former Wales striker Helen Ward: Spain are the team to beat. Their balance, talent, and emerging young players make them the clear favourites.
Former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon: Spain, as World Cup champions, are a truly exceptional team. The core of the Barcelona squad, particularly their midfield trio, poses a significant challenge. They are an exciting team to watch, with diverse attacking threats across the pitch.
Alex Scott: England face a challenging group, but I foresee them progressing all the way to the final. Hopefully, we will be celebrating their trophy win once again.
Nedum Onuoha: I am confident that England will advance from their group, potentially finishing at the top. However, I anticipate a semi-final defeat against Spain. Ultimately, anything is possible.
Anita Asante: England are in a tough group, but we trust Sarina’s leadership. I believe they can reach the final. Despite retirements and withdrawals, this could be an opportunity for the next generation to step up and seize the moment. If they navigate the group stage, anything is achievable.
Fara Williams: I am hoping for an England victory in the final. I foresee England and France progressing from their group, with England ideally finishing first to avoid a quarter-final clash with Germany.
Steph Houghton: I expect England to reach the final. Despite a challenging group with diverse opponents, I have faith in the squad’s quality and depth, particularly in the forward positions. I predict an England-Spain final.
Danny Gabbidon: As a Welshman, I hope England do not progress too far. They are a talented team and the current champions. Despite recent changes, they are expected to be contenders. Behind Spain, they are the second-best team.
Helen Ward: I anticipate England will progress from the group stage, given their status as holders and one of the favourites. I would not be surprised to see them advance deep into the tournament.
Helen Ward: Wales’ potential is limitless. The opening game against the Netherlands presents an opportunity to surprise their opponents and exceed expectations. Their team boasts fantastic talent, Welsh grit, and determination. They are the ultimate underdog, distinguished by the dragon on their badge and flag.
Danny Gabbidon: Realistically, given that this is Wales’ first tournament, progressing from the group would be a significant achievement, akin to the men’s Euro 2016 qualification. The group is undeniably challenging, making advancement a magnificent feat.
Nedum Onuoha: Wales face an uphill battle, having been drawn into a group with the Netherlands, France, and England. They are the underdogs in each match. While I anticipate a victory, it may not be sufficient to progress from the group stage. Their games, especially against England, will be fiercely contested. A strong start could see them vying for a knockout spot in their final game, but I do not expect them to advance.
Fara Williams: I am rooting for Wales and supporting the growth of our home nations in their first tournament. However, I foresee them exiting in the group stages, likely finishing at the bottom. Regardless, they will fight valiantly. Having played alongside several Welsh players, I know how much their country means to them.
Alex Scott: Their qualification for their first major tournament is momentous. I hope they can be a dark horse and surprise France and the Netherlands.
Steph Houghton: Wales face a tough challenge, but their qualification is a remarkable achievement. Competing against experienced teams at the highest level will be difficult. However, I believe in the Welsh side’s resilience and potential for a surprise.
Anita Asante: History suggests that newcomers to major competitions often prioritise gaining experience. Few teams progress from the group stage in their debut tournament. Wales have been unfortunate to draw highly ranked, experienced teams. While they may struggle to progress, their fearlessness and underdog status could lead to surprises. I am hopeful for their success.
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Ellen White: France could be a dark horse. Despite underperforming in recent major tournaments, their squad possesses exceptional talent, blending youth and experience. I am eager to see their performance and team composition.
Nedum Onuoha: While Sweden may not be among the highest-ranked teams, their consistent performances in major international tournaments make them a formidable opponent. I would not be surprised to see them surpass expectations.
Fara Williams: Switzerland have talented individual players and the advantage of home support. A strong home crowd can be a significant asset. They have an experienced manager [Pia Sundhage] who will balance the excitement of home support with maintaining focus. They are in a favourable group.
Steph Houghton: Sweden could be a dark horse. They are often overlooked but consistently reach the latter stages of major tournaments, leveraging their experienced players.
