NWSL

NWSL news

Micayla Johnson, Scottie Antonucci, USA

Johnson, Ream headline U.S. U17 Women's World Cup roster

U.S. coach Katie Schoepfer has selected the 21-player roster that will represent the country at the 2025 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco next month, with the squad featuring an three current NWSL professionals. The American team will begin their tournament journey against Ecuador on Oct. 18 before facing China and Norway in the remaining Group C matches.

Los Angeles Clippers Media Day

Angel City FC add NBA star Paul among others to ownership group

Angel City Football Club announced significant additions to their star-studded ownership roster, welcoming NBA superstar Chris Paul, philanthropist Solina Chau, consultant Ina Coleman, and entrepreneur Paul Bernon. The addition of these four accomplished individuals further strengthens the club's unique ownership structure that now includes over 100 investors spanning sports and more.

Mariona Caldentey Aitana Bonmati Alessia Russo split

Ballon d'Or Feminin: Official 30-player rankings revealed

The Ballon d'Or. Love it or loathe it, it's the award every footballer in the world dreams of one day winning. And now, after a memorable 2024-25 campaign, the winner of the 2025 Women's Golden Ball has been announced: Aitana Bonmati. The Barcelona star was exceptional for her club this past year, her world-class consistency standing out as the Catalans won a domestic treble, while her performances for Spain were enough to make her the Euro 2025 Player of the Tournament.

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2025 NWSL Media Day

NWSL's Berman seeks extension, supports rolling expansion

When asked about her contract status, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman stressed she intends to remain in the role, while also announcing a major shift in the league’s expansion strategy. The NWSL will move from fixed application windows to a flexible rolling process, following two rounds of expansion that drew interest from over a dozen ownership groups.

Denver Summit NWSL

Expansion side Denver Summit at 15,000 season ticket deposits

Denver Summit FC have reached 15,000 season ticket deposits ahead of their inaugural season, the club announced. One of two new NWSL clubs for 2026, the team has already become the quickest expansion franchise to reach 10,000 season ticket pricing, and plan to play their first two seasons at a temporary location.

San Diego Wave v Houston Dash

ESPN expands NWSL coverage with new media rights deal

The National Women's Soccer League has finalized a supplemental media rights agreement with ESPN that expands the network's coverage for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Under the new terms, ABC and ESPN networks will carry 16 additional regular-season games each year, increasing their total NWSL match coverage from 33 per season.

Germany v USA - Women's Under-23 International Friendly

USWNT star Shaw to join NJ/NY Gotham FC in NWSL record trade

USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw is set to complete an NWSL record transfer to NJ/NY Gotham FC from the North Carolina Courage. The Bats have reportedly agreed to pay a fee of $1.25 million for Shaw, which is more than double the previous record set less than a month ago when the Kansas City Current signed Ally Sentnor.

Laila Harbert England Women 2025

Portland Thorns make shocking move for Arsenal youngster

Portland Thorns have completed the signing of Arsenal sensation Laila Harbert on a short-term loan deal that will be valid until January. The 18-year-old midfielder, who signed her first professional contract with the Gunners in January 2025, spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Southampton. Harbert has been part of the Gunners' youth system since the age of nine.

Frequently asked questions

Al-Hilal are the most successful Saudi Pro League side ever, having won an astonishing 19 league titles. Their first-ever league title came at the end of the 1976-77 campaign. Currently, they are also the defending champions, having gone all the way in the 2023-24 season.

Currently, there are 18 teams in the Saudi Pro League. In the first season ever, which took place in 1976-77, there were just eight teams. The number increased to 10 in the following season. Ahead of the 1981-82, Saudi Premier League and Saudi First Division merged to form one single league for the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification process. However, from the 1984-85 season, the number teams reverted to 12.

Legendary Saudi Arabian goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea holds the record for most appearances in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Deayea played for Al-Taee and Al-Hilal and managed 406 appearances inthe league.

Majed Abdullah, also known as the Arabian Pele, is the league's all-time leading topscorer with 189 goals in 194 league games, all of them coming with Al-Nassr in a 21-year span. He is Al-Nassr's record goalscorer, with 259 goals in just 266 games.

Former Syrian midfielder Jehad Al-Hussain has registered the most assists in Saudi Pro League history, setting up 50 goals for his teammates in 208 games.

Former Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary is the oldest player to ever feature in Saudi Pro League. El Hadary was 45 years and 81 days old when he featured for Al-Taawoun in April 2018.

Teenage sensation Talal Haji, who plays for Al-Ittihad, is the youngest player to ever play in Saudi Pro League. Haji achieved this feat at the age of 16 years and five days when he came on as a substitute for Romarinho in Al-Ittihad's 2-1 win over Al-Fateh in September 2023.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Riyad Mahrez, Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino, N'Golo Kante, Sadio Mane, Yassine Bounou, Nacho, Aymeric Laporte, and Fabinho are among the most famous players to have played in the Saudi Pro League.

Steven Gerrard, Laurent Blanc, and Stefano Pioli are some of Saudi Pro League's most prominent managers in history.

The King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, which is home to Al-Shabab and Al-Riyadh, is the biggest stadium in Saudi Pro League. It has a capacity of 68,752.

Neymar is the most expensive player in Saudi Pro League history, costing a whopping £77.6 million when Al-Hilal bought him from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.