📰 The Guardian (Women's football) Latest Football News > 20 Article

Owners treat many WSL clubs as ‘an afterthought’, Angel City’s co-founder says

Kara Nortman talks Monarch Collective’s sports ownership portfolio and potential investment in EnglandMany Women’s Super League clubs are treated as “an afterthought” by their owners according to Kara Nortman, the co-founder of the women’s sport investment fund Monarch Collective and Angel City FC.Monarch last month became the first women’s multi-sport group by buying a minority stake in Cleveland WNBA, the basketball franchise joining an ownership portfolio that includes the NWSL teams San Diego Wave and Boston Legacy, and the German club Viktoria Berlin. Continue reading.....

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:00:39 GMT

Wasted weekend takes wind out of WSL’s sails … and get ready for more

With the season reaching its climax and weather improving, it’s ideal for attracting fans, but the fixture list is blankMomentum can be extremely powerful. Just ask Wrexham, anyone involved in English women’s football in the aftermath of Euro 2022 or the scientists calculating Artemis II’s route for Nasa.The climax to the domestic women’s football season in England, and around Europe, has lost its momentum as an extended international break has arrived. That, coupled with the Easter weekend’s Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals before the international window, means there will be nearly four weeks w..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:00:11 GMT

Matildas next generation take charge in Fifa Series rout over Malawi

Australia defeat Scorchers 5-0 in Nairobi as second-half substitutes inject much-needed energy and McKenna scores on debut in final minutePeeeeeeeeeep!Anthems have been sung. Matildas are in their fluro yellow and green home kit. Malawi in Red. There’s a very small crowd at Nyayo National Stadium, including a few Australian flags. Continue reading.....

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:18:54 GMT

Lotte Wubben-Moy finds ‘perfect storm’ to show she is more than England stand-in

Arsenal defender on embracing her England chance, maintaining self-belief and sharing training tips with her cyclist partner, Tao Geoghegan HartLotte Wubben-Moy pauses, then says: “I’d be lying if I said there weren’t doubts.” The Arsenal and England defender has just been asked whether, during her stop-start journey, she had questioned herself or her chances of getting to show what she can do.Wubben-Moy has had to bide her time with club and country. Having made her debut for England in February 2021, she has picked up only 16 caps despite being almost ever-present in the squad. Even when lef..

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:00:44 GMT

Potential US host cities for 2031 Women’s World Cup games mull withdrawal over Fifa concerns

Chicago and Pittsburgh decline to enter runningSome cities opt to focus on men’s Rugby World CupBid approval delayed by reported government holdupsA number of American cities named in the running to host games at the 2031 Women’s World Cup are considering withdrawing over concerns related to Fifa’s handling of this summer’s World Cup.The Guardian has learned that several cities are exploring whether to focus solely on winning the right to host matches at the men’s 2031 Rugby World Cup. The US will also stage the women’s rugby tournament two years later. Continue reading.....

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:43:06 GMT

Women’s football in England at risk without WSL academy teams in third tier, FA claims

Game could be held back without radical change, it saysIt wants more competitive games for young playersSue Day, the Football Association’s director of women’s football, has defended the governing body’s plans to radically change the structure of the women’s lower leagues, including introducing four Women’s Super League academy sides into third tier, saying she believes the game is at a “crucial turning point”.On Tuesday the Guardian revealed the proposals, which also include a mid-season split in tier three, a financial package of about £1m and enhancements to the loan system, as well as more..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:49:06 GMT

American Samoa’s Women’s World Cup fairytale takes them from ‘underdog to dark horse’

Alma Mana’o, the captain, reflects on their journey from a 21-0 defeat in 1998 to a place in the final round of qualificationThe American Samoa women’s team has lived through a scarcely believable tale littered with upsets, and their story is still unfolding. At the end of last year, they entered a World Cup qualification tournament containing the lowest-ranked teams in the smallest federation, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). At 153rd in the world rankings, American Samoa ranked the lowest of the low. With an estimated population of 45,319, the island’s entire population would not se..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:47:37 GMT

