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As the Lionesses arrive at St Georges’ Park, they prepare for the first leg of their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece. With such an important competition at stake, it was important that Sarina chose her twenty-three players wisely and picked players based on their talent and club form, rather than familiarity. The ability to rotate the squad could be seen as an asset, as many players are either ageing, injured or not being played by their club. A Fresh Face for the Lionesses? Alexia “Lexi” Potter is no stranger to an England camp. She started her journey as a Lioness, coming through the youth camps ranging from Under-17 right through to the Under-23 level. At just twenty years old, she is proving to be one of the WSL’s most promising midfield prospects. Due to her level of quality at both club and youth international level, Wiegman decided to reward Potter with the natural next step in her career, saying "Her performances were just really good. We started following her closely last season and she got minutes over time.” The call-up should not only provide her with experience on some of the world’s largest international stages, but also show her club that she is able to put in a performance in unfamiliar surroundings, meaning that she should be able to strengthen her case and put herself in the pipeline for more opportunities to start when Sonia Bompastor is deciding her starting eleven. Why Were Sarina’s “Super Subs” Left Out? Famously, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly have been labelled the super-sub duo since their history-making UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 triumph. However, this time round, the Lionesses’ manager showed that she is capable of tough love and prioritising those who have maintained better form in the opening stages of the league campaign. Wiegman’s decisions appear to be well justified, considering that Chloe Kelly is yet to play a full ninety minutes for Renée Slegers’ Arsenal side, and as for Toone, she has struggled to make any meaningful contributions to the start of Manchester United's season. With the competition to retain a position in the senior side increasing, it is starting to become more and more important that the manager keeps a close eye on club form too. Sarina Wiegman reiterated this in a press conference when she admitted, “The main reason [for them being left out of the squad] is that I think the levels weren't what I expect from them on the pitch.” Whose Names Made it Back on the List? Despite a few familiar faces missing from this camp, there are a few names that never seem to leave the initial list. These squad selections could show that the manager has built trust in her squad over the years and values them, as well as their playing style. A good example of this would be Arsenal centre-back Leah Williamson. This is because she was forced to withdraw from the previous camp due to an injury. Her return could be crucial in plenty of ways. For example, one of her strengths is that she has the ability to play an excellent long ball, which may help the Lionesses get on the counter if they’re struggling. It may also help her at club level with Arsenal, as they've struggled to get into games recently. The international break could be utilised as a so-called “reset” period because she will be in a new environment with different people. Erica Meg Parkinson has been given another chance to show her quality by the England boss. After receiving her first senior call-up in March at just seventeen years old, she is now eighteen and plays across the pond for NWSL team North Carolina Courage, where she seems to be thriving. After leaving uncapped at the last camp, she will be aiming to get some minutes under her belt, as well as bring interesting elements to this England side. Overall, the changes to the squad show that we are beginning to move away from the Wiegman era as we know it, in order to welcome emerging young talents. However, this does not mean that experience is being pushed aside, with Leah Williamson’s return showing that established players still have an important role to play. The omission of Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly also highlights how important club form has become when it comes to selection, showing that previous success does not guarantee a place in the squad. With the Lionesses now preparing to face Greece, these changes will be put to the test, giving us an early indication of how this evolving squad can perform together.

