Denmark women's national football team

History

Main article: Women's football in Denmark

Denmark were one of the earliest pioneers of women's football, competing in the unofficial Women's World Cup tournaments in 1970 and 1971. Denmark won both tournaments, the first ever Danish football team to win the World Cup. The final of the 1971 Women's World Cup was played at Estadio Azteca in Coyoacán, Mexico, in front of a crowd of 112,500, the record attendance for any women's sporting event.

2017 Euros

At the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands, Denmark was drawn into Group A with Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. They secured a 1–0 victories over Belgium and Norway, but lost 1–0 to Netherlands. Despite that they managed to advance as runners-up in the group, to the quarter-finals against Germany. The Danes surprisingly won against the 22-year reigning champions of Europe and qualified to the semifinals, with a 2–1 win. Denmark defeated Austria 3–0 on penalties to reach the final for the first time, after the match finished goalless. In the final the team met Netherlands at the De Grolsch Veste, Enschede, standing in front of a crowd of 28,182 spectators. The Dutch team defeated Denmark, by a 4–2 victory and claimed their first UEFA Euro title.

2023 World Cup

Denmark were in Group D with England, China and Haiti. They lost to England and defeated China and Haiti to finish second in the group. They were eliminated in the Round of 16 when they lost 2-0 to Australia.{{Cite news |title= Foord and Raso fire Australia into quarter-finals with win over Denmark|website=Guardian|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/07/matildas-australia-denmark-last-16-women-s-world-cup-match-report|access-date=8 August 2023}}

2025 Euros

;Qualification Denmark was allotted Group 2 in the League A qualification due to previously competing in League A of the 2023–2024 Nations League and competed against 2023 World Cup winners Spain, as well as Belgium and Czechia. At the start of qualifying Denmark's FIFA ranking was #13, with Spain #1, Belgium #18, and Czechia #30.

Denmark won the first match away 3–1 over Czechia, where striker Amalie Vangsgaard scored a long-distance goal from 40 meters out just over the halfway-line, after spotting the Czech keeper had come out some distance from goal. The goal won the Danish Football Association (DBU) Goal of the Year award. Denmark also won their last qualifying match, the home match against Czechia, 2–0.

Denmark hosted the Spanish World Cup winners in a 2–0 defeat at Vejle Stadium. The away match in Tenerife saw Denmark take the lead after 4 minutes of play and double it in the second half, both goals by Janni Thomsen. Before the second Danish goal, keeper Maja Bay Østergaard saved a Spanish penalty taken by Mariona Caldentey. Denmark lost the match by 3–2, conceding two goals on corners in quick succession, with the winning goal scored in extra time.

The first match against Belgium, played at home, saw Denmark beat the side 4–2, albeit they were 4–0 up in the second half when Belgium managed to get two goals back to make the final result. In the first half, left wing-back Sofie Svava recorded two assists from corner set-pieces to set up Vangsgaard, before Svava scored the third goal for Denmark from open play. During the second half, Frederikke Thøgersen scored the fourth goal for Denmark from outside the box, cementing the Danish victory despite conceding two. The goal by Thøgersen was nominated for the DBU Goal of the Year award. The lead-up to the corresponding match away in Belgium saw the Belgian national team take to try and gain an advantage on Denmark, first by staying at the hotel at the grounds so Denmark could not train on the match day pitch without being watched by their opponents. The Danish team found another training location, but the Danish staff called off training as they discovered that they were being watched and recorded by individuals standing on the roof of a nearby hotel, who were later confirmed to be part of the Belgian team staff. The Belgian Football Association (Belgian FA) admitted to these actions and issued an apology to the Danish association. UEFA did not sanction the Belgian FA nor were any other actions taken to penalise the Belgian FA for spying. Denmark won the match 3–0 to qualify for the 2025 Euros.

;Nations League and Euros lead-up Denmark competed in League A of the 2025 Nations League, so allotted based on their performance in the Euro 2025 qualifying matches. The tournament was only scheduled to take place within the calendar year. Denmark competed against Sweden, Italy, and Wales. At the start of the tournament in February, Denmark's FIFA ranking was #12, with Sweden #5, Italy #13, and Wales #30.

