France, Italy, Belgium and Iceland are all aiming to become champions of Europe for the first time this summer when Women's Euro 2022 gets underway in England.
Those nations are dreaming of reaching the final on July 31 and playing in front of up to 90,000 spectators at Wembley. But they must find a way out of Group D first, with all six fixtures taking place at the Academy Stadium in Manchester and the New York Stadium in Rotherham.
Can any of them reach the showpiece event? Here, Mirror Football takes a look at France, Italy, Belgium and Iceland - analysing their squads, coaches, form, past achievements and chances - ahead of Group D's opening game on July 10.
Qualification records
France : Corinne Diacre's side booked their spot at Euro 2022 after finishing top of their qualification group, winning seven of their eight fixtures. The crucial victory was a 3-0 win against second-placed Austria in November 2020, a result that left them needing to beat Kazakhstan at home in their final qualifier. They hammered the minnows 12-0.
Italy : Le Azzurre qualified for the tournament after finishing second in their group and boasting one of the best three records among second-placed nations. They won eight of their 10 fixtures, losing just once to group winners Denmark. The defining result was an emphatic 12-0 victory against Israel in February 2021, confirming them as the highest ranked second-placed nation.
Belgium : Ives Serneels's side won their qualification group… but only just. They needed to beat Switzerland in their final game to finish top of the table, hammering them 4-0 in December 2020. The Swiss went on to qualify via the play-offs. Belgium's biggest victory was an impressive 9-0 away win against Lithuania, with Tessa Wullaert and Tine De Caigny both scoring hat-tricks.
Iceland : Thorsteinn Halldorsson's side finished as runners-up to Sweden in their qualification group but reached the finals as one of the best second-placed nations. They won six of their eight fixtures, drawing and losing to the Swedes. Iceland booked their flights to England with a 1-0 away win against Hungary in December 2020.
Players to watch
Can any teams in Group D win Women's Euro 2022? Let us know in the comments below!
France : Few have achieved as much in the women's game as Wendie Renard. The France and Lyon skipper has won 14 French league titles, nine French Cups and eight Champions Leagues. The defender has been named in FIFA's World XI six times and won 131 senior caps. The only thing missing from Renard's illustrious CV is a major international honour. At 31, this summer isn't her last chance at changing that - yet she'll still be determined to do so.
Italy : Coach Milena Bertolini will be hoping Barbara Bonansea can fire her team to success. The Juventus forward, 30, has won seven Serie A titles, four Italian Cups and six Italian Super Cups during her successful career. She's blessed with enough pace to get in behind defences and is a free-kick specialist. Bonansea has twice been named in FIFA's World XI and knows a strong showing in England could secure more individual honours.
Belgium : Janice Cayman is used to winning Europe's biggest competitions - lifting the Champions League twice at Lyon - and will be dreaming of adding another winners' medal to her collection this summer. The 33-year-old has scored 47 senior goals for Belgium and previously played in the US. Cayman will need to be at her best if Serneels' side are to succeed.
Iceland : WSL fans will recognise Dagny Brynjarsdottir playing in the heart of Iceland's midfield. The 30-year-old joined West Ham in January 2021 and has just completed a stellar season at Victoria Road. She made 27 appearances in all competitions, helping the Hammers finish sixth in the WSL and reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Brynjarsdottir has previously played in the US and for Bayern Munich.
Meet the coaches
France : Diacre moved into coaching after her long playing career ended, winning 121 senior caps for France. The ex-defender was France's assistant manager between 2007 and 2013, combining that role with the top job at Soyaux Women. She made history in 2014 when she was appointed manager of Ligue 2 outfit Clermont Foot, becoming the first woman to coach a competitive men's football match. Diacre left that position to become France boss in 2017.
Italy : Bertolini is a legendary figure in Italian football. The 55-year-old won three Serie A titles as a player and has enjoyed a successful 20-year career in coaching since hanging up her boots. She's won silverware at Foroni Veronia, Reggiana and Brescia - including three Serie A titles. Bertolini was appointed Italy boss in 2017 and guided her country to the World Cup in 2019 - the first time they'd reached the finals in two decades.
Belgium : Serneels has been in charge of the Red Flames for more than a decade. The ex-defender spent his entire playing career in his homeland - winning the Belgian title, Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Club - before moving into coaching in 2003. The 47-year-old was appointed as manager of Lierse SK Women in 2010 before leaving 12 months later to take the national job.
Iceland : Halldorsson was appointed by Iceland in 2021 after impressing at club level in his homeland. The 54-year-old led the women's team at Breidablik to three Icelandic titles, two Icelandic Cups and various other honours between 2014 and 2020. He also has a wealth of experience in the men's game.