‘Absolute disgrace’: FA’s plan to restructure Women’s National League criticised

WSL academy teams would play in third tierPrevious FA expansion plan was withdrawn last yearPlans to include four Women’s Super League academy sides in the third tier of the English women’s football pyramid from 2027 have been criticised as an idea based around “repackaged B teams” and received a mixed reaction from club staff and supporters.The changes to the Women’s National League, put forward by the Football Association, would also introduce a mid-season split similar to that used in Scotland, as well as a potential investment package of about £1m and enhancements to legal and medical..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:07:13 GMT

Women’s Super League academy teams to play in third tier under new FA proposals

Four youth sides picked could not be promotedPlans involve mid-season split and up to £1m investmentMajor structural changes to the Women’s National League, including four Women’s Super League academy sides entering tier three of the pyramid from 2027 and the introduction of a mid-season split similar to that used in Scotland, have been proposed by the Football Association, the Guardian can reveal.The plans come alongside a potential investment package of about £1m, enhancements to legal and medical support in the loan system, and a hope of attracting more fans and media attention to the leagu..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:06:20 GMT

Bay Collective to buy Sunderland Women and sets ambitious target

Multi-club group also owns Bay FC in United StatesBay FC forward Keira Barry gets first England call-upSunderland’s women’s team are to be taken over by the multi-club ownership group Bay Collective, which has agreed to buy a majority stake in the Women’s Super League 2 club, subject to league approval.The deal comes with plans to enhance Sunderland’s training ground and academy to create a “platform for sustained success at the highest levels”. Sunderland are eighth in WSL2 with two matches remaining. Continue reading.....

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:01:14 GMT

Barcelona’s Vicky López: ‘I think I bring a lot of joy, youth and playfulness’

Winger explains her rapid ascent from shy 16-year-old Barça signing to a record-breaking heroAt 19 years, eight months and 12 days Vicky López is a history maker, record breaker and Barcelona hero. The Spaniard has played more than 120 matches for the club of her dreams, scoring 32 goals along the way.López signed in July 2022 at 16, making her first-team debut that season under Jonatan Giráldez and leaving no doubt she belongs among the best. No Barcelona player, male or female, has made their Camp Nou, Champions League or el clásico debut as young as López. The following season she became th..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:41:42 GMT

Brighton stun Arsenal in FA Cup as WSL 2 title race heats up – Women’s Football Weekly podcast

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Tom Garry and Anne-Marie Batson to review the FA Cup quarter-finals and assess a dramatic run-in at both ends of the WSL 2 tableOn today’s pod: Brighton produced the shock of the FA Cup quarter-finals with a deserved win over Arsenal at Meadow Park, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool also booked their places in the last four. The panel discuss Fran Kirby’s influence, Chelsea’s narrow win over Tottenham and Liverpool’s extra-time victory against Charlton. Elsewhere, the panel reflects on Birmingham City’s impressive showing against Manchester ..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:30:26 GMT

‘Something you only see in films’: Czech case yet another example of sexual abuse crisis

Petr Vlachovsky’s non-contact sexual abuse has had long-term effects and could finally be the catalyst for safeguarding policy change for women and girls in the sportKristyna Janku answered the phone to a police officer, not sure what she was going to hear. She had heard the rumours, the gossip, and was not sure what was true and what was not.The defender’s former coach Petr Vlachovsky, who coached women and girls at FC Slovacko for almost 15 years and was once voted the best women’s football coach in the Czech Republic, had been arrested and she was about to find out why. Continue reading.....