With the opening round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League fixtures being played earlier this week, it has raised plenty of questions regarding who could be the star of Europe this season. From serial champions, two-time domestic treble winners and coveted Ballon d’Or nominees, this campaign certainly won’t be one that’s short of world-class talent. Among many impressive names, stats from Barcelona midfield maestro Aitana Bonmati, Danish superstar striker Pernille Harder and UEFA Women's EURO 2025 champion Niamh Charles do the talking. Aitana Bonmati Bonmati is quite the veteran when it comes to European football. At 28, she is deemed to be one of the best players in the women's game. She has been a massive addition to this Barcelona squad since the very start of her senior career, being part of many trophy lifts, four of those being in this exact competition. Throughout the 2025/26 Liga F season, the World Cup champion made fifteen appearances. This would imply that she missed over half of the matches played by the Spanish champions through a broken leg, meaning that her team could have lacked decision-making or the ability to read the game in order to know when to make high-tempo runs onto the ball. Although this absence shouldn’t be a true reflection of her playing quality because, despite being sidelined for five months, she still managed to contribute to three goals as well as going solo to rattle the back of the net seven times. With her return to Barcelona set to be relatively soon, teams will be wanting to keep a very close eye on her form. This is because a player like Bonmatti, with years of experience at the highest level, has the potential to slip straight back into her pre-injury form and play like she’s never been off the pitch. However, the fact that she struggled to make any significant contributions in her six UEFA Women’s Champions League appearances last season, has the potential to put her competitors at ease. Pernille Harder Frauen-Bundesliga winner and Denmark international Pernille Harder will certainly be one to watch, as she will want to help her club win their first UEFA Women’s Champions League title. She previously played for one of Emma Hayes’ unstoppable Chelsea sides, where she won one treble as well as two more FA Cups and two more Women’s Super League titles. In July 2023, she joined Bayern Munich and has continued to establish herself as one of their most prolific forwards. Last season, she made 24 appearances out of a possible 26. This could imply that she is a very reliable and trustworthy option, creating stability for her team. During these incredible twenty-four league appearances, she scored sixteen goals and provided seven assists, suggesting that she is able to be versatile and provide quality for her Munich teammates wherever she is able to. As for the previous Champions League campaign, her importance as a key player continued, as she appeared to be relatively clinical when taking shots on goal because eight of her twelve shots on target were converted into goals. Not only that, but she also provided three assists. This is potentially linked to her work rate and ability to win back possession within the final third. With her experience at the highest level of European football, ability to contribute goals and assists, and impressive work rate, Harder will be one to keep a close eye on throughout this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. Niamh Charles Manchester City and England international fullback Niamh Charles has built quite a career for herself by the age of twenty-seven. Ever since the start of her senior career, she has played in the English top flight with both Liverpool and Chelsea. Throughout the 2025/26 WSL campaign, Charles stepped onto the pitch eleven times for Bompastor’s Blues. Her contributions to Chelsea in recent years have led to a remarkable two trebles and twelve major honours in her time. Despite her limited number of appearances, she still managed to show sparks of her quality, creating one opportunity for her teammates last season. After her contract expired in July 2026, she made her way to Manchester City, but is yet to make her debut due to injury. This shouldn’t diminish her as any less of a threat because she has plenty of experience in Europe. She was a part of the squad who participated in the 2021 Champions League final and has been in the starting line-up of many semi-finals. In her earlier days, she utilised her qualities as a winger, but more recently she has defined herself as a defender. This should provide City with a level of versatility, which will be important as Jeglertz’s side are competing on all three fronts and will need the squad depth in order to help with player fatigue and rotation. Due to her experience at the highest level of European football and her ability to play in different positions, Charles could become an important player for City once she returns from injury. Her return to the pitch will be one to keep an eye on as the season progresses. With so many talented players competing in this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League, there are plenty of names who could make an impact throughout the competition. Bonmatí, Harder and Charles all bring different qualities to the table, whether that be years of European experience, an ability to contribute goals and assists or the versatility to adapt to different positions. With the competition now underway, it will be interesting to see whether these three players can live up to the expectations surrounding them and make their mark on another European campaign.

