After a disappointing World Cup in 2023, Italy are a squad with a point to prove—and the firepower to do it. Andrea Soncin’s side is built on experience up front and emerging flair on the wings, with a balanced midfield that can mix steel with subtlety and shake up Euro 2025.
What to Expect
Drawn into one of the tournament’s most competitive groups alongside Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, Italy will need to hit the ground running if they are to progress to the knockout stages.
Italy’s recent form has been mixed, but encouraging. They finished just two points behind 6th-ranked Sweden in their Nations League group, a campaign that showed tactical maturity and growing squad depth. There’s still work to do, but momentum is building at the right time.
Expect a gritty, tactically adaptable team that will look to control games with intelligent pressing and well-timed counterattacks synonymous with what we’ve come to expect from Italian football. Knockout qualification won’t be easy—but this Italy is better than it was two years ago.
Star Players
Cristiana Girelli
(pictured) – At 35, Cristiana Girelli remains Italy’s undisputed talisman. With 58 international goals and three in her last three outings, the Juventus striker’s instinct in the box remains razor sharp. Her leadership and versatility – dangerous whether starting or off the bench – make her indispensable. Combine that with proven experience, which is worth tenfold in knockout format, and it’s no surprise she remains the first name on the team sheet heading into the tournament.
Sofia Cantore – Represents the future. Recently signed by the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, the 25-year-old was named Serie A Forward of the Year in 2024–25. With 11 goals and seven assists, she blends blistering pace with clinical finishing, and will be one of Italy’s most dangerous weapons this summer.
Coach
Andrea Soncin
Eyebrows were raised when Andrea Soncin was named Milena Bertolini’s successor following Italy’s group stage exit at the 2023 World Cup. With little experience beyond two interim spells in charge of Venezia’s men’s team, Soncin’s appointment was seen as a gamble. But the former striker has quietly gone about transforming Italy’s style and results.
His emphasis on unity, professionalism and technical detail has resonated with a group in need of new direction. “It’s not ‘women’s football’, it’s football,” Soncin said upon his appointment—an ethos now shaping Italy’s resurgence.
FIFA Ranking: 13
Fixtures:
July 3, 2025: vs Belgium – Stade de Tourbillon, Sion, 6 pm
July 7, 2025: vs Portugal – Arena Thun, Thun, 9 pm
July 11, 2025: vs Spain – Wankdorfstadion, Bern, 9 pm