Switzerland launches bid to host soccer's Women's Euro 2025

BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Switzerland’s soccer federation formally launched a bid Wednesday to host the women’s European Championship in 2025.

The Swiss bid team said nine cities — including Bern, Basel, Geneva and Zurich — are in its plan to host the tournament. The 16-team format has 31 games.

Switzerland is competing with France, Poland and a co-hosting bid from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden ahead of a UEFA deadline for candidates of Oct. 12.

The UEFA executive committee will choose the winner at a Jan. 25 meeting.

England will be the defending champion after winning Euro 2022 as the host of a tournament postponed one year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Switzerland co-hosted the men’s Euro 2008 with Austria and staged the 1954 World Cup alone. Both were 16-team tournaments.

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