England and Spain have got used to playing some pretty big games against each other in recent times. Friday's World Cup qualifying clash might not be as big as last summer's European Championship final or the 2023 World Cup final, but it is still huge, with it to potentially decide which of these two powerhouses qualifies automatically for next summer's tournament in Brazil, with the other to have to navigate the play-offs.
FIFA has launched its Female Health and Performance Project, an initiative aimed at advancing research, education and support for women’s soccer players at every level of the game, with a focus on training methods, health resources and performance guidance designed specifically for female athletes as the women’s game continues to grow globally.
Which player has the most assists in World Cup history ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada? The tournament has been graced by some of the most mercurial players to ever play the game, but which of them have laid on the most goals for their team-mates? And could there be a new assists king come the end of the summer?
England international Missy Bo Kearns has opened up on her devastating miscarriage for the first time and revealed how the medical team at Aston Villa "saved my life" as she was given a "shock" sepsis diagnosis. The Lionesses midfielder announced that she was pregnant with her first child back in March and has now sat down for a lengthy interview on the heartbreak that has occurred since, hoping it will help others.
Spain's devastation after defeat in last summer's European Championship final was palpable. There is perhaps no crueller way to lose than on penalties and that theory was backed up by the heartbreak on show by La Roja's players and staff after England fought back to take the game in Basel to extra time and then defeat the world champions 3-1 via spot-kicks. "Very cruel," was how Aitana Bonmati, the three-time Ballon d'Or winner, put it. "It will hurt for some time."
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
England's qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup is officially underway. The Lionesses started it with a 6-1 win over Ukraine on Tuesday and will continue their quest to secure a place in Brazil when hosting Iceland on Saturday. As runners-up in 2023, few would not expect Sarina Wiegman's side to achieve as much, but who the manager will choose to represent the European champions in South America is a little less certain.
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.
Last month, when Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman was asked if there was concern that her contract situation could prove to be a distraction for England ahead of the 2027 Women's World Cup, she was pretty bullish in her answer. "There is no distraction whatsoever," she responded. "Everyone is really focused on this qualification. I haven't heard anyone in my team or staff that has been occupied with that."
England captain Leah Williamson is fiercely determined to lift the 2027 World Cup to complete her collection of all the major trophies available in women's football. The Arsenal defender is incredibly well decorated, yet one trophy alludes her cabinet and she has expressed her desire to fill the gap left by the biggest prize in international football.
A decade into Gianni Infantino’s presidency, FIFA has expanded globally while becoming more polarizing, shaped by growth, controversy and constant change.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is confident that the topic of her future with the team will not be a distraction as England begin their bid to qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Wiegman, who has overseen back-to-back European Championship triumphs with the Lionesses, is under contract until the end of next year's tournament and says there is "no update" on any renewal, but that it is not a situation that she believes is concerning her staff or players right now.
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.
From stadium anthems to sweltering afternoons in packed arenas, the summer of 1994 marked the moment football - or soccer - truly crashed the American party. It was the World
Cup that changed everything: where global passion met U.S. showtime, and two sporting cultures began to merge.
The United Kingdom has formally submitted its bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, outlining an unprecedented vision centred around 22 stadiums across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If successful, the tournament would become the largest standalone sporting event ever staged in Britain, eclipsing the 2015 Rugby World Cup and Euro 1996.
The United Kingdom has launched a joint bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are hoping to host the tournament in just under a decade, with the proposal including 22 stadiums. The competition would be the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK and the first FIFA World Cup hosted on these shores since 1966.
Como and Switzerland star Alisha Lehmann named a Chelsea star as the toughest-ever opponent she has contested against, while also revealing whether she would rather win the World Cup with the Switzerland national team or the Ballon d'Or. Lehmann left Aston Villa for Italy to join Juventus in the summer of 2024 after spending six years in England and joined Como in the summer.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will open 2026 with its annual January training camp in Southern California, holding sessions at Dignity Health Sports Park from Jan. 17–27. The camp will include a friendly against Paraguay on Jan. 24, featuring a special retirement celebration for Los Angeles native Christen Press, before a second match on Jan. 27 that will be announced at a later date.
Manchester United and the FA reportedly plan to stage the 2035 Women's World Cup final at the new £2 billion Old Trafford stadium instead of Wembley. While the club is keeping its cards close to its chest, senior figures across football believe United fully intend to wrestle the biggest match in women’s football away from Wembley.
There were emotional scenes at Hampden Park after Scotland secured their qualification for next year's World Cup and it was a particularly poignant moment for Andy Robertson, who took time after the match to pay tribute to late Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who lost his life in a tragic car accident in Spain earlier this year.
The uncle of controversial former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales has spoken for the first time after pelting his nephew with eggs at the launch of his new book 'Killing Rubiales', claiming he feels brilliant, like he’s just returned from a relaxing holiday. It has also been bizarrely claimed Rubiales’ uncle wanted to throw breadsticks at him, too.
Gary Lineker is reportedly in talks with Netflix to feature in its US coverage of the 2027 Women's World Cup. The former Match of the Day host left the BBC's flagship football show in May after a string of controversies. Now, the former England international could return to sports broadcasting in 2027, with fellow Rest is Football podcast hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards potentially also being involved.
Luis Rubiales was pelted by eggs during his own book launch on Thursday, which is titled "Matar a Rubiales" (Killing Rubiales). Rubiales’ attempt to relaunch his public image descended into complete chaos as he confirmed afterwards it was his own uncle who turned up and hurled eggs at the former Royal Spanish Football Federation president in front of cameras.
Former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has claimed his sexual assault conviction for kissing Jenni Hermoso was the result of a political witch hunt, insisting the incident was “blown out of proportion.” The ex-RFEF chief broke his silence in a TV interview, defending his actions during Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations and alleging political motives behind his downfall.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is hopeful that the new Manchester United stadium will host the Women's World Cup final in 2035. The Red Devils have outlined plans to build a new 100,000-seater stadium worth £2 billion, which is being called the 'Wembley of the North'. United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is aiming to knock down Old Trafford and build the new venue by 2030.
Brazilian superstar Neymar has been heavily criticised for his latest performance for Santos in a 3-2 defeat to Flamengo. Spanish newspaper Diario AS labelled the former Barcelona and PSG star "slow" and "a disgrace" and warned he faces a real battle to make Carlo Ancelotti's final Brazil squad for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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