England vs Sweden LIVE: Lionesses team news and line-ups ahead of Euro 2025 qualifier at Wembley

Sarina Wiegman says Leah Williamson is ‘excited’ to come back ahead of Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden

England take on Sweden at Wembley tonight in the first match of their qualifying campaign to reach the European Championships in 2025.

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

After a change to the qualifying format, the Lionesses will take on France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in order to claim one of two automatic qualification spots in Group A3.

England’s Euro defence begins at Wembley, the scene of their historic Euro 2022 victory, and with a rematch against Sweden. The Lionesses thrashed Sweden 4-0 in the Euro 2022 semi-finals, but they can be difficult to beat and finished third at last summer’s World Cup.

Follow all the live action from the Lionesses match at Wembley in the blog below

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How does Euro 2025 qualifying work? League format and play-off rounds explained

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

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

How do England qualify for Euro 2025?

England will play each other team in Group A3 twice, once at home and once away, across three international windows. In League A, the top two teams in each group will qualify automatically for the Euro 2025 finals, with the other two teams who finish third and fourth going through to the play-offs – even if they lose every game. It means at least one of France, England or Sweden, all semi-finalists at the last Euros, will be heading through to the play-offs.

Here’s how the Euro 2025 qualifying works…

Chris Wilson5 April 2024 16:15

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Early England team news

Captain Leah Williamson is set to return to the Lionesses for the first time in a year, with the Arsenal centre-back fit to start at least one of the two games ahead of fixtures 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 centre-back recovers from a knee injury.

Jamie Braidwood5 April 2024 16:02

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

England begin the defence 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 lifted their first major title as they won Euro 2022 in front of a sold-out Wembley with their historic extra-time victory over Germany.

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

Chris Wilson5 April 2024 16:00

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