Arsenal newcomer and German forward Lisa Baum stunned in their opening WSL fixture against the Seagulls. Brighton held quite the record against Arsenal last season, gaining points from both home and away matches. However, with Arsenal’s title ambitions increasing, Baum was the one to break the deadlock and make an instant impact inside the opening ten minutes by darting past the Brighton defence. What Led Her to Arsenal? But her impact on a team didn’t just start with Slegers’ side. She began her journey with German side Hamburger SV in 2021. Shortly after in 2022, she signed her first professional contract. Alongside her teammates, she was able to help Hamburger SV secure two promotions in three years. This could demonstrate her winning mentality, which may prove to be pivotal as Arsenal will be looking to add the WSL to their trophy cabinet for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Since her early days, she moved to RB Leipzig, where she gained not only valuable club experience, but international experience too. This may be an advantage for her when she wants to gain valuable minutes in the highly competitive Arsenal setup, because her experience through the German youth levels shows that she has been exposed to competition at all levels. How Does Baum's Playing Style Help Arsenal? Although Renee Slegers describes Baum as “a young wide forward who will bring direct intent and athleticism”, she is a versatile player who shows many different qualities across the pitch. The majority of her strengths lie within the final third, where she can drive at defenders to create space to make room for direct play. This may also help her break down defensive blocks and go 1v1 with defenders to pull them out of shape. This is crucial for the WSL champion hopefuls, as they have previously been criticised by pundits for how they tend to find it difficult against the teams who play in a low block. Once she slices open the defence, she is instantly able to pose a threat to any opposing team. With her composed, left-foot finishing, she is able to take on spectacular shots similar to the one we saw last weekend at Broadfield. For Arsenal, her creativity in front of goal will be valuable because as the season goes on they won’t want to become predictable. A Look at Her 2025/26 Statistics During her final season at RB Leipzig, she racked up some impressive numbers in just a year. In her twenty-five appearances for the Bundesliga side, she played 2114 minutes. This could prove her worthy of a spot in the starting eleven, as it shows her reliability. Not only that, but within those appearances she was prolific and managed to average 0.24 goals last season. This statistic will be specifically important for Slegers and the rest of the Arsenal coaching staff as it will guide them in how to develop her as a more experienced player. She is also capable of opening up opportunities. This suggests that she can be utilised creatively rather than just a clinical forward in front of goal. What Worked Well at Broadfield? Throughout the match against Brighton, Baum quite clearly made her mark as an Arsenal player. Scoring on her debut was one thing, but doing so in such an unstoppable fashion is another. She particularly impressed against the Seagulls. Over the last few seasons, those in red and white have struggled to come away with anything more than a point. But thanks to her creativity and ability to strike, she was able to score within the opening minutes and stand alone on the scoresheet. With such a positive performance under her belt, she should be going into her first game at the Emirates Stadium against Crystal Palace full of confidence and ready for a repeat. Overall, Lisa Baum’s WSL debut showed why Arsenal brought her to the club. Her pace, creativity and ability to take on defenders could give Arsenal another attacking option, while her previous experience could help her adapt to the competitive WSL. Although one performance doesn’t determine how her season will go, her performance at Broadfield gives her a positive start to life in England.

As the 2026/27 WSL season begins, Manchester City will be looking to make a positive start to their title defence. On 6 September, they will welcome newly-promoted Birmingham City to the Joie Stadium. On the back of last season, City will be hoping to retain and build on their success with the addition of UEFA Women’s Champions League football. For the first time in City’s history, Andrée Jeglertz led his team to the WSL and FA Cup double. However, it isn’t Birmingham City’s first rodeo in the top flight as they were relegated in 2022. They will ultimately want to prove that they are able to stay up and that they have enough depth and talent to compete with the league's strongest sides. What Makes Last Season So Successful for City? Last season, Manchester City put on a resilient display as they ended their most successful campaign of the last decade with a win in the FA Cup. Throughout the 22 games, they won eighteen of them. This suggests that they are consistent and have a developed playing style. City have also increasingly benefited from having star players like Lauren Hemp, Bunny Shaw and Yui Hasegawa integrated into the squad rotation, offering versatility and experience in many different positions. For example, with Hemp having most of her experience down the flanks, she is able to inject pace into the runs she makes in and around the box. Success is something that Jeglertz’s side will be looking to build on throughout the course of this season. To continue their run of success efficiently, they have used the transfer window to their advantage. As an example, they have signed rivals Arsenal’s former number nine, Beth Mead. Her presence and experience will be valued and she will be able to bring some of those attributes to City. When she is on the pitch, she is able to deliver pinpoint balls into the box from set pieces. This could be useful for City as they scored more goals from set pieces than any other team in the 2025/26 