Women's football

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Manchester United star Jess Park has withdrawn from the Lionesses squad for international friendlies against Brazil and Australia due to a delayed concussion. The 24-year-old was ruled out of the Red Devils' Champions League win over Atletico before the international break and experienced some symptoms after joining the England camp. Jess Naz has been added to Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad in Park's place.

Given she has been an unused substitute for 12 of England's 13 games in 2025, it wouldn't be a huge shock if Maya Le Tissier didn't feature for the Lionesses during their October international window - and yet, the Manchester United captain has come into camp as one of the most talked about names of the 24 Sarina Wiegman has selected for games against Brazil and Australia. Why? Because the England boss' perspective on the 23-year-old is very different to that of the majority.

Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 14 teams across the National Women's Soccer League

Jimmy Butler has bought a minority stake in the San Diego Wave, who compete in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The 36-year-old NBA star, famously nicknamed “Jimmy Buckets” for his fierce competitiveness, has revealed he wants to help “build something lasting” in the women’s game.

It has been confirmed that U.S. Soccer's 2031 Women's World Cup bid will include Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica. The announcement comes after FIFA gave unanimous approval to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. It is a new chapter in women’s football with even more participating nations, a greater number of matches, and a global reach never seen before.

Bayern Munich and Germany have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Lena Oberdorf has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee for the second time in little more than a year. The 23-year-old only returned from the first of those setbacks this past summer but is now facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines and another arduous recovery, having described the previous one as "hell".

England's list of injury absentees for the October camp has grown again after Katie Reid and Grace Clinton withdrew from Sarina Wiegman's squad, joining Leah Williamson, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp on the sidelines. The Lionesses will take on Brazil and Australia in a pair of interesting friendlies but will have to do so without a full complement, with Millie Bright also retiring earlier this month.

Trinity Rodman has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain, having seemingly avoided a more serious injury after being helped off the field in tears during Wednesday's 4-0 win over Monterrey in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. There has been no timetable set for her return, but Rodman is expected to miss the U.S. women's national team's upcoming friendlies.

Arsenal have been dealt a devastating blow after goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during training. The 29-year-old Austrian shot-stopper sustained the injury just a day before the Gunners’ 2–0 Champions League victory over Benfica on Thursday. Although she had lost her starting place, she now faces a very long spell on the sidelines.

Jenni Hermoso has been recalled to the Spain squad by new head coach Sonia Bermudez. The legendary forward, who is her country's all-time leading goalscorer, was caught up in the Luis Rubiales scandal which accompanied La Roja's World Cup triumph in 2023. She is now stepping back into the fold alongside former Barcelona team-mate Mapi Leon, who sees a three-year exile from the international arena brought to a close.

Arsenal star Beth Mead admits that she is "not the biggest fan" of the new Women's Champions League format. Changes have been made to elite European competition that mirror those made in the men's game. Rather than a group stage playing out, all 18 teams are now placed into one league table - with the Gunners hoping to successfully navigate that en route to defending their continental crown.

England's Lionesses have yet another injury concern on their hands when it comes to their October fixtures after Jess Park was ruled out of Manchester United's final game before the international break. The winger has been in fine form since joining from Manchester City on deadline day but is now a doubt for her country's first game since Sarina Wiegman guided them to another European Championship triumph.

Barcelona Femeni captain Alexia Putellas created Women's Champions League history on Wednesday as her goal against Roma saw her leapfrog former striker Jenni Hermoso and three-time Ballon d'Or holder Aitana Bonmati. Putellas will now be eyeing further history with the dominant Catalan outfit just a month after he she received a mouth-watering offer from Paris Saint-Germain Feminines.

Trinity Rodman was injured during the Washington Spirit's CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage win over Monterrey Wednesday night and had to be removed from the game. The USWNT star couldn't put any weight on her right leg as she departed. Rodman was in distress after attempting a tackle, and left the field on crutches at half time.

