WSL news

A fresh look at women's football in Football Manager 26 has been unveiled as Sports Interactive revealed the biggest female database in gaming. After years of promises, setbacks, and cancelled editions, the studio has confirmed that from November 4, players can step into the dugout of legendary women’s teams across the globe. This isn’t a token gesture. This is the largest-ever women’s football database in gaming, spanning continents, leagues, and thousands of players.

Liverpool have been left devastated after confirming the sudden death of former women’s team manager Matt Beard at the age of just 47. The news has sent shockwaves through football, with tributes pouring in for a man who transformed the women’s game in England and became the most decorated coach in Liverpool Women’s history.

Liverpool Women's manager Gareth Taylor paid a moving tribute to former boss Matt Beard after he passed away at just 47. Taylor admitted the shock has left a "big void" across the Reds' Melwood base and beyond. On Monday, the squad gathered in silence at training, holding a minute of reflection in his honour.

Leah Williamson was among the superstars in attendance at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with the Arsenal and England defender being joined at that event by model girlfriend Elle Smith. They thoroughly enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in world football, and made the most of an opportunity to let their collective hair down afterwards when enjoying a McDonald’s takeaway.

Lauren Hemp has spoken about a surprising and amusing routine she does before games, fake tanning in the buildup to be freshly bronzed out on the pitch. Speaking to ex-England internationals Karen Carney and Jill Scott, the Lionesses winger joked that she can't always be bothered do it properly and the Manchester City star laughed it off as 'a ritual of mine'.

The stadium used by Manchester United Women and the club's Under-21 men is officially being renamed from Leigh Sports Villag. The immediate change was approved by Wigan Council this week and reflects a renewed emphasis on community spirit and shared values. The rebrand comes just days after United Women set a new attendance record at the venue.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor revealed an outrageous question she has been forced to answer that other clubs would "never ask" a man. Despite steering the Blues to a historic domestic treble last season, the Frenchwoman says people still question whether she can balance being a mother of four with leading one of the biggest clubs in women's football.

Carla Ward has spoken bluntly about Manchester United and the club's commitment to its women's team this season. The Red Devils have started well but the former Birmingham City and Aston Villa boss took issue with Marc Skinner only naming four outfield players on the bench for Sunday's WSL win over Liverpool amid growing concerns from fans about squad depth.

Every month, GOAL brings you the top stories involving teenage wonderkids and the world's best young footballers. During September, there was plenty to be said about the likes of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono, but there were also plenty of other headlines made by the planet's emerging stars in both the men's and women's games.

Manchester United and Chelsea both continued their unbeaten starts to the Women's Super League season as a stunning Anna Sandberg strike earned the Red Devils a well-deserved 1-1 draw against the champions, who dropped points for the first time this season. Wieke Kaptein scored an early opener for the Blues and both sides could have gone on to clinch victory in an entertaining encounter between the two early pace-setters.

Chloe Kelly was trying her best to get the last laugh against Manchester City, as she cheekily replied to the taunts of a fan account with a photo of her celebrating Arsenal's Champions League victory last summer. Kelly had come off the bench to level the scores against her previous employers on Saturday, but her dreams were dashed by Iman Beney's late winner, giving City a 3-2 win.

Chelsea forward Sam Kerr has received her first Matildas call-up in two years. The talismanic striker has finally earned her long-awaited return to the Australian national squad after overcoming injury heartbreak and surgery. The Blues forward, who tore her ACL during a mid-season training camp in Morocco back in January 2024, has endured a gruelling 20-month road to recovery. But now, the 32-year-old icon has been named in Joe Montemurro’s Australia squad for their October friendlies against Wales and England, her first international call-up since late 2023.

Manchester United came from behind to win in convincing fashion as Everton were put to the sword 4-1 in the first Women's Super League fixture to take place at Hill Dickinson Stadium, largely thanks to goals by Melvine Malard and substitute Jess Park. The Toffees had taken the lead in the first half through Honoka Hayashi, but Malard equalised before Hikaru Kitagawa put through her own net to turn the game around. It would then be Park who sealed the day with two strikes off the bench.

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.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has blasted England manager Sarina Wiegman after her astonishing claim that Manchester United skipper Maya Le Tissier is better suited to right-back than centre-half, despite the defender being one of the most consistent defenders in the Women’s Super League. Wiegman’s insistence came as a shock to many, with Wright joining a growing chorus of voices demanding answers over why the United captain continues to be overlooked in her natural position for the national team.

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.

Diego Costa proved he’s lost none of his trademark aggression after bulldozing Chelsea Women’s legend Gemma Davison during a training session for a recent charity match. The former Blues striker sent Davison flying in a heavy challenge, with John Terry summing it up perfectly afterwards. The former captain admitted: “That’s Diego in a nutshell. He just doesn’t give a s***.”