campaign. However, it has been confirmed by Manchester City that their number six, Vivianne Miedema, has sustained a knee injury and will miss the start of the season. Her absence could give Birmingham City the edge they need to optimise their chances against the reigning Women’s Super League champions. What Led Birmingham City To Be Promoted To the WSL? Getting back to the WSL after being relegated in 2022 could have potentially given the club more perseverance. At the end of last season they were crowned WSL2 champions, with 44 points from twenty-two games. Overall, the Blues have managed to take points from over half of their matches. This is important for Amy Merricks’ squad as it matches her philosophy, focusing on high performance levels. The level of focus could be crucial if Birmingham City are aspiring to keep their place within England’s top flight because they will have to try and adhere to those same levels throughout every minute of every game, no matter who they're playing. The business that Birmingham City have completed throughout the 2026/27 transfer window shows that they are determined to prove that they are not only thinking about the current state of the club, but the very near future of the Blues too. In terms of leadership and experience on the pitch, they have signed former Red Devil Millie Turner. Having her available against City will give Birmingham an ounce of belief because her physicality as a centre back will make defending against fast-paced players like Bunny Shaw a whole lot more comfortable. Being comfortable and in shape against a high-pressing team like Manchester City is so important as their high-press tactics can sometimes pull defenders out of shape. How Have Manchester City and Birmingham City’s Pre-Season Fixtures Prepared Them for the New Campaign? Although City’s pre-season fixtures didn’t get off to the most flawless of starts against Fiorentina when they drew 1-1, they happened to come from behind against Spanish giants Barcelona to level the final result to 2-2. This end result possibly shows that Manchester City have the grit and motivation to find a way to win, which is important when they should be aiming to expand their trophy cabinet. On the other hand, Birmingham City have put themselves in a very difficult situation ahead of the upcoming WSL season. The majority of their pre-season matches were played against their future WSL opponents and the Blues were defeated by some relatively large margins. For example, the biggest loss of the pre-season was a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool. This specific result shows that defence is an area of weakness that will need to improve if the Blues want a chance against those in sky blue. Who is Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and What Can She Offer? Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is one of the WSL’s most prolific forwards. She has been awarded many individual honours throughout her WSL career. As a result of her incredible twenty-one goals last season, she was presented with the Golden Boot for the second consecutive year after sharing the honour with Arsenal’s Alessia Russo for their achievements in the 2024/25 season. Receiving this award could show that Shaw’s strength lies in finding the back of the net. However, she is no stranger to creating opportunities for her teammates. This could cause a slight issue for Amy Merricks, as her team may not know how to deal with a player of Bunny’s versatility and calibre. Who is Lily Crosthwaite and What Can She Offer? The Blues forward has quite the skillset both in possession and out of possession. Throughout the 2025/26 season, she tallied up quite a record of eight goals and six assists. These statistics could be a demonstration of her creativity and the qualities she brings to her team. Off the ball, she is able to contribute defensively and execute good recovery challenges. This trait will benefit Birmingham as they should have an opportunity to combat City’s high-pressing playing style. Possessing this quality could help against City as her teammates know they will be in safe hands, while also minimising opposition chances in and around the box. How Will City Win Their Opening Fixture? City will be hoping to pick up where they left off last season as they hope to retain the league title. As they opt for a possession-based playing style, it is inevitable that they will have possession of the ball for the majority of the game. However, it’s important that when City possess the ball in dangerous areas that they make the most of their chances because it is evident from Manchester City’s previous seasons that goal difference can sometimes be the reason for missing out on the title. Their biggest advantage this season could be their clinical set-piece finishing. For example, in their last campaign they scored fourteen of their sixty-two goals from set pieces. City could use this advantage to exploit Birmingham’s back line, as their defence is something they need to work on after conceding 24 goals last season. How Will Birmingham City Win Their Opening Fixture? On the contrary, Birmingham City will have to prove themselves worthy of their promotion to the Women's Super League. With Merricks focusing on individual performances, she will be hoping that the individual players will be able to gel together to break down a disciplined City side. Their ability to be creative whilst on the front foot could be an incredibly useful tactic for Birmingham, allowing them to draw mistakes from Manchester City and punish them. However, to capitalise on rare mistakes from Andrée Jeglertz’s side, they will have to be extremely consistent, making sure their defensive lines are top-notch. Overall, Manchester City appear to have the advantage and will be expected to win due to them wanting to retain their league title and add to their successes. If Birmingham City want a shock start to the season, they will need to make sure that they stay motivated and disciplined throughout the ninety minutes.