Denmark won both matches against Wales, and the away match against Italy 3–1. Despite this, Denmark showed a tendency to stumble when faced with adversity during matches, most notably in the 3–0 loss at home to Italy, and the 6–1 dismantling away against Sweden on 6 June. The Sweden match was a crucial game in Denmark's bid for staying in League A, following the loss to Italy. It was the last game of the Nations League campaign, and the final game before Denmark's first group match in the 2025 Euros, also against Sweden. The loss saw Denmark place 3rd overall in their group, thus facing play-off matches that September to avoid relegation to League B.

In the lead-up to the match, media speculation about Denmark coach Jeglertz's departure following the Euros intensified, culminating the day before the match where several outlets reported that Danish coach Jakob Michelsen was slated to be the new Denmark coach. Due to the scrutiny, the Danish Football Association (DBU) confirmed the rumours only hours before the match regarding Jeglertz's departure from the post, the handling of which was met with criticism. The players were informed on the day of the match as well, hours before the official confirmation from DBU. The scale of the loss to Sweden saw the media post-match question whether the news surrounding Jeglertz's departure had impacted performance, which both the players and Jeglertz rejected.

On 20 June, the 23 player-squad for the 2025 Euros was selected. The announcement was made with a selection video featuring winners from the 1971 Women's World Cup and players from the men's team. The selection saw the return of Nadia Nadim after a lengthy absence, for what was later reported to be her final appearances for the national team, as well as forward Rikke Madsen and midfielder Karen Holmgaard, the latter returning from a two-year absence from the national team due to injury. The omission of Lyon player Sofie Svava, playing at the club with the highest Opta Sports-rating among the Danish internationals, was possibly the biggest surprise of the selection. Svava's agent told the press that it was "a joke" that she was not called up considering her merits and talent, and dismissed what Jeglertz had given as the reasoning, that the team needed a more defensive setup, citing that Svava faces the best attackers in the world playing at Lyon.

On 3 July, less than 24 hours before Denmark's first Euro 2025 match, longstanding rumours of Jeglertz taking a position as manager of Manchester City were confirmed.

;Tournament Denmark faced Sweden in the first group stage match on Friday 4 July, in Denmark's first competitive match following the 6-1 defeat to Sweden in Stockholm a month prior. Denmark lined up in a 3-4-2-1, with Frederikke Thøgersen, Emma Færge and Karen Holmgaard returning to the starting eleven. Sweden were dominant throughout the match, but had trouble breaking through the Danish defence. Keeper Bay saved a direct free-kick from Filippa Angeldahl in the first half. Angeldahl scored early in the second half, and Thøgersen saved a shot from Blackstenius on the goal line. Denmark did not create many chances, albeit Pernille Harder hit the crossbar with a left-footed shot on goal, and Denmark lost to Sweden 1-0. Coming on late in the game, Nadia Nadim made her 18th Euros appearance, tying Katrine Pedersen for most Danish appearances in the competition.

Home stadium

The women's national team does not currently have its own home grounds. From 2015 until 2024, the team played at Energi Viborg Arena, located in Viborg, which has a maximum capacity of 10,000. Since the agreement between the Danish Football Association and Viborg Municipality expired in the summer of 2024, the women's team has been playing matches at various venues around the country.

The highest number of spectators for a women's international match on Danish soil was set on 24 June 2022 at an exhibition match against Brazil in Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, where 21,542 attended. The previous record attendance of 9,337 spectators was set during 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying against Finland at Viborg Stadium on 27 September 2006.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Denmark women's national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

;Legend

2025

• Harder
• Sembrant
• Rolfö
• Cambiaghi
• Færge
• S. Holmgaard
• Thomsen
• Holland
• Bruun
• Vangsgaard
• Caruso
• Di Guglielmo
• Girelli
• Blackstenius
• Rytting Kaneryd
• Angeldahl
• Hurtig
• Thomsen
• Angeldahl
• Nüsken
• Schüller
• Vangsgaard
• Lindström
• Snerle
• Svava
• Harder
• S. Holmgaard
• Kühl
• Harder

2026

Coaching staff

;Notes

Players

Main article: List of Denmark women's international footballers

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Friendly match against Norway on 1 December 2025.  On 23 November, Pernille Harder withdrew due to injury and Emilie Fink was called up as substitute. On 27 November, Emma Snerle withdrew and Karoline Olesen was called up as substitute.

