England are hosting a major international soccer tournament this summer for the first time in 17 years, as Women’s Euro 2022 is at the center of what promises to be a competition like the women’s game has never seen before.
Attendance records will be shattered during the event, with the cumulative attendance of the previous Euros in Holland in 2017 (240,045) likely to more than double this summer – with at least 500,000 tickets expected to be sold by the time the first ball was kicked.
On the field, the Lionesses will seek to lift their first major trophy ever, and England’s first for a men’s or women’s team in 56 years, as one of the top contenders in a wide open race.
However, the competition will be fiercely competitive with France, Olympic finalists Sweden, bookmakers’ favorite Spain, holders Holland and eight-time winners Germany also among an extensive list of credible challengers.
Telegraph Sport’s complete guide to the 16 teams describes the managers, star players and probable fortunes of all the nations that believe this summer.
Group A
England
- head coach: sarina wiegman
- Captain: Leah Williamson
- Best Euro performance: Runners-up (1984 and 2009)
- Euro 2017 result: semi-finalist
- World Rankings: 8th
- predicted finish: Wenners
Who is their coach? After leading her homeland, Holland, to glory at the most recent Euros in 2017 and to a World Cup final in 2019, Sarina Wiegman is one of the most respected coaches in the sport and is on a mission to win more silverware win. The two-time winner of the Best Fifa Coach Award is set to lose another match in charge of England.
Who is their star player? Lauren Hemp, who has been named the PFA Young Player of the Year four times, will lighten up this tournament and could end the summer as a household name. The Manchester City wing is a special talent and will entertain fans with her pace and tricks along the left wing.
How do they play? England have deployed a 4-3-3 system under Wiegman, but it is usually adapted into something resembling a 4-2-3-1 with Manchester City’s Keira Walsh and Arsenal’s Leah Williamson running in a double hub of players deployed in midfield. They play from behind, on the floor, and their biggest threats come on the flanks, with Lauren Hemp on the left and options that include Beth Mead or Chloe Kelly on the right wing.
Best pointless statistics: Midfielder Jill Scott (35) is the longest-serving international player in their team, having made her senior international debut in August 2006. This summer’s tournament will be the 10th of Scott’s career, including two Olympics.
Chances of victory in four words: It’s their time.
Norway
- Manager: Martin Sjögren
- Captain: Maren Mjelde
- Best Euro performance: Winners (1987 and 1993)
- Euro 2017 results: Group stage exit
- World Rankings: 11th
- predicted finish: quarterfinals
Who is their coach? Martin Sjogren has been in charge of Norway since December 2016 and oversaw the run-up to the quarter-finals of the last World Cup – where they were knocked out by England – following a disappointing exit in the group stage of Euro 2017. He held the post got after impressing when he led Linkopings to the Swedish title with a team with current Chelsea stars Pernille Harder and Magdalena Erikssson.
Who is their star player? Lyon superstar Ada Hegerberg is back in the Norway squad after a five-year absence after retiring from her national team in 2017 to protest against an alleged lack of respect for female players. Her return in April, which followed positive talks with the newly elected president of the Norwegian FA, Lise Klaveness, came just in time for her to shine at these Euros. She is the Women’s Champions League’s record shooter of all time with 59 goals.
How do they play? Norway have largely lined up in a 4-3-3 formation during qualifying, and Barcelona wing Caroline Graham Hansen will be highly dangerous. Several of the group will be known to women’s Super League viewers, including Chelsea duo Guro Reiten and Maren Mjelde, Arsenal’s Frida Maanum, Manchester City – wide player Julie Blakstad and Manchester United pair Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa.
Best pointless statistics: Former England interim head coach and team GB, Hege Riise, is Norway’s record-breaking 188-match appearance.
Chances of victory in four words: Talented, but not likely.
Northern Ireland
- Manager: Kenny Shiels
- Captain: Marissa Callaghan
- Best Euro performance: first appearance
- Euro 2017 result: NVT
- World Rankings: 47th
- predicted finish: Group stage exit
Who is their coach? Former Kilmarnock men’s manager Kenny Shiels has earned praise for overseeing Northern Ireland’s first qualification for a major tournament, but has also caused much controversy. He received heavy criticism for saying that women are “more emotional than men” and therefore concede goals quickly in a row, following a defeat against England in April. Shiels, 66, apologized for the remarks and was publicly supported by the group.
Who is their star player? Liverpool midfielder Rachel Furness had an excellent career in England with successful outings at clubs including Sunderland and Reading, before helping the Merseyside club win promotion to the WSL last season.
How do they play? Against England in April, Northern Ireland sat deep with five over their backs and tried to limit space for their opponents, but they will have to take far more risks against Austria and Norway in their first two games in this group if they want to. any chance of going through. However, achieving any results would be a big shock for a team that only started training full-time in January and hit above their weight.
Best pointless statistics: Southampton, the host city for all three of Northern Ireland’s group matches, produced the first winners of the 1971 Women’s FA Cup.
Chances of victory in four words: Did well to qualify.