Spain lead the way as game sees balance of power shift

This could be the summer where women's football in Europe finally completes a rise over the US, writes Miguel Delaney

- Miguel Delaney

As 16 squads travel to Switzerland with hope, amid all of the usual excitement that invigorates any tournament's giddy build-up, there is an unusual concern well away from Euro 2025. Figures within the American women’s game insist they are worried about a distinctive power shift in terms of playing talent. The States may not be consistently producing the best any more.

While so much of the women’s game is constantly framed by questions about growth, these Euros could genuinely represent a historic landmark; a moment. This could be the summer where Europe finally completes a rise over the USA, as the new centre of power for the women’s game. The matches themselves may well end up as testament to that.

There were already signs at the 2023 World Cup, beyond just the identity of the champions. Spain are still the best team in the world, looking a level above anything we’ve ever seen in the women’s international game in terms of tactical sophistication.

They are naturally favourites for this competition, having already beaten the defending European champions in that 2023 final, in England. Despite that recent record, there are now genuine concerns that Sarina Wiegman’s side could go out in the group stage, which only speaks to Euro 2025’s strength in depth. Spain and England were among five European sides in the 2023 quarter-finals, following on from seven in 2019, amid a huge rise in overall quality.

Of course, football isn’t just about such hard facts. It’s about how it makes you feel. Euro 2025 is bursting with exhilarating talent, led by Spain’s Aitana Bonmati. She is among a number of players you would just want to watch, from established stars in her own team and England’s Lauren James, to burgeoning players such as France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Switzerland is going to see real depth of pure football ingenuity.