The German Women’s National Team faces a challenging group in the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship, competing against Poland, Denmark, and Sweden in Switzerland. The matches are scheduled from July 4 to July 12. National coach Christian Wück emphasized the need for caution, while sports director Nia Künzer acknowledged the strength of their opponents. The tournament features significant financial incentives and marks the introduction of women’s teams in the UEFA Nations League. Additionally, Germany aims to host the 2029 European Championship.
German Women’s National Team Faces Tough Opponents in 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship
The draw for the Women’s European Championship 2025 has placed the German national team in a competitive group. The DFB squad will encounter formidable opponents: Poland, Denmark, and Sweden. These matches are scheduled to take place in Switzerland, with the first game against Poland set for July 4 at 9:00 PM in St. Gallen, followed by a clash with Denmark on July 8 at 6:00 PM in Basel, and concluding with a match against Sweden on July 12 at 9:00 PM in Zurich. This information was disclosed on December 16, 2024, during the event held at the Swiss Convention Center in Lausanne, with UEFA expected to release the complete match schedule shortly.
Insights from the National Coach and Sports Director
National coach Christian Wück expressed his thoughts on the draw, stating, “This is certainly a challenging group, and any team that qualifies for the European Championship poses a significant threat. While it could have been tougher, we must approach each match with caution.” Sports director Nia Künzer echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the strength of their opponents, particularly Denmark and Sweden, both recognized as successful nations in women’s football. Künzer noted, “We also faced Poland during the European Championship qualifiers and the Nations League, and they proved to be a formidable challenge.”
The tournament will showcase four groups, each featuring four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals, ultimately leading to the final. Matches will be hosted across eight venues in Switzerland, with the opening match between Switzerland and Norway taking place at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, where the final will also be held on July 27.
As teams compete, they have the opportunity to earn financial rewards, with 50,000 euros for a draw and 100,000 euros for a win in the group stage. The total prize pool for the tournament is set at 41 million euros, significantly higher than the 16 million euros awarded in the previous European Championship. UEFA mandates that associations must distribute 30 to 40 percent of these earnings to players, increasing to at least 35 percent in the knockout rounds.
In an unprecedented move, the UEFA Nations League will also feature women’s teams, although its format will differ from men’s, enhancing its importance. Additionally, the summer of 2025 will see the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup with 32 teams, which may overshadow the Women’s European Championship. Scheduled to conclude on July 15, just after the group stage of the European Championship, this tournament will include renowned clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Looking ahead, the DFB is vying to host the 2029 European Championship, facing competition from countries such as Italy, Portugal, and a joint bid from Denmark and Sweden. Interested associations must submit preliminary application documents by March 12, 2025, with a final deadline for legal documentation set for August 28, 2025. The chosen host will be announced by UEFA’s Executive Committee in December 2025.
In preparation for the European Championship, 17 German cities are in contention to host matches. Previously, the DFB, along with the Netherlands and Belgium, bid for the 2027 World Cup but lost to Brazil. For the 2025 tournament, 16 teams will participate, with nine having qualified directly, including host nation Switzerland and title holders England, among others. Austria failed to qualify after losing in the playoffs, while Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Wales, Finland, and Portugal secured their spots.