:Caps and goals correct as of 1 December 2025, after the match against Norway. 

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

;Notes ALT = Alternate --

• INJ = Withdrew due to injury MED = Withdrew for non-injury medical reasons -- PRE = Preliminary squad / standby --
• RET = Retired from the national team SUS = Serving suspension -- TOP = Train-on player -- UNV = Unavailable for selection --
• WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

Previous squads

;FIFA Women's World Cup:

• World Cup 1991 squad
• World Cup 1995 squad
• World Cup 1999 squad
• World Cup 2007 squad
• World Cup 2023 squad ;UEFA Women's Euro:
• Euro 1984 squad
• Euro 1991 squad
• Euro 1993 squad
• Euro 1997 squad
• Euro 2001 squad
• Euro 2005 squad
• Euro 2009 squad
• Euro 2013 squad
• Euro 2017 squad
• Euro 2022 squad
• Euro 2025 squad ;Olympic Games:
• Olympics 1996 squad ;Unofficial matches
• World Cup 1971 squad

Player records

Main article: Denmark women's national football team records and statistics

  - 

NOTE: ALL ACTIVE PLAYERS MUST BE UPDATED BEFORE CHANGING THE DATE! NOT JUST PERNILLE HARDER. -

:
:Players in bold are still active with the national team.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Competitive records

FIFA Women's World Cup

Main article: Denmark at the FIFA Women's World Cup

:*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Match History

Olympic Games record

UEFA Women's Championship

Main article: Denmark at the UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Nations League

Algarve Cup record

Invitational trophies

• Women's Nordic Football Championship: Winner 1974, 1975, 1976, 1982

World Cup (Old invitational event)

• 1970 : Champions (non-official competition)
• 1971 : Champions (non-official competition)
• 1981 : Runners-up (non-official competition)
• 1984 : Did not participate (non-official competition)
• 1985 : Third Place (non-official competition)
• 1986 : Did not participate (non-official competition)
• 1988 : Did not participate (non-official competition)

European Championship (Unofficial events)

• 1969 : Runner-up (non-official competition)
• 1979 : Champions (non-official competition)

Honours

Major competitions

• UEFA Women's Euro
  • Runners-up: 2017

Non-FIFA competitions

• FIEFF Women's World Cup
  • Winners (2): 1970, 1971

Hall of Fame

The Danish Football Association Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to celebrate the achievements and contributions of outstanding Danish players and staff. The inductees are selected by a jury consisting of six people; the current team have two representatives from DBU, two former players, and two media persons. In 2016, 10 years after its inception, the first female footballer was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was a double induction, with also the second ever female player awarded the honour. In 2023, 17 years after the Hall of Fame was created, the first female jury member - 2022 inductee Katrine Pedersen - was invited to join.

Notes

References

References

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2. "Denmark – Goals".
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87. [https://dbu.dk/landshold/kvindelandshold/a-landsholdet/ Danish Squad]
88. [[https://www.dbu.dk/landshold/kvindelandshold/a-landsholdet/landsholdsstatistik-og-priser/landsholdsspillere-50-plus-kampe/ Most Games]]
89. [[https://www.dbu.dk/landshold/kvindelandshold/a-landsholdet/landsholdsstatistik-og-priser/flest-maal/ Most Goals]]
90. The Danish team withdrew following the discovery of four [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. COVID-19]] cases within the team.
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92. "Coppa del Mondo (Women) 1970".
93. "Mundial (Women) 1971".
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96. "Inofficial European Women Championship 1979".
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