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Women’s Euro 2025 state of play: Qualifying play-off draw made as Scotland face Hungary

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Women’s Euro 2025 state of play: Qualifying play-off draw made as Scotland face Hungary

England have secured their spot at Women’s Euro 2025 – but can Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland join them at next summer’s finals in Switzerland?

All four nations must now contest two rounds of two-legged play-offs if they are to qualify. The format is explained in the sub-sections below.

Scotland have drawn Hungary, and, if successful, would then face the winners of Montenegro vs Finland to secure their place.

If Wales get past Slovakia and Republic of Ireland beat Georgia, they would then face off in the second round – meaning it is impossible for Wales and ROI to both qualify.

Finally, Northern Ireland play Croatia. Should they win, either Albania or Norway would be their final opponent.

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England Women are the reigning European champions – won on home turf at Wembley in 2022

How do the play-offs work?

There will be two paths and two rounds in the Euro 2025 qualifiers. Each game will be played over two legs.

League B and C group fixtures will determine where teams are placed for their play-off draw.

Round One, Path One – third and fourth-place League A teams to face the five group winners and three best-ranked runners-up in League C. The eight winners progress to the second round.

The Republic of Ireland qualified for this part of the play-offs as a seeded team, alongside Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

Republic of Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying match at the Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork, Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday July 16, 2024.
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Republic of Ireland will face Georgia in the first round of play-offs

The draw is as follows:

Romania vs Poland

Greece vs Belgium

Montenegro vs Finland

Georgia vs Republic of Ireland

Slovenia vs Austria

Luxembourg vs Sweden

Belarus vs Czech Republic

Albania vs Norway

Round One, Path Two – the four group winners and two best-ranked runners-up in League B will be drawn against the remaining two runners-up and four third-placed teams in League B. The six winners progress to the second round.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland qualified for this section of the play-offs as a seeded team, along with Portugal, Serbia, and Ukraine.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 31: Scotland's Kirsty Hanson celebrates as she scores to make it 2-0 during a UEFA European Championship Quallifier between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park, on May 31, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
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Scotland take on Hungary in the first round of play-offs

The draw is as follows:

Turkey vs Ukraine

Croatia vs Northern Ireland

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Serbia

Azerbaijan vs Portugal

Hungary vs Scotland

Slovakia vs Wales

Round Two – all 14 winners from round one of the play-offs are drawn together in seven ties. Seven teams will be seeded based on their European qualifying overall ranking. The seven winners will then join the already-qualified eight teams at Euro 2025, plus hosts Switzerland, who qualify automatically despite competing in qualifying.

The draw is as follows:

Azerbaijan/Portugal vs Belarus/Czech Republic

Hungary/Scotland vs Montenegro/Finland

Turkey/Ukraine vs Greece/Belgium

Slovakia/Wales vs Georgia/Republic of Ireland

Romania/Poland vs Slovenia/Austria

Croatia/Northern Ireland vs Albania/Norway

Bosnia and Herzegovina/Serbia vs Luxembourg/Sweden

What is the Euro 2025 qualifying schedule?

Play-off round one (two legs): October 23 to 29 2024

Play-off round two (two legs): November 27 to December 3 2024

Euro 2025 finals draw: December 16 2024

Euro 2025 finals: July 2 to 27 2025 (Switzerland)

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