Fishlock aims for knock-outs as Wales await Euro 2025 draw

Jess Fishlock says Wales team-mates are already looking at who they could play in Switzerland

It is the question women's football in Wales has waited a lifetime to ask: When is the draw for Euro 2025?

And, more importantly, who will Rhian Wilkinson's side face in Switzerland?

It is already a topic being discussed among the team, who made history when they beat the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in a play-off to secure a place in their first major finals.

Already there are promises that Wales are not content with just making the tournament, with star player Jess Fishlock saying the side are eyeing the knock-out stages.

"We're not there to make up numbers. I believe – and these girls believe – we're going to get there and compete," record goalscorer Fishlock told Football Focus.

When will Wales discover Euro 2025 opponents?

England are second in Fifa's rankings but will only be in Pot 2 for the Euro 2025 draw as they look to defend the trophy they won in 2022

The draw for the group stages takes place on Monday, 16 December in Lausanne, Switzerland, at 17:00 GMT.

Including hosts Switzerland, 16 teams will take part in the finals that will be held across eight venues between 2-27 July.

The group stage sees four groups of four teams face each other, with the top two in each group progressing to the quarter-finals.

Having qualified via the play-offs, Wales will be in Pot 4 for the draw.

Holders England will be in Pot 2, while World Cup winners Spain are among those in Pot 1.

"We've already started asking each other who we would like and everyone's putting in different teams," said Fishlock, who also admitted realising the dream of reaching a major finals was "beyond my wildest dreams".

"But we're just so excited now it almost doesn't really matter what the group is - we just can't wait to get there and experience it."

Euro 2025 seeding pots

Pot 1: Switzerland (hosts), Spain, Germany, France.

Pot 2: Italy, Iceland, Denmark, England.

Pot 3: Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Belgium

Pot 4: Finland, Poland, Portugal, Wales.

'Not there to make up the numbers'

Of the teams to have qualified for Euro 2025, only Poland are seeded lower than Wales in the world rankings, meaning Wilkinson's side face a challenge to drive further into history once the tournament kicks-off in Basel on 2 July.

But the excitement in the Welsh ranks is mixed with ambition, with Seattle Reign star Fishlock adding: "Honestly, I believe we're good enough to compete – but we're going to have some fun there while we're doing it, because if you don't what's the point?

"We're not there to make up the numbers. I believe – and these girls believe – we're going to get there and compete. We want to get out of the group, we want to get to the knock-out stages and I truly believe, hand on heart, we have a good enough group [of players] to do that."

Rhian Wilkinson's side will have to pause celebrations as they kick off a Nations League campaign in two months' time

How will Wales prepare for Euro 2025?

Aside from any warm-up games closer to the tournament, Wales' history-makers have a packed schedule ahead of Switzerland courtesy of the Nations League.

Their promotion back to the top tier of the women's game in Europe means they will be tested significantly prior to the tournament.

Wales' return to League A will see them face fellow finalists Italy, Sweden and Denmark home and away between February and June.

"We're super-excited and the Nations League helps us prepare for this now, so this next year is going to be so huge for us and so fun," Fishlock added.

Wales' Nations League A fixtures

Friday, 21 February – Italy (a)

Tuesday, 25 February – Sweden (h)

Friday, 4 April – Denmark (h)

Tuesday, 8 April: Sweden (a)

Friday, 30 May – Denmark (a)

Tuesday, 3 July – Italy (h)