Euro 2025: A Golden Opportunity for Italy's Women's Football to Regain Momentum

Italy's women's football team made a lasting impression at the 2019 World Cup. Despite being comprised of amateur players, they reached the quarterfinals and captivated audiences worldwide. Their success signaled a potential revival of Italian football, particularly as their male counterparts had failed to qualify for their World Cup. This sparked a push for equal opportunities and growth in women’s football. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced that Italy's Serie A Femminile would turn professional by 2022. However, the national team's subsequent performance was not as inspiring. They were eliminated in the group stage of both Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup, leading to the resignation of then-manager Milena Bertolini. Now, with Andrea Soncin at the helm, a squad featuring the first Italian woman to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or, and domestic clubs closing in on substantial private investment, Italy is gearing up to compete in Euro 2025. The journey of women's football in Italy has been challenging, marred by cultural bias and a lack of investment. However, the tides are shifting. Domestic clubs like Fiorentina, Juventus, and AS Roma have started to professionalize their women's teams. This has incentivized players to return to Italy and has improved the overall quality of the league. The removal of the salary cap in 2022 was particularly impactful, allowing wealthier clubs to sign foreign players and attract the best Italian talent. As a result, nearly all players in the national team now play in Serie A. This includes the likes of Manuela Giugliano, the first Italian woman to receive a Ballon d'Or nomination, and Cristiana Girelli, one of Serie A's top scorers. Italy's women's team has a wealth of international experience and is looking to make a mark at Euro 2025. They have a flexible formation and a creative midfield led by Giugliano. The new head coach, Soncin, has been well-received by the players, and the team's recent performances have shown promise. As Italy prepares for Euro 2025, the FIGC needs to capitalize on the success of its domestic teams and seek further investment in women's football. The team is ready to prove their worth on Europe's biggest stage and, who knows, a strong performance in Switzerland may ignite a new wave of enthusiasm for women's football in Italy, reminiscent of their 2019 World Cup run.