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:30:41 GMT

Middlesbrough held by Swansea, Manchester City to meet Chelsea in Women’s FA Cup: football – as it happened

Ipswich gained ground in the promotion race by beating Birmingham before Middlesbrough dropped points at SwanseaThanks John, afternoon everyone. I’ll start with a very modern story from Spain.La Liga on Monday condemned threats and intimidation by Sevilla fans aimed at their own players and directors after they fell to a third straight league defeat.Sevilla, 17th in the Spanish top flight, lost 1-0 away at bottom side Real Oviedo on Sunday and some supporters met the team at the airport on their return to insult them, while others wearing masks were at the club training ground. Continue readin..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:56:15 GMT

Buurman strikes late against Spurs to send Chelsea into Women’s FA Cup semi-finals

Sonia Bompastor believes national team managers will need to be “smart” with her Chelsea players after a gruelling block of games concluded positively, with a 2-1 defeat of Tottenham, earning a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.Chelsea’s hopes of retaining two of their three titles remain alive after Veerle Buurman’s wonderful drive and strike earned the Blues a win in an end-to-end battle with Tottenham. Continue reading.....

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:01:59 GMT

FA Cup quarter-finals: talking points from the men’s and women’s weekend ties

Kirby’s class helps stun Arsenal, Palmer shows leadership potential for Chelsea and teenager Shaw makes her mark for LiverpoolSecuring their Premier League status for another year remains a priority for West Ham and Leeds this season, so the eight changes Nuno Espírito Santo and Daniel Farke made between them for this tie, which developed into a drama-drenched classic, was understandable to a degree. Still, in Ao Tanaka, Leeds have a gem of a fringe player, who looked eager to make something of his opportunity. The Japan midfielder has not started in the league since 14 December, but Leeds fan..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:00:13 GMT

Brighton stun Arsenal in Women’s FA Cup shock; Liverpool also through to last four

Brighton two wins away from first major trophyLiverpool edge out Charlton in extra timeArsenal made a surprise exit at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s FA Cup for the second successive season as Brighton stunned the record 14-time cup winners at Borehamwood.Liverpool managed to avoid it becoming a day of shocks as they struck late in extra time to eventually find a way past a stubborn Charlton Athletic side, but they was no such joy for Arsenal, who paid the price for a performance that was well below their best. Continue reading.....

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:51:44 GMT

Female athletes’ fertility is still a blind spot | Letter

Dr Mireia Galian argues that paid, protected time off for fertility assessment and treatment should be standard across women’s sportsAs you report, changes to insurance cover for female athletes following the Carney review are welcome (Landmark changes to insurance cover for female athletes to be implemented, 30 March). Addressing contraception, pregnancy, menopause and other health conditions disproportionately affecting women is long overdue.Yet one crucial blind spot remains: fertility. Elite athletes push their bodies to extremes, often with low body fat and intense training, which can dis..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:50:00 GMT

Tottenham women’s Martin Ho: ‘Coaches are like thieves, because you take from one another’

Thirty five-year-old reflects on his players overcoming adversity to climb towards new heights in the WSL and his evolution as a coachMartin Ho is ready to chat, after being playfully reprimanded by the waiter in a south London cafe for leaving a lone tomato on his plate. “It’s got more vitamin C in it than orange juice,” the waiter quips as he clears the table.It has been quite the season for the 35-year-old Tottenham head coach, who took charge in July of a side that looked rudderless and despondent as it limped to an 11th‑place finish in the Women’s Super League, one season on from fin..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:00:43 GMT

Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals: tie-by-tie analysis of the weekend games

Arsenal meet Brighton with their sights set on reaching a second semi-final while Tottenham could be facing Chelsea at just the right timeRiding high after their Champions League quarter-final win over Chelsea, Arsenal are ready to push on in the FA Cup. The WSL title may be almost certainly out of sight following Manchester City’s impressive victory over Manchester United, but the chance to go for a European and domestic cup double is very much there. Brighton stand in the way of securing a second cup semi-final within six days. Last weekend Dario Vidosic’s side earned a first WSL win since t..

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:00:15 GMT

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