Two-time World Cup champion Christen Press announced her retirement from professional soccer on Wednesday, bringing an end to a remarkable 14-year career as one of the most accomplished forwards in United States women's national team history. The 36-year-old star scored 64 international goals, ranking ninth all-time in USWNT history.

Arsenal are hopeful of having Leah Williamson back from injury before Christmas, according to head coach Renee Slegers. The Lionesses captain has been on the sidelines since sustaining a knee injury during England's Euro 2025 triumph that required surgery shortly after the tournament concluded. But she is "progressing well" in her recovery, which hit an important milestone on Tuesday when she did her first training session on the pitch since that procedure.

Tension is brewing in Spanish women’s football after Real Madrid reportedly blocked plans to hold the Women’s Super Cup in Miami. Several clubs have expressed frustration, accusing Los Blancos of halting a major financial and branding opportunity. Some even believe Madrid’s refusal stems from fear of facing Barcelona on American soil.

When Chelsea signed Ellie Carpenter in the summer transfer window, one of the first thoughts for many was: What does this mean for Lucy Bronze? Eight years younger than the Lionesses star, Carpenter firmly established herself as a world-class right-back during a trophy-laden five-year stint with Lyon. Was she now moving to London to usurp one of England's biggest names?

Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 14 teams across the National Women's Soccer League

Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier was included in Sarina Wiegman's latest England squad on Tuesday. But while there is a gaping long-term hole in the centre of the Lionesses' defence after Millie Bright's international retirement, Wiegman is still insistent on using Le Tissier in a different position, much to the annoyance of her club's social media team.

The NWSL has granted Commissioner Jessica Berman a three-year contract extension, keeping her in charge through the 2028 season. Berman’s initial four-year deal, signed in 2022, was set to expire after the current season. The extension comes after months of deliberation among league ownership, and puts her in position to lead into new phases.

As Sarina Wiegman prepared to announce her first England squad since the Lionesses triumphed at the European Championship back in July, one of the biggest questions surrounded Millie Bright. After missing that triumph, citing physical and mental fatigue as she withdrew from selection, would the Chelsea captain be available again? Three months on, we have our answer.

On Tuesday, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) officially presented Sonia Bermudez as the new head coach of the Spanish women's national team, who will be succeeding Montse Tome in the role. Bermudez, one of the best players in Spain during her time, addressed the future of veteran striker Jenni Hermoso, who was left out of the Euro 2025 squad.

Alexia Putellas is back to her best for Barcelona Femini after getting rid of her injury woes in the past few years. In the final few days of the transfer window, reports from Spain mentioned that Paris Saint-Germain were ready to make a record-breaking offer for the two-time Ballon d'Or winner. The Spaniard, however, stayed put and has now shed light on PSG's interest as well as her future at Barca.

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has opened up on the process which has seen Taylor Hinds switch her international allegiance back to England from Jamaica, just a year after making her debut for the Reggae Girlz. Hinds had represented the Lionesses all the way through the youth national teams before pulling on the gold and green and she has now accepted a first senior call-up for England ahead of fixtures against Brazil and Australia later this month.

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is without all of Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp for England's October friendlies against Brazil and Australia, paving the way for her to hand out three debut senior call-ups in her latest squad, revealed on Tuesday. Among them is talented teenager Katie Reid, who has deputised impressively for the injured Williamson at Arsenal at the start of the new season.

Alisha Lehmann has often attracted attention for her glamorous on-field appearances and a lifestyle rarely seen among the majority of women footballers in Europe. The Swiss star, however, explained that having a social media presence can accelerate the growth and popularity of women's football. Lehmann left Juventus over the summer and joined Como, where she believes women are able to yield all the power.

Lionesses star Millie Bright has announced her retirement from international football. The Chelsea captain withdrew from selection for the European Championship earlier this year, citing mental and physical fatigue, and has now followed that up by calling time on her England career, having had the summer to "reflect" while Sarina Wiegman's side clinched another continental crown.