When it replaced the FA Women’s Premier League in 2011, the Women's Super League was a semi-professional league that still required players to rely on their jobs. The original eight founding teams for that 2011/12 season were Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Everton, Lincoln Ladies and Liverpool. Following several developments, the WSL became fully professional by the 2018/19 season. This development led to the changes that have given us the WSL we know today. For example, all players were offered full-time contracts, with the club providing a minimum of sixteen contracted hours per week. Has the Number of International Players Increased? Over the years, it is possible that this level of professionalism has enticed a number of non-English players. FBref data from over the last three seasons shows that there has been a 14% increase in the number of players coming from outside of England. During the 2023/24 season, 61% of the 325 players involved were from outside England. The number of international players then continued to increase throughout the next two seasons. For example, in the following 2024/25 season there were 219 non-English players compared to only 126 English players, and in the 2025/26 season the number of non-English players involved with English sides had increased to 227. These statistics imply that the WSL is growing and creating interest worldwide. A possible reason for the influx of international players could be the improved marketing strategies used by the WSL and potentially the fact that England is home to two-time European champions. Based on recent campaigns, many Women’s Super League clubs have embraced and welcomed new cultures. For example, players from Scotland, Sweden, Japan, Wales, Australia and the Netherlands have become increasingly represented in the WSL. It is evident that over the last three seasons, 158 players have come from these countries. This data possibly highlights the continents and countries that the WSL is attracting as the majority of the international participants during this time come from Europe and Asia. Between 2023/24 and 2025/26, 36 Asian players have made this league their home. How Does the WSL Provide International Visibility for Players? With the rise in the recruitment of global stars, international viewing has become increasingly common. In an attempt to boost the overall media presence of the league, the WSL has partnered with IMG. Another way they are making sure that the women’s game gets the wider coverage that is needed is by making sure that any match not picked up by broadcasters is streamed on YouTube. This strategy is clearly working to bring the players international visibility. During the 2024/25 season, 82% of YouTube views came from outside the United Kingdom. This means that the players are gaining support from more than just those fans who are based in England. The exposure matters, as it is part of a larger scale plan in making sure that women's football is taken as seriously as the men’s. How Does the WSL Create More Opportunities for Players? The WSL has created many opportunities for players. For example, the upcoming 2026/2027 season will be the start of a new era, where there will be fourteen participating teams instead of twelve. This update suggests that the organisers are trying to increase the competition between different clubs. By increasing the number of participating clubs, it could open up the number of opportunities for the players. As a result of this, places will open up in squad setups, meaning that players will be more inclined to play at the highest level. But it isn't just senior teams getting opportunities, the academies are evolving too. During the academy players’ development, sometimes they will be asked to train with the boys. This idea could help the girls to become familiar with different physical demands. This could be integral to their future careers as it prepares them for senior football. This could also help the younger players to develop versatility throughout their game. What Has Been Invested Into the WSL? With the substantial growth of the game, it is almost inevitable that the level of investment grows with the times. To make sure that the growth is financially supported, Barclays have committed £45 million throughout the women's football pyramid. This is important, as the extra funds might allow for a better player environment and more marketing opportunities. A step to building an improved player environment is to begin focusing on where the players prepare for some of their biggest games. The training centres have evolved over time and are so much more than just training pitches, as the players have access to advanced medical care, state-of-the-art gyms and physio rooms. Having these facilities available to them could help to minimise potential injury risks. However, there are still some issues with the quality of facilities. The majority of women's teams are required to share training grounds with the men’s team academies. This is slowly becoming less of a problem due to clubs like Manchester City making investments into a dedicated space for their women's team. However, not many teams are able to do this, meaning that the women are training in less tailored spaces that may not be optimised for their needs. Overall, it is clear why non-English players are gravitating towards the WSL. From creating more opportunities for players to making sure they get international visibility, the Women’s Super League is becoming increasingly attractive to international talent. With the facilities and investment starting to improve, the WSL really is the place to be.

