England have a major opportunity to lay down a marker ahead of the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro in Switzerland next summer.
The Lionesses are the current holders of the trophy having defeated Germany in the final at Wembley in 2022. However, the last couple of years under Sarina Wiegman have been far less straightforward as they were beaten by Spain in the 2023 World Cup final and failed to qualify for the Olympics this summer.
Team GB's absence from the tournament in France was a result of England's inability to progress from their Nations League group, finishing second behind the Netherlands in League A. This summer, full focus was instead on their Euro qualifying campaign and they booked their place at the finals next year by finishing second in their group behind France.
Now, the draw for the second ever edition of the Nations League has been made and England have been placed in one of the most difficult groups. They will take on the holders, Spain, as well as Belgium and Portugal.
The matchdays will take place in the three international windows in February, April and May-June ahead of the Euros in July. This means England will face Spain both home and away before a ball is kicked at another major tournament.
England and Spain, along with the likes of Germany, France and the Netherlands, will be among the favourites to secure the trophy next year. But the Lionesses are the current European champions, while Spain are the reigning world champions.
Wiegman's side were narrowly beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in the summer of 2023. It was an agonising 1-0 loss at Stadium Australia in Sydney that not only delivered a devastating blow to England's progress, but catapulted Spain to the very top of the game. They have been a force to be reckoned with ever since and were crowned champions of the first ever women's Nations League earlier this year.
Their performance at the Olympics, however, was underwhelming at best, missing out on a bronze medal to Germany. But confidence will still be high for Montse Tome's side as they look to add further silverware next year.
For England, it is not only the perfect opportunity to enact revenge on one of their rivals, but an ideal chance to make a statement ahead of the Euros. Recent results haven't been perfect, not least the defeat to Germany during the last international break, but the Lionesses now have an opportunity to pitch themselves against one of the world's best in a competitive fixture ahead of a major tournament.
The winners of the four League A groups will then contest the UEFA Nations League finals later in 2025. The draw will take place in June, with the semi-finals and final to be contested in the first two international breaks of the 2025/26 season.
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