England news

The public war of words between Eni Aluko and Laura Woods has continued, with the former England international hitting back at the ITV and TNT Sports presenter. Aluko has recently said her path towards punditry roles in the women's game has been blocked by England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright, leading to Woods quipping that "caps don't win automatic work". Now, Aluko has claimed Woods' comments have left her feeling "gaslit".

Eniola Aluko has bitten back at fellow pundit Laura Woods amid an ongoing feud over Ian Wright's presence in women's football punditry. The former England international has claimed that Wright should "sacrifice" his own work to allow her opportunities to step in front of the camera.

Laura Woods has fired back at former Lionesses star Eni Aluko after seeing the ex-England international suggest that “the women’s game should be by women, for women”. Aluko has previously taken issue with Ian Wright enjoying a prominent role in coverage of women’s football, claiming the Arsenal great is “dragging women’s punditry backwards”. TV presenter Woods, who regularly hosts men’s and women’s games, has picked holes in Aluko’s arguments.

Eni Aluko has renewed her public criticism of the choice of male pundits in women's football, aiming a dig towards Ian Wright and Nedum Onuoha for their TV roles covering the Lionesses' Euro 2025 final at ITV and the BBC, respectively. This is not the first time that Aluko has called out a perceived lack of opportunities for female pundits, criticising Wright in the past for his prominent place within the women's game before issuing a public apology for her words.

Ella Toone will miss both legs of Manchester United's Champions League play-off clash with Atletico Madrid this month and she is also unlikely to be included in the next England squad, ahead of the Lionesses' 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign beginning against Ukraine in March. The midfielder is recovering from a hip issue that has sidelined her since December.

Manchester United have bid farewell to a highly-rated Lionesses prospect after Keira Barry ended her 10-year association with the club and joined NWSL side Bay FC. It's the second time this week that head coach Emma Coates has brought a familiar face over to the United States, having left her role in the England's youth national teams to take up this position in December.

England's most recent debutante, Anouk Denton, has joined NWSL club Bay FC from West Ham in what is reportedly a club-record sale for the Hammers. The 22-year-old defender won her first cap for the Lionesses back in December and is now set for a new chapter in 2026, moving to the United States after impressing in London for the last three years.

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor has explained why Lionesses star Lucy Bronze missed out on Sunday's Women's Super League defeat to table toppers Manchester City. The England defender was a surprise absentee from the teamsheet at the Etihad Stadium and there will be concern that she could be unavailable for even longer, having felt pain in the same shin that she broke during the 2025 European Championship.

For the first time in history, women's football is going to crown a club as, officially, the best in the world. After years and years of planning, FIFA have created competitions akin to the men's Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cups. This week, Arsenal, Gotham FC, Corinthians and AS FAR will compete in the semi-finals of the inaugural Women's Champions Cup.

Arsenal have had their fair share of success stories over the years when it comes to the women's side of the academy. Leah Williamson, England's two-time European Championship-winning captain, and Lotte Wubben-Moy, also part of those triumphs with the Lionesses, are two of the most high-profiles examples of players who have progressed through the youth set-up and become key members of the first team - and they will not be the last.

New Year's Eve is almost upon us, meaning 2025 is about to be consigned to the past - but how will it be remembered by the football world? It was certainly an unforgettable year for some players, coaches and clubs. Paris Saint-Germain, for example, finally got their hands on the trophy they craved above all others, the Champions League, thus vindicating a sensible change in recruitment strategy by the club's owners, who went from signing superstars to investing millions in youth.

England Women's manager Sarina Wiegman has been made an honorary dame in the New Year Honours List, after guiding the Lionesses to European Championship glory last summer. Arsenal captain Leah Williamson, as well as several team-mates, have also received gongs following the triumph in Switzerland.

England’s Lionesses are set to dominate the New Year’s Honours List after their dramatic European Championship triumph, with several key players and staff poised to be recognised by the King. From match-winning heroes to the architect of back-to-back continental success, a rare haul of gongs is expected to underline a historic year for women’s football.