Last season, Sonia Bompastor’s previously treble-winning side suffered disappointment when the Blues recorded their worst finish since 2019, meaning they missed out on automatic UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification and now have to play in a two-legged tie against Spanish side Real Sociedad in order to secure a place in the league phase. However, will the qualifiers hinder or help Chelsea’s 2026-27 Women’s Super League campaign? What Do Chelsea Need to Do to Qualify? In order to make sure they qualify, Chelsea are required to play the first of two legs on home turf at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. This fixture is due to take place on August 26 and whoever comes out on top in the first leg could take a much-needed cushion into the next match on September 2 against Real Sociedad, three days before Chelsea’s opening WSL fixture at The Bridge against Aston Villa. Chelsea are known for having a winning mentality and for always putting their all into every game, so it is important that they win the tie on aggregate to avoid failing to qualify and dropping into the Women’s Europa Cup. For the fans, staff and players, being dropped would be detrimental as there has never been a Chelsea side in recent years that hasn’t competed alongside Europe's elite. How Will Chelsea Deal With the Extra Fixtures? Due to the outcome of last season, Chelsea have ended up with extra fixtures. It is evident that these unusual circumstances have caused an increase in congestion. For example, the gap between the second leg of the qualifiers and the WSL opener is only three days and when training and recovery are factored into such a short window, it is likely that player fatigue could be an issue. How Will Chelsea’s Squad Depth Help Them? With such a star-studded squad, it won't be difficult for them to find suitable rotation options whilst other players are resting up. From Champions League winner Katie McCabe to midfielder Giulia Dragoni, they've had quite the transfer window to potentially give their most experienced players some respite. Having these options will help Chelsea maintain the same level of quality across all domestic competitions. In the back line, there is plenty of experience to help the Blues get through the hefty number of games. For example, two-time UEFA Women’s EURO champion Lucy Bronze has acquired many different attributes to her game over the years. Not to mention USWNT defender Naomi Girma, who has made quite the name for herself after being the first female player to command a transfer fee of over one million dollars following her move from San Diego Wave. However, defence isn’t the only area where Chelsea can afford to rotate their squad. With such a selection in both the midfield and up front, Chelsea appear to be spoilt for choice. Midfield maestro Keira Walsh joined Chelsea in January 2025 from Spanish giants Barcelona. Her experience makes her a valuable option for squad rotation. She was part of the incredible Lionesses squad that reached the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final for the very first time, as well as winning two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles. As for their threats up front, Chelsea are not by any means short of some exceptional talents, whether it be academy graduate Aggie Beever-Jones or an experienced player like Lauren James. Having these options will give Bompastor the freedom to make changes based on squad fatigue and game demands. What Could Make the Extra Fixtures Difficult? The issue with these extra fixtures is that they have left Chelsea in unusual circumstances. This is due to the fact that they usually finish within the top two in the WSL, meaning they were eligible for automatic league phase qualification. Unfortunately for Bompastor, her side finished behind Arsenal. The consequence of these extra fixtures is that the schedule has become quite congested. With the team’s opening WSL fixture against Aston Villa being just three days after the all-important second-leg tie, fatigue could become an issue and potentially hinder them as they begin the new domestic season. How Could the Champions League Qualifiers Benefit Chelsea? The UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers could benefit Chelsea because they give them time to gel with new signings and form player partnerships. This is important as it gives the team an opportunity to test what works and what doesn’t, as well as how to utilise new and returning players ahead of the upcoming WSL campaign. Ultimately, the Champions League qualifiers could present both challenges and opportunities for Chelsea. The congested schedule and short recovery period could cause fatigue, but their squad depth gives Bompastor plenty of options to rotate. The extra fixtures could also help new signings build relationships before the WSL campaign begins. How effectively Chelsea manage these demands could determine whether the qualifiers hinder or benefit their domestic season.

