Women's football

Arsenal and England star Leah Williamson has enjoyed a summer getaway in Ibiza alongside American model Elle Smith after being forced out of the Lionesses' latest squad through injury. The defender shared snapshots from the trip on social media as she continues her recovery following frustrating fitness setback.

Six stellar members of England’s triumphant UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 squad have been officially awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours List for 2026. The prestigious royal accolades recognise their magnificent back-to-back European title defence in Switzerland alongside significant contributions to football, capping an incredible cycle of success for the national setup.

Beth Mead has completed a move to Manchester City, signing a three-year deal with the new Women's Super League champions after her Arsenal departure was confirmed last month. The England icon spent nine years in north London, winning everything possible, and will now embark on a new chapter, one which also reunites her with partner Vivianne Miedema.

Former England international Mary Earps will officially leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer upon the expiration of her contract on June 30. Following a two-season stint in the French capital, the 33-year-old goalkeeper is reportedly closing in on a return to the Women’s Super League, with Michele Kang’s ambitious London City Lionesses emerging as her most likely destination.

It's always hard for representatives of a team that did not succeed to make a point about issues with a qualifying format, but few could begrudge the frustration evident among the England squad on Tuesday after the Lionesses fell short of the one automatic qualification spot available to them for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

The United States Women’s National Team secured a gritty 1-0 victory over Brazil on Tuesday night, but the football was almost entirely overshadowed by total anarchy on the pitch. In a highly contentious game, the officiating took center stage as a staggering eight red cards were issued to the home side's players and coaching staff.

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

A complete guide to the United States' year, including the SheBelieves Cup and fixtures in qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup

England's Lionesses have always had great goalscorers. Even before the team was the major contender it is now, winning back-to-back European Championships under Sarina Wiegman and reaching a first Women's World Cup final, they could boast some incredible attacking talent, with Arsenal icon Kelly Smith, widely considered the Lionesses' greatest ever player, a prime example.

It was all there for England on Friday, as they faced Spain in Mallorca with automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup on the line. Avoid defeat and the Lionesses would punch their ticket to Brazil, forcing one of their biggest rivals for next summer’s title to have to navigate the play-offs. It was a huge opportunity, but one they spurned in incredible circumstances, suffering a 4-0 loss that stands out as the biggest for this team under Sarina Wiegman.

The USWNT face Brazil for a second time in June as Emma Hayes’ side look for a response after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat. GOAL breaks down the biggest storylines ahead of kickoff.

Alyssa Thompson has enjoyed an electric start to life in London, quickly establishing herself as one of the most exciting young talents in the Women's Super League. The USWNT international made a bold jump from the NWSL to Chelsea last summer and has already surpassed her own internal goals for her debut campaign.

Alexia Putellas has reportedly agreed personal terms with London City Lionesses, as a move to England's Women's Super League looms. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner left Barcelona at the end of the season, after her 14 years with her childhood club concluded with a dominant quadruple, and it appears that her next move is now one step closer to being confirmed.

England women's national team has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years, winning the European Championships in 2022 and 2025 while also reaching the 2023 Women's World Cup final, and those involved in those successes in Sarina Wiegman's side are now starting to creep into the record books when it comes to caps, as well as trophies.

A quick scroll through the Spain squad to face England in a crucial Women's World Cup qualifier on Friday and there is one team represented more than any other: Barcelona. Eleven of the 25 names selected by Sonia Bermudez are based in Catalunya, with La Roja able to tap into that familiarity in a very impactful way over the years. But a lot is going to change at Barca this summer.

England have received a significant injury boost ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Spain, with Sarina Wiegman confirming that Lauren James is fit and ready to feature. The Lionesses travel to Mallorca knowing that avoiding defeat will officially punch their ticket to the 2027 tournament in Brazil with over a year to spare.

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.