Eight-and-a-half months after they last met in the final of Euro 2025, England and Spain will face each other again on Tuesday night at Wembley. This time, the match comes in Women’s World Cup qualifying, another stage on which the two sides have already shared a final in the past.
More than 70,000 fans are expected for the game, which brings together the Lionesses and the reigning champions in a high-profile meeting under the lights at Wembley.
Spain may look different from the team that lifted the European title in Basel, but they arrive with the same competitive pedigree. The world champions have a new head coach in Sonia Bermúdez and a number of emerging young players in the squad, giving the side a fresher appearance than the one England faced in the Euros final.
Bermúdez has already guided Spain to silverware. After taking over from Montse Tomé, she led the team to the Nations League title, underlining that the transition in the dugout has not weakened their winning habit.
Spain’s recent record also shows how hard they remain to beat. They are unbeaten since the Euros, with five wins and a draw from six matches. That run contrasts with England’s situation and adds to the sense that Tuesday’s qualifier will be another serious test for the Lionesses.
For England, the fixture is a reminder of how closely the two nations have been matched in recent major tournaments. They met in the Euro 2025 final only months ago, and before that they also contested the final of the Women’s World Cup. Familiar as the rivalry has become, Spain’s new coach and evolving squad mean this encounter will not simply be a repeat of past meetings.
Even with changes to personnel, Spain continue to carry the same technical style and winning mentality that has made them one of the leading sides in women’s football. England will know that the challenge goes beyond a new name in the dugout. The champions have depth, confidence and a strong recent record, and they will arrive at Wembley with a clear chance to make another statement.
As qualifiers begin to take shape, the match offers England a stern benchmark against one of the most formidable teams in the women’s game. For Spain, it is an opportunity to extend an unbeaten run and show that their success under Bermúdez is no short-term lift. For both teams, it is also a first chance in more than eight months to renew a rivalry that has come to define the top end of the international calendar.