Helen Ward: Wales are going to surprise at the tournament with their heart, passion, desire, togetherness, a real case of the true underdog. The biggest thing is the passion. They are going to give it absolutely everything and leave nothing out there.
Anita Asante: Norway’s squad is exceptional on paper, but they have struggled in recent Euros. This could be the tournament where everything clicks into place.
Danny Gabbidon: I was impressed by Italy in the Nations League. They played excellent football, were well-organised, and posed a threat from set-pieces. I expect them to surprise a few people.
Alex Scott: I am backing Sweden, expecting them to progress from the group stage. They exhibit remarkable resilience. One to keep an eye on and you can you call Sweden a dark horse? They are always there or thereabouts.
Ellen White: Alessia Russo had a great season and is very influential for England, not just for scoring goals but her work ethic, her runs, her selflessness. I don’t want to put too much pressure on her because if she doesn’t win the Golden Boot but England win the Euros then great. But I think she has had a great season. It could be someone random, but I hope it’s Alessia Russo.
Helen Ward: Claudia Pina has been in fantastic form for Barcelona and Spain. She doesn’t always start, but she comes on and makes a big impact. She has an eye for goal, she is young, exciting, talented and she is in absolutely flying form at the moment.
Danny Gabbidon: Alessia Russo had a fantastic season for Arsenal with more than 20 goals. She is a Champions League winner and comes into this tournament full of confidence. She is going to be the one leading the line for England and with the quality players around her creating chances you would expect her to be there or thereabouts for the Golden Boot and you would expect England to go deep in the tournament which helps with that.
Anita Asante: Seeing as I have picked Germany as potential winners I’m going to have to pick Klara Buhl.
Fara Williams: I’d love Alessia Russo to win it if she can carry on that form. If England get all the way, Russo wins it. If not, I’m going with Pina.
Nedum Onuoha: I’m going to go for Claudia Pina. Whether or not she starts is not guaranteed, but you have seen the quality of her finishing and the impact she can have and the clinical nature she has, I think she is going to be a big part of their success.
Steph Houghton: Hopefully Alessia Russo is the Golden Boot winner. That is what I want.
Alex Scott: It could be between Alessia Russo and Esther Gonzalez for Spain.
Steph Houghton: Claudia Pina is the next big superstar from Spain to go alongside Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati. She will score goals, she loves to dribble at people and cause problems and she is very quick. I would have my eye on her for sure. She might not start all the time, but in terms of impact, what she can bring to that Spain team and how they play, I feel as though she can be influential.
Nedum Onuoha: I’m going to say Michelle Agyemang. I think Sarina Wiegman has seen her quality and given how tough England’s games will be throughout the tournament, she could be someone that comes on and makes a difference towards the end of matches when people are tired and people are playing against her probably for the first time on most of these occasions. With the quality she has, she can definitely be the spark.
Anita Asante: If Grace Clinton gets a chance it could be her tournament. Otherwise I’d like to see Aggie Beever-Jones break through and show everybody what we already know. She has had an exceptional season, her goal-to-minutes ratio is ridiculous in the WSL. She can be England’s Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly from the last tournament.
Fara Williams: We saw what Claudia Pina did for Spain when she came off the bench against England in the recent Nations League game. She is not a regular starter in the Spanish team, but I think she will work her way into the starting XI.
Helen Ward: Wales’ Carrie Jones could have a breakout tournament. She is a young talent that plays in Sweden for her club side. That has brought her game on a lot. She might not start every game for Wales but she can have an impact.
Alex Scott: There are a few young players that we need to keep an eye on. This could be a breakout tournament for [Spain teenager] Vicky Lopez. When you look at the Spanish team they are stacked and Aitana Bonmati is just class with her elegance on the ball. Everyone is going to be watching her glide and control the midfield like she normally does.
Danny Gabbidon: My must-watch player would be Lauren Hemp. I know she is just off the back of a long-term injury but she is one of those players that gets bums off seats. Her ability to create goals, score goals, dribble, go past players. She has a fantastic left foot and is capable of those magic moments.