Photo: Katie Chan/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) With a new season upon us comes a new name, new format and even more opportunities. The Subway Players Cup (formerly the Subway Women’s League Cup) has changed not only its name, but its format too. Approaching it in this way opens the competition up to clubs competing in the top two divisions of the women’s football pyramid. However, this coming season player welfare will be the priority, meaning that they will be excluding Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, as they all have pre-existing UEFA Women’s Champions League commitments. It requires them to play additional fixtures and creates extra demand each week. The new format aims to help minimise fatigue by easing calendar congestion, while ensuring that the league phase fixtures will be regionalised. Which Teams are Involved? Throughout the competition, we will see 23 clubs go head-to-head in hopes of bringing the next season’s first piece of silverware home. 11 of these clubs regularly compete in the English top flight: Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, recently promoted Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester United, Spurs and West Ham United. The competition’s aim is to give those 12 teams in the second division more opportunities to test themselves against WSL opposition: Bristol City, Burnley, Durham, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Southampton, Sunderland, Watford and Wolves. How Does the Competition Structure Work? Unlike previous seasons, the WSL has decided to change its format. This means that the group stage no longer exists, but has been replaced by a league phase. The league phase will take place between September and December, when each club will play six regionalised fixtures split between three home games and three away games to try and minimise travel. The participating clubs will be placed in one combined table. By the end of the league phase, clubs finishing in first to eighth will advance to the quarter-final stage of the competition, taking place on the 13th and 14th of January. When are the Key Dates and Fixtures? All teams who progress will earn themselves a place in the semi-finals between the 10th and 11th of February 2027. According to WSL Football (2026), the final will be played on either the 13th or 14th of March 2027. The neutral venue is yet to be confirmed. How Will the Subway Players Cup Impact the Women's Game? The Subway Players Cup will impact the women's game, as it allows WSL 2 clubs to play unfamiliar opponents. It could also help them to adapt to the quality of the WSL. Emma Sidall expressed how being able “to face some of the best players in the world will be a great experience”. The competition could narrow the gap in quality between sides, keeping motivation high to reach the WSL. Jordan Nobbs, a five-time winner of this competition, said her team Newcastle United is excited to compete for a trophy that “everyone wants to win.” The competition’s new format will hopefully tackle player fatigue and help to manage an already congested calendar by introducing regionalised fixtures. The fixtures that will be played allow players to experience new venues as well as plenty of new opportunities.

It’s almost that time of year again where we are greeted with new title challengers, emerging talents, and plenty of twists and turns. This year, the WSL has a variety of players from different backgrounds, including established stars and young breakthrough talents, while others will be looking to make a difference and help their clubs add more trophies to their cabinet. I’ve chosen these players based on their recent form, exciting new transfers, and history of impressive seasons, with each player having the potential to make a significant impact for their club. This season’s opening weekend will begin on the 4th of September, when Manchester United take on London City Lionesses. This game in particular is one to keep fans on the edge of their seats, as there are a few familiar faces on the pitch, ranging from European champions to international legends. With Manchester City's last season being their most successful one to date since the Nick Cushing era in 2016, it shows other clubs that success can be achieved after a prolonged period of time and gives them something to aim for. With all that being said, it reminds us that winning isn't guaranteed because of a team’s legacy. It is based on a team giving their all in hopes of success. That relies on introducing experienced players or new and emerging talents in order to have a better chance at lifting the trophy in the world’s largest domestic league. Alexia Putellas Photo: MichealEmillo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Alexia Putellas has sparked a lot of excitement with her confirmed move to billionaire-owned London City Lionesses. This move was highly sought after by both fans and those at the club due to her decade and a half of experience winning trophies at Barcelona. The ultimate goal for owner Michelle Kang will be a top-three finish and a place in the Champions League group stage. She arrives in Bromley possessing incredible technical ability, with one of her many strengths being her game intelligence. This enables her to make defence-splitting passes and forward runs. Not only is she a clinical finisher with nine goals in 25 appearances, but she is also a creator of opportunities for her teammates to convert chances, with seven assists last season. Alessia Russo Photo: MichealEmillo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) The Arsenal forward has continued to develop in the women's game after joining the club on a free transfer from Manchester United. In the last three seasons, Russo has become a pivotal part of both Arsenal’s and England’s attacks, so much so that it is very rare for her not to be included in the starting lineup. Being trusted in these teams week in, week out has allowed her to build excellent form in front of goal. Fans and coaches will hope that she is able to retain her consistency and lead Arsenal to their first league title since the 2018-19 season. During the 2025-26 season, she netted 13 WSL goals in 22 games, meaning she averaged 0.6 goals per game. This showcases that she is a natural finisher and will no doubt increase Arsenal’s title hopes. Her physicality will also be another one of her many assets that the club will utilise, as she is able to hold up the ball against low-block teams. Slegers’ side have at times struggled to break down and convert against squads that pride themselves on a defensive style. When she does receive the ball, in moments where she is not placing herself in front of goal, she can play key passes and provide assists, showing she is a versatile player who is able to do more than score goals. Grace Clinton Photo: LHC88 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) Merseyside-born midfielder Clinton is no stranger to the Women’s Super League. At just seventeen years old, she was already making her way through the youth ranks at Everton's academy before breaking into the first team. She was then signed by Manchester United and sent on loan to Spurs, where she developed her playing style before returning to United. Most recently, she switched to the sky-blue side of Manchester, where she initially made her debut on the wing but quickly established herself as a box-to-box midfielder, allowing her to cover large areas of the pitch, which is a massive advantage when it comes to the squad’s defensive stability. One of Clinton's main attributes is her ability to control the tempo of the game in all areas of the pitch. Throughout last season, she made twelve appearances, found the back of the net once and contributed to a teammate’s goal. Although these numbers do not appear to be the most impressive on the list, the Manchester City midfielder possesses many other qualities that make her a well-rounded player. Going beyond the statistics, her true value comes from what she delivers when her team is out of possession. Her most notable strength is her ability to make strong defensive contributions. She is especially talented in the air; according to FotMob (2026), she won 88% of her aerial duels last season. Not only can she defend in the air, but she is also excellent in tight, one-on-one situations, which means she can retain possession. This allows her to turn defensive situations into attacking opportunities, while her long-range shooting capabilities add an additional threat to her game. Maya Le Tissier Photo: James Boyes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) Le Tissier, although still only 24, is starting to establish herself as one of Manchester United's most promising centre-backs. Despite her young age, she has been able to achieve some incredible things. In the 2023-24 season, her experience and leadership were evident when she captained her side to Women’s FA Cup glory against Spurs. Since then, she has continued to impress and has played every competitive minute across the past three consecutive seasons. One of Maya’s most notable strengths is her ability to read the game. This allows her to position herself effectively to help her team and prevent opposition chances from finding the back of the net. Year after year, she has been praised for her excellent form, and last season she earned a place in the WSL Team of the Year for the third time. Having such a reliable centre-back as part of United's defensive line aids team stability and gives her teammates confidence that they are in safe hands. Lauren James Photo: James Boyes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) The Chelsea forward and UEFA Women’s EURO champion has wasted no time in making a name for herself. Her reputation in the English top flight comes from years of representing some of its biggest clubs. Her seasons at Chelsea have been among the most influential of her career, helping her to develop her game at the highest level. Her unpredictability will be an advantage for Chelsea as they head into next season, hoping to reclaim the league title. The Blues appeared to struggle with unpredictability last season, and this could have been due to James’ absences through injury, meaning they lost her ability to keep defenders guessing. This created less space for herself and her teammates because they were missing her creativity on the pitch. When James is available in the starting lineup, she plays with a close-control style that allows her to operate in and around the box. This can often cause defenders to feel threatened and slip out of position. This was evident against Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final, when she produced a moment of long-range individual brilliance. With the season starting shortly, I believe that these five players could make a substantial difference to the league, whether it be through creativity, leadership, goalscoring, or experience. With all these qualities being brought to the table, this season should be one that keeps you on the edge of your seat.