Competition records
France : The French have never won a major tournament, reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2019 as hosts. They progressed to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2011 and the Olympics in 2012 but failed to win a medal in both competitions. Les Blues have crashed out at the quarter-finals in each of the last three Euros.
Italy : The Italians have come close to winning the Euros before - reaching the final in 1993 and 1997 - but are yet to win a major tournament. They haven't progressed beyond the last eight of the World Cup or Euros since 1997, exiting Euro 2017 at the group stage. But Italy did reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2019 - a sign of progress.
Belgium : The Red Flames have a worrying record. They have never qualified for the World Cup - although they remain in the hunt for a spot at next year's tournament in Australia and New Zealand - and played in the Euros just once before. That was five years ago in the Netherlands, when they were knocked out in the group stage.
Iceland : Like Belgium, Iceland have never qualified for the World Cup. They are currently top of their qualification group - ahead of European champions the Netherlands - and will be confident of ending their wait next year. In terms of the Euros, they've qualified for the last four tournaments - including 2022 - but have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals.
Fixtures
Group D
Belgium vs Iceland, Academy Stadium, July 10, 5pm
France vs Italy, New York Stadium, July 10, 8pm
Italy vs Iceland, Academy Stadium, July 14, 5pm
France vs Belgium, New York Stadium, July 14, 8pm
Iceland vs France, New York Stadium, July 18, 8pm
Italy vs Belgium, Academy Stadium, July 18, 8pm
Quarter-finals
Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B, The Amex, July 20, 8pm
Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A, Brentford Community Stadium, July 21, 8pm
Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D, Leigh Sports Village, July 22, 8pm
Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C, New York Stadium, July 23, 8pm
Semi-finals
Winner Quarter-final 3 vs Winner Quarter-final 1, Bramall Lane, July 26, 8pm
Winner Quarter-final 4 vs Winner Quarter-final 2, Stadium MK, July 27, 8pm
Final
Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2, Wembley, July 31, 5pm
Squads
France : Mylene Chavas, Justine Lerond, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Selma Bacha, Hawa Cissoko, Sakina Karchaoui, Griedge Mbock Bathy, Eve Perisset, Wendie Renard, Marion Torrent, Aissatou Tounkara, Charlotte Bilbault, Kenza Dali, Grace Geyoro, Ella Palis, Sandie Toletti, Sandy Baltimore, Delphine Cascarino, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Melvine Mallard, Clara Mateo, Ouleymata Sarr
Italy : Francesca Durante, Laura Giuliani, Katja Schroffenegger, Elisa Bartoli, Valentina Bergamaschi, Lisa Boattin, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Maria Luisa Filangeri, Sara Gama, Martina Lenzini, Elena Linari, Arianna Caruso, Valentina Cernoia, Aurora Galli, Manuela Giugliano, Martina Rosucci, Flaminia Simonetti, Barbara Bonansea, Agnese Bonfantini, Valentina Giacinti, Cristiana Girelli, Martina Piemonte, Daniela Sabatino
Belgium : Nicky Evrard, Diede Lemey, Lisa Lichtfus, Davina Philtjens, Amber Tysiak, Laura De Neve, Sari Kees, Laura Deloose, Jody Vangheluwe, Charlotte Tison, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Marie Minnaert, Julie Biesmans, Feli Delacauw, Kassandra Missipo, Ella Van Kerkhoven, Sarah Wijnants, Tine De Caigny, Tessa Wullaert, Janice Cayman, Hannah Eurlings, Davinia Vanmechelen, Elena Dhont
Iceland : Sandra Sigurdardottir, Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir, Telma Ivarsdottir, Aslaug Munda Gunnlaugsdottir, Elisa Vidarsdottir, Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir, Gudny Arnadottir, Gudrun Arnardottir, Sif Atladottir, Hallbera Gudny Gisladottir, Alexandra Johannsdottir, Dagny Brynjarsdottir, Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir, Selma Sol Magnusdottir, Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, Agla Maria Albertsdottir, Amanda Andradottir, Svava Ros Gundmundsdottir, Berglind Bjorg Thorvaldsdottir, Elin Metta Jensen, Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir
Predictions
France : Diacre has a decent squad and will be aiming to win all three group games. They've got a great chance of reaching the latter stages of the tournament.
Italy : Le Azzurre will be confident of progressing to the knockout stages but are unlikely to lift the trophy at Wembley. Expect a quarter-final exit.
Belgium : Reaching the last eight would be a success for Serneels' side. An early flight home seems likely.
Iceland : There's little hope of Iceland winning the tournament and, like Belgium, they'll be hoping to reach the knockout stages. It's hard to see them progressing.
