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Ballon d'Or Feminin: Who will end Bonmati's dominance?

Aitana Bonmati has won each of the last three Ballons d'Or Feminin - but the accolade will go to someone else in 2026. Will it be two-time winner and fellow Barcelona star Alexia Putellas who reasserts herself as the best player in the women's game? Or could there be a new name on the honour roll when the Golden Ball is handed out in Paris in October?

Stock Up, Stock Down: Heaps and Hutton impress for USWNT

The U.S. women's national team won the three-game series against Japan 2-1, with dominant performances from Lindsey Heaps and Claire Hutton, and some less than impressive showings from a surprising few.

Wesley surprises with goal, assist to spark USWNT's rout vs. Japan

The USWNT beat Japan 3-0 on Friday night, fueled by a goal and assist from center back sub Kennedy Wesley and a strike from Rose Lavelle. The result secured a 2-1 edge in the rare three-game series, as manager Emma Hayes’ “game on” message translated into a sharp performance in Commerce City, Colo.

‘Game on’ - Five keys as USWNT face Japan in series decider

The USWNT will look to close out final game of three-game series against Japan, and after two games, and a 1-1 record, will enter Friday's match with experience, learnings, and something to play for.

Alexia Putellas Leah Williamson Sam Kerr split

Women's World Cup 2027: Full list of qualified teams

GOAL tracks all the qualification campaigns for the 2027 Women's World Cup, breaking down which teams have qualified and which nations could soon join them

USA vs Japan: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

How to watch the Friendlies match between USA and Japan, as well as kick-off time and team news

United States v Japan - International Friendly

Hayes is 'proud' of Wilson's performance vs. Japan

Sophia Wilson, after giving birth to her daughter Gigi in September, returns to the USWNT and the starting lineup for the first time since 2024. Wilson, who earned her 59th cap and 41st start on the night, hadn’t shared the pitch with fellow “Triple Espresso” member Trinity Rodman in 17 months. After a brief feeling-out period, though, the pair looked like they hadn’t missed a beat up top.

Lavelle steals the show as Wilson makes long-awaited return in win

The USWNT won their 10th-straight game, defeating Japan 2-1 to open up a series of three games against their long-time rival this month. Rose Lavelle scored and added an assist to push the USWNT past the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions.

USWNT vs Japan five keys: Wilson’s comeback begins

Sophia Wilson is back, the midfield is settling and key roster battles are heating up as the USWNT face Japan in a crucial three-game stretch.

A new front has opened in the ongoing debate over inclusion in international sport. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called for transgender individuals to be barred

The US President is seeking to strengthen his influence in the world of football. This strategic push, though light on specifics so far, is being watched closely by stakeholders across the sport. From domestic leagues to international governing bodies, officials are weighing how the White House might leverage diplomatic, economic, and cultural levers to expand American interests on and off the pitch. In recent years, football—or soccer, as it is known in the United States—has emerged as a powerful soft-power tool for nations seeking to project influence, attract investment, and build global partnerships. The world’s most popular sport commands billions of fans, making it an attractive arena for political leaders aiming to amplify their messages and forge new alliances. While the details of the President’s plan remain unclear, several potential avenues are under consideration. These include hosting high-profile tournaments, investing in youth development programs, and using the sport as

Egypt and Iran reveal alternative World Cup participation plan With the final whistle on their group stage fortunes blowing, both Egypt and Iran have unveiled a contingency bluepri

Doubts surround the Iranian national team ahead of the World Cup. As the final whistle approaches for football’s showpiece event, observers in Tehran and beyond sense a palpable unease about the team’s readiness. Concerns range from the squad’s defensive fragility to the lingering effects of domestic political pressures that have shadowed its preparations. Analysts point out that the side has struggled to find consistency in high-profile friendlies, and the coaching staff’s public silence only amplifies the uncertainty. Fans, who have seen their team qualify for a record sixth consecutive tournament, now wonder whether the squad can silence the sceptics when the first match kicks off.

2022-World-Cup-Match-Between-USA-And-Iran-in-Qatar

Before the US and Iran… historic clashes that took place at World Cup stadiums

Doubts surround Iran's participation in the World Cup

Ella Toone Manchester United 2025-26-WSL

Toone out of crucial Man Utd & England games as return date revealed

Lionesses star Ella Toone is not expected to return from injury until after the April international break, dealing a significant blow to both England and Man Utd. It's a delay that means the playmaking midfielder will miss United's upcoming games with Manchester City and Bayern Munich, as well as the Lionesses' crucial clash with Spain in World Cup qualifying.

AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia Final - Japan v Australia

Japan crowned Asian champions as Hamano's goal beats Australia

NXGN 2026: Top 25 teenage talents in women's football

The annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Lena Oberdorf and Linda Caicedo in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.

Watch out, England & USWNT: Japan ARE World Cup contenders

With little over a year to go until the 2027 Women's World Cup kicks-off, some of the front-runners for the trophy are obvious. Spain, the reigning champions, and England, the 2023 runners-up, who beat La Roja in the European Championship final last summer, are right up there. The United States' Olympic triumph in 2024 saw them reinstate themselves at the top of the international game while Brazil, as hosts and South American champions, will fancy their chances, too. This month's Asian Cup, though, has served as a reminder that Japan should also be considered as being right in that mix.

Betting spotlight

Arsenal vs Fulham predictions: Gunners to claim low-scoring win

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RANKED: How the Asian Cup will effect WSL clubs

The Women's Asian Cup began on March 1, kickstarting a month that was set to see two of the major tournaments in the women's game take place, with the Africa Cup of Nations to follow on March 17. Incredibly, the latter was postponed just 12 days before it was due to start, but the impact the Asian Cup will have on the continuing club competitions will still be fascinating, as teams across the women's game say goodbye to some of their best players for a few weeks.

United States v Italy - International Friendly

USWNT to face Japan three times in April at NWSL venues

The U.S. Women’s National Team will return to action in April with a three-game series against longtime rival Japan during the FIFA window. The matches will be played April 11 at PayPal Park in San Jose, April 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle, and April 17 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, providing the USWNT with a high-level test against one of the world’s top teams.

Frequently asked questions

: Der Chelsea Football Club wurde am 10. März 1905 in London-Fulham gegründet.
: Der FC Chelsea gehört seit Mai 2022 dem Konsortium BlueCo. Die Eigentümergruppe um den US-amerikanischen Geschäftsmann Todd Boehly und die Investmentgesellschaft Clearlake Capital erwarb den Verein für rund 2,5 Milliarden Pfund von Vorbesitzer Roman Abramovich.
: Die Blues spielen an der Stamford Bridge, einem Stadion im Londoner Stadtteil Fulham. Offiziell eröffnet wurde die Heimspielstätte des FC Chelsea bereits im Jahr 1877 - also noch vor der Vereinsgründung. In 1905 übernahm der Klub die Leichtathletikarena und baute sie in ein Fußballstadion um.
: Im Vergleich der englischen Topklubs ist die Stamford Bridge eines der kleineren Stadien. Die Arena hat eine Kapazität für rund 41.000 Fans.
: Mit 34 großen Titeln gehört der Chelsea FC zu den erfolgreichsten Fußballklubs in England. Neben nationalen Pokalen konnten die Blues auch international die größten Wettbewerbe gewinnen: In 2012 und 2021 holten sie die Champions-League-Trophäe nach Hause.
: Der FC Chelsea konnte insgesamt sechsmal die englische Meisterschaft für sich entscheiden. Den ersten Titel holte der Klub in der Saison 1954/55, als die Liga noch First Division hieß, seit 2004/05 kamen noch fünf weitere Trophäen dazu.
: Ron Harris ist Rekordspieler beim Chelsea FC. Zwischen 1961 und 1980 absolvierte der Innenverteidiger 748 Pflichtspiele für die Blues.
: Toptorschütze des Vereins ist ein Mittelfeldspieler: Frank Lampard konnte in 648 Einsätzen 211-mal zuschlagen.
: Zahlreiche Weltstars haben bereits das Trikot der Blues getragen, die wohl bekanntesten Namen stammen aus der Erfolgsphase seit den frühen 2000ern. Unter anderem standen Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Eden Hazard, Gianfranco Zola, Claude Makelele, N’Golo Kante, Ashley Cole und Michael Ballack für die Londoner auf dem Rasen.
: Auch auf der Trainerbank haben schon einige bekannte Namen gesessen. Den größten Erfolg hatte Chelsea unter Jose Mourinho, mit ihm an der Seitenlinie holte der Verein acht Titel (u. a. 3x Premier League, 3x League Cup, 1x FA Cup, 1x Community Shield). Bei den beiden CL-Trophäen coachten Roberto Di Matteo (2012) und Thomas Tuchel (2021), unter Carlo Ancelotti holten die Blues das Double aus Liga und FA Cup (2009/10).
: Aufgrund der Vereinsfarben ist der FC Chelsea auch unter dem Spitznamen "The Blues" bekannt.

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