Wales must embrace tough Euro 2025 group

Wales must embrace being drawn in one of Euro 2025's toughest groups according to three of their former international players and a former Wales manager.

Wales' women were drawn in group D of Euro 2025 – their first major tournament – where they will face England, Netherlands and France, nations ranked fourth, 10th and 11th in the world standings.

As the lowest ranked side in the competition, Wales' prospects are already being written off, but several of their former players believe they can cause surprises in Switzerland.

Wales' star player Jess Fishlock and coach Rhian Wilkinson have already expressed confidence that Wales can shock people in July and former Wales forward Gwennan Harries says she thinks pundits will write-off Wilkinson's side at their own peril.

"We're making history and I think the enjoyment part will be the most important thing," Harries told BBC Sport.

"Let's see what we can do. We always do well when we are underdogs so I think a lot of people will underestimate us."

Former Wales defender Nia Jones says it will be other nations' mistake if they take Wales' threat lightly.

"If you think of it from the other teams perspectives in the group I'm absolutely sure they'll have looked at little old Wales in there and thought that 'that's just an easy three points,' and that's the best possible position for Wales to be in," Jones explained.

"You know, it's tough for all teams and to compete there you've got to play three tough games in close succession so maybe they'll look to field some of their fringe players in that match against Wales, which will absolutely play into our hands."

Another former Wales player, Kath Morgan, says she believes Wales can surprise people, especially in the match against France, the only side Wales will face who have never won a major tournament.

"France have so many individual talents within the team, but we're never sure which France turns up," said Morgan.

"Sometimes they are excellent and sometimes they're just poor. I'm not worried about playing France, I think we could organise ourselves enough to beat them.

"Netherlands are a very young team, they've restructured over the last year or so. They're going to be dangerous but inexperienced at this stage so that could help us."

Group D coaches (L-R) Laurent Bonadei, head coach of France, Jon Grey, assistant coach of Wales, Sarina Wiegman, head coach of England and Andries Jonker, head coach of Netherlands were all at Monday's draw in Switzerland.

'Gutted' to play England, but 'great game' for Euros

There is no doubt that the contest against England, ranked fourth in the world and the defending champions, is likely to draw attention and Harries and Morgan admit Sarina Wiegman's side were a nation they hoped to avoid.

"Obviously, I am a little bit gutted to have England in the group but I would've taken being there to play them over not being there at all," Harries said.

"I am a little disappointed to have drawn England again, just because everything that comes around with that game," added Morgan.

"We can't seem to avoid them! The most important thing is though that we are there.

"The journey to arrive at this point has been massive. We can't take anything away from that, it's taken 15 years to reach this point. We were always going to face the best 16 teams in Europe so I would've complained about any draw. The truth is everyone will do something, we want to go there and compete and ensure we can show people we're on the level to compete with those nations."

Former Wales boss Gemma Grainger, now manager of Norway and previously a part of the English Football Association, says Wales v England is a great prospect for neutrals.

"It's going to be incredible. To see the England-Wales game, wow," Grainger told BBC Sport Wales.

"It will be such a great game. To see Wales qualify for the first time was very special. I saw Jess Fishlock at the draw and to see someone like her being in the Euros… Life can be really good. I feel like that's a mission complete. To see them debuting in the tournament and playing in the Euros will be amazing."