WSL news

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has asked a “what are you doing with this girl” question of the Gunners after seeing USWNT star Jenna Nighswonger exiled from Renee Slegers’ plans. The United States international moved to north London in January but has seen limited game time across her spell in England, with the 24-year-old defender failing to make WSL matchday squads.

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.

Aitana Bonmati claimed her third successive Ballon d'Or on Monday, beating out competition from Spain team-mate Mariona Caldentey and Lionesses star Alessia Russo. The Arsenal duo got the better of Bonmati's Barcelona in this year's Champions League final but it was she who was called to the stage again in Paris, joining Lionel Messi and Michel Platini as the only other players to win the Golden Ball three years in a row.

Paris Saint-Germain have been ranked as the Men's Club of the Year at the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala after Les Parisiens won a historic quadruple led by Luis Enrique. Arsenal were named the Women's Club of the Year after their massive Women's Champions League campaign last season under Renee Slegers, becoming the first side to dethrone Barcelona from the pedestal.

Lionesses star Hannah Hampton was crowned the world's best goalkeeper on Monday as she won the first-ever Women's Yashin Trophy following her incredible exploits during England's Euro 2025 triumph. That wasn't the only reason for her success, either, with the shot-stopper also starring for Chelsea throughout a 2024-25 campaign which saw the Blues win the Women's Super League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Manchester United vs Arsenal has become one of the biggest fixtures in the WSL calendar since it was first played in 2019. The most recent meeting between the sides on Sunday afternoon was watched by a crowd in excess of 8,000 for the third year in a row at Leigh Sports Village.

Fara Williams spoke about Matt Beard from the heart during BBC Sport's WSL coverage of Manchester United vs Arsenal, after his sudden passing at the age of 47 rocked the women's football world. The Lionessses legend turned pundit knew the former Liverpool manager better than most after playing a central role in his greatest career triumphs.

In the last few years, it's seemed relatively easy to predict the winner of the Ballon d'Or Feminin. In 2025, though, it feels incredibly tricky, especially after England's win over Spain in the European Championship final.

Arsenal's perfect start to the new Women's Super League season came to an end on Sunday at Manchester United as the Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw in a game they had the better of. Olivia Smith hit the crossbar, Caitlin Foord whistled an effort just wide and Alessia Russo had a decent opportunity through on goal saved as Renee Slegers' side turned the screw in a hard-fought encounter, but the visitors had to settle for a point on the road in the end.

Manchester United dropped their first WSL points of the season when being held to a goalless draw by Arsenal, who had also opened the 2025-26 campaign with back-to-back wins. An emotional afternoon saw tears shed before kick-off as tributes were paid to former Liverpool manager Matt Beard, who passed away on September 20 at 47 years of age.

Alisha Lehmann has paid an emotional tribute to Matt Beard following the tragic news of the former Liverpool and West Ham manager’s death. Lehmann worked with Beard during her time with the Hammers, which started her career in the WSL and helped to launch her towards stardom, with the Swiss forward saluting “the first person that believed in me”.

In-form striker Aggie Beever-Jones scored again as Chelsea made it three wins from three with a tight 1-0 victory over Leicester City in the Women’s Super League on Sunday. The Blues forward maintained her perfect record of scoring in every WSL game so far this season with a well-taken finish against Rick Passmoor’s Foxes, who played well for large periods but lacked killer instinct in the final third.

Liverpool have announced that their Women's Super League fixture with Aston Villa has been postponed following the tragic death of their former manager Matt Beard. The WSL has also confirmed that all clubs who remain in action on Sunday will hold a minute's silence to honour the passing of the 47-year-old.

Leading figures from women's football have taken to social media to pay tribute to Matt Beard following the tragic death of the former Liverpool manager. The Women's Super League club announced on Saturday that Beard had passed away at the age of 47, hailing the most successful manager in their history as "a person of real integrity and warmth" in a statement.

Liverpool have been left devastated after confirming the sudden death of former women’s team manager Matt Beard at the age of just 47. The news has sent shockwaves through football, with tributes pouring in for a man who transformed the women’s game in England and became the most decorated coach in Liverpool Women’s history.

Alessia Russo has opened up on her footballing journey, admitting that the sport has shaped her life but also teaching her that there is more beyond the pitch. The Arsenal and England striker reflected on the bold decision to leave home for college in the United States, her close bond with Lotte Wubben-Moy, and the painful memory of the 2023 World Cup final defeat.

On Monday, the winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or Feminin will be crowned in Paris. The last four editions of the prestigious accolade have gone to players representing Spain, with both Alexia Putellas and then Aitana Bonmati claiming back-to-back triumphs. It's possible that a member of La Roja comes out on top this time around as well, with Mariona Caldentey a front-runner alongside those two. But muscling in among them is someone who has helped break all of their hearts this year: Alessia Russo.