The men's EURO is about to end another edition, with only Sunday's final left, while qualification for the 2025 women's EURO is nearing its climax. With two games to play, what does the outlook look like and which big names might not make it?
Already qualified:Germany, Spain, Switzerland (hosts).
Direct qualification is still possible: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden.
Confirmed playoffs: (League A) Poland, Republic of Ireland; (League B) Croatia, Portugal, Scotland, Serbia, Wales; (League C) Albania.
Read about how the playoffs work here.
League A
Every team in League A makes the playoffs, but for many it would be a sobering experience.
In Group A1The tightest of all, all four nations can still finish in the top two. The Netherlands need to beat Italy to seal an automatic spot in the opening set of matches on Friday but are still in a long-term transition period following the departure of former coach Sarina Weigman after finishing as runners-up at the 2019 World Cup. Having been hit by a steady string of injuries and retired players in recent years, the Dutch are still trying to find a winning formula but have all-time leading scorer Vivianne Miedema available again and it is in their grasp. Former European powerhouse Norway will be favourites for the second automatic spot if they beat Finland as they look to regain their supremacy.
Reigning world champions Spain have continued to dominate women's football in Europe. After winning the UEFA Nations League in February and booking their place at the upcoming Olympic Games, they are now assured of a place at Euro 2025 with two games to spare. in group A2Denmark can qualify in second place if they beat Belgium on Friday, who beat England during the Nations League but have struggled to advance and their inconsistency leaves them in a period of uncertainty. Czech Republic's addition to the top flight appears to have come too soon for a team still trying to find its place among the biggest European teams and are likely to finish last.
In Group A3one of France, England or Sweden will go into the playoffs. All three are giants of the game and it would be a significant blow to their confidence heading into the tournament. With several key players back for France, such as Marie-Antoinette Katoto after injury, The Blues They can book their place with a home win against Sweden on Friday. But Sweden are starting to look like their old selves and two big performances could change everything.
Sweden and England meet on Tuesday and, with both teams level on points, there is guaranteed to be something at stake. After a difficult start to 2025 qualifying and a poor Nations League campaign, the Lionesses may need to win both games to finish in the top two. Automatic qualification would give them a boost, which they desperately need if they are to retain their title.
Meanwhile, after four consecutive defeats, the Republic of Ireland are back in League B and while it was a great feat for them to compete alongside Europe's top 16 teams, their rapid decline shows that their rise may not have been as sustainable as first thought.
In group A4Germany are rebuilding as one of Europe’s top teams after a shock last-16 exit at last year’s World Cup. After finishing third in the Nations League, the Euro 2022 runners-up have already booked their place at Euro 2025 with four wins from four games and their Olympic campaign will show how ready they are to compete. Second place is between Iceland and Austria, but both have to play Germany, so Iceland are likely to win as they have a three-point lead and face already-relegated Poland in the final game. — Emily Keogh
League B
League B, a mix of teams not quite good enough to compete with Europe's best in League A but clearly a step ahead of the continent's laggards in League C, has shown some unpredictability this cycle.
The top three teams in each group will advance to the playoffs, along with the best fourth-placed team.
In Group B1Heavyweights and Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland (they qualify automatically) have shown some weaknesses as they look to find some balance under veteran manager Pia Sundhage, but they still lead the table. Although Turkey were expected to be the team to pose the biggest questions The Nati It was Hungary who claimed a win over the group leaders last month. Even lowly Azerbaijan put in a couple of good performances against Turkey in June to give themselves a chance. Now all the remaining matches have a degree of intrigue, with playoffs, promotion and relegation all factors to consider.
Scotland and Serbia take the top spots Group B2 Slovakia have 10 points and are assured of the play-off. The winners of their second meeting, in Glasgow next Tuesday, will clinch promotion (although if the game ends in a draw, the goal difference is so tight that first place could be decided by fair play points), so both teams can expect big wins on Friday. Slovakia, who have largely disappointed in this qualifying campaign, will be looking to close their season strongly when they face Israel, probably needing a point to clinch a play-off place and avoid relegation, but most eyes will be on the group leaders.
As Portugal look for a quick return to League A, with four wins from four games and needing a point to secure it, Group B3 In reality, all three teams have been trying to improve their fortunes. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland and Malta have all picked up points, but Bosnia and Herzegovina are in a better position and Malta look set to return to League C. However, that could all change as Northern Ireland host Bosnia in Belfast on Tuesday night.
In Group B4, Wales are already in the group stages but will want to show confidence against table-toppers Croatia (also in the group stages), whom they comfortably beat 4-0 on Matchday 1 in April. Wales will likely need to win that game to have a chance of promotion, before finishing at home to Kosovo. Ukraine can claim their own group place if they avoid defeat to relegated Kosovo. Sophie Lawson
C League
The four group winners qualify for the playoffs, along with the three best second-placed teams.
Belarus clearly occupies the top Group C1 and are assured of the play-off, they will seal promotion if they avoid defeat to Georgia on Friday. Lithuania have a chance to try for a play-off, as they play away to Cyprus before hosting second-placed Georgia. It will be the first time since April that 104th-ranked Lithuania will play two qualifying matches in the same window, having lost both games to Belarus in protest at their opponents' involvement in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Slovenia has Group C2 Play-offs and promotion are assured with an away win against Moldova on Friday. Second-placed North Macedonia should be able to confirm their second place (and a possible play-off spot) with at least a draw against Latvia on Friday. The game ended 4-3 in favour of the Macedonians when the two met for the first time in Riga in April and the game in Skopje may provide some fireworks.
Group C3 The result is much tighter, as Montenegro and Greece drew in May and are tied on 10 points apiece. The two nations meet in Podgorica on the final day and, although both will be fighting for top spot, Montenegro (who have scored 18 goals in four games) will be the favourites. However, Greece may need a big win on Friday at home to Andorra (who have conceded 18 goals) to reduce the goal difference, should Tuesday's game end in a draw. Whoever finishes second looks certain to take a play-off spot.
In Group C4Romania have an impeccable record, keeping four clean sheets in four of their four games, and will be promoted with a draw at Kazakhstan on Friday. The main interest lies with the other three teams, who have been evenly matched. Despite being the lowest-ranked nation in the group (143rd), Armenia are second, but face tough games against Bulgaria (in Yerevan) and Romania (in Bucharest). After a frustrating campaign, with three defeats by a single goal, Kazakhstan may be the team to watch, but they really need to get a result against Romania.
In the only group of three teams, Group C5Albania have already been promoted as group winners and are now in the play-offs. Luxembourg and Estonia will meet twice: first in southern Luxembourg and then in Tartu four days later. Although they are a few places behind Estonia, the Red Lionesses' surprise win over Albania on Matchday 1 has given the small nation a chance of securing a play-off spot, although they may need to win both at home and away. SL
