The 2022 Women’s European Championship takes place in England this summer, with the hosts kicking off the tournament on July 6 before the winner is crowned at Wembley on July 31.
The tournament consists of four groups, 16 teams, inside ten stadiums, across nine cities, with every match shown live on the BBC, and you can ensure you don’t miss a single minute of the action with our comprehensive fixtures guide.
Holland is the reigning champion, while Portugal replaced Russia following the latter’s exclusion due to the invasion of Ukraine.
The quadrennial tournament was postponed from 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 Olympics and Men’s European Championship to be rescheduled.
There will be 16 nations competing in the 13th edition of the tournament, including holders from the Netherlands and eight-time champions Germany. Northern Ireland will make their tournament debut. Besides, England will hope to better their previous performance as hosts when they exited the 2005 tournament at the group stage.
Premier League regular Sian Massey-Ellis is part of the all-female on-pitch match officials’ squad, and VAR will be in place for all matches for the first time at a Women’s Euros.
As well as taking home the trophy, the winners will face the CONMEBOL Copa America Feminina champions in the inaugural UEFA-CONMEBOL Women’s Finalissima at a date and venue to be decided.
Nike has released the official tournament ball, the Flight WE, part of a collection of balls that promises to change “everything but the heart of the game.” Make of that what you will.
The draw for the groups took place in October 2021, with Group A consisting of England (hosts), Austria, Norway, and Northern Ireland. Group B will include Germany, Denmark, Spain, and Finland, while Group C will comprise the Netherlands (holders), Sweden, Portugal, and Switzerland. Lastly, we shall have Group D: with such teams as France, Italy, Belgium, and Iceland.
The Women’s Euro 2022 ball is predominantly white with light blue, pink, and purple patches. These patches are all about round and curvy design. A white circle appears in the middle of every colored patch, with the space between them filled with white Y-shapes. The thin border between white and the other colors is silver.
Nike signed a three-year partnership with UEFA back in 2019. The partnership would, therefore, technically end in March 2022. But, it is unclear whether this has been extended due to the pandemic or other reasons.
“We are delighted to have such a prestigious global brand such as Nike, who are committed to equality within the sport and renowned for empowering female athletes all over the world,” said Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s head of women’s football.
“Becoming the official match ball supplier and supporter of UEFA Women’s Football across our competitions and campaigns, including Together #WePlayStrong, not only sends a powerful message that the game is now being judged and supported on its own merits, but it also underlines its important milestones beyond the field of play.”
