Arsenal in Shock FA Cup Exit | UK to Bid for Women's World Cup 2035

March 10, 2025

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...

  • Picks from the pitch: Two big goalkeeping moments - the good and the ugly

  • Latest headlines: UK Women’s World Cup 2035 bid incoming

  • In focus: WPLL responds to relegation debate

  • What we’re watching: Our pick of the week’s upcoming matches

  • Jobs: New opportunities in football

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Our top Quarter-Final FA Cup moments

  1. Yamashita with a huge save to deny Ebony Salmon

  2. The shot from Sophie Roman Haug, the unfortunate deflection off the post and the subsequent own goal, courtesy of van Domselaar. Arsenal's FA Cup exit sealed.

  3. Jess Park is oozing confidence after the last international break.

  4. This Mary Fowler assist and the way Bunny Shaw finished with the nutmeg was just 👌

  5. Leah Galton. Solid. No nonsense. Job done. 

RESULTS

FA Cup quarter finals were centre stage this weekend. Everyone loves the FA Cup for an underdog story, and although Sunderland didn’t quite manage to carry on their dream run, the big shock came as Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of managerless Liverpool.

Semi-final fixtures (12 April):

  • Chelsea vs Liverpool

  • Manchester City vs Manchester United

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

🇬🇧 It’s official, the UK nations are preparing a joint bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. Their expression of interest will be submitted this month, and after a hugely successful Euro 2022 tournament (still the best summer of my life) there are high hopes for the UK bid.

⏰ FIFA has confirmed the Women's Club World Cup will launch in 2028 instead of 2026, with a smaller Women's Champions Cup debuting first. The Champions Cup will be a six-team tournament featuring winners from each confederation's club championships and will take place between 28 Jan - 3 Feb 2026.

🩼 For once those fateful three letters have been put back in their box. Ruby Mace has not ruptured her ACL. She went off during Leicester City’s midweek WSL game against Chelsea and although she has sustained a right knee injury, it does not require surgery. No recovery timeframe has been given. 

👋 Yuki Nagasato, the 37-year-old Japanese World Cup winner and former Chelsea player, has announced her retirement. 132 caps, 58 goals, one World Cup and a silver Olympic medal for her country, Nagasato also made history after signing for a men’s team to challenge boundaries regarding gender in sport.

🧑‍⚖️ Spanish prosecutors are demanding a retrial of Luis Rubiales. Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault against Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup Final (and fined €10,800) but he, and three co-defendants were found not guilty of coercion. They’re appealing that verdict and said the trial was biased in his favour. 

🔍 Bay FC coaching staff will be independently investigated after the San Francisco Chronicle reported a ‘toxic’ culture at the club, two unnamed players using that term to describe the team environment. The NWSL has confirmed a formal review will take place.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

Our best reads this week…

→ Ever wondered how a national team picks their base camp for a major tournament? Here’s how England did it ahead of this summer’s Euros.

🔎 IN FOCUS

WSL Relegation Debate: WPLL responds

Plans to pause relegation in the Women’s Super League (WSL) from the 2026-27 season have caused a stir (understatement), with fans and football figures voicing concerns about the league’s future direction.

What happened?

  • Last week the Guardian revealed that the WSL’s owner, the Women’s Professional League Ltd (WPLL), is looking at suspending relegation for four seasons to help grow the league from 12 to 16 teams.

  • Promotion would still happen, possibly through a playoff system, but relegation might not return after 2030.

  • Fans and critics were quick to react online, with many worried this could lead to a "closed league" and undermine the jeopardy, and the competition that makes English football distinct.

How did the bigwigs respond?

  • Nikki Doucet, CEO of WPLL, said promotion and relegation are still crucial to the game but argued that flexibility is needed to support growth. She added that fan reactions on social media hadn’t changed their thinking on the proposals.

  • FA CEO Mark Bullingham said a closed league isn’t acceptable but suggested that growing the league through promotion without relegation could work if it benefits the women’s game overall.

  • The FA has the power to block any changes and has made it clear they won’t back plans that scrap relegation entirely.

What’s next?

  • The WPLL will consult fans, clubs, and other stakeholders before clubs vote on the proposal later this year. Any changes will need FA approval by August 2025. 

Want to take action?

  • Fans have set up a petition against the planned changes here

  • Studs has drafted a letter template you can use to voice concerns with your football club and the WPLL

🗳️ What do you think of the plans for WSL and WSL2?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

👀 FAVE FINDS

Arsenal x Camden Town Brewery

Women’s football and beer. What’s not to like? In a match made in NW5, Camden Town Brewery has released a limited edition lager, adorned with the Arsenal women’s team. The image was created by photographer Annabel Staff. Get your four pack here

  • The new NWSL season is about to kick off, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll love a bit of Fantasy Football to keep things interesting. Well, you’re in luck. The team behind Fantasy WSL in the UK has just launched a NWSL version. Download the app here

  • Newly-wed Sophia Wilson (was Smith) has announced she and husband Michael Wilson are expecting their first child. (Take note if you’re currently deliberating over your Fantasy NWSL team!).

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Latest transfers

  • Millie Bright has signed a one-year contract extension at Chelsea taking her to summer 2026, with the option of a further one-year extension. Bright has made 280 appearances for the club over 12 seasons, joining in 2014 from Doncaster Rovers Belles. 

  • Finnish international and Spurs midfielder, Olga Ahtinen, is close to a permanent move to Swedish club Hammerby after making only three starts in the WSL this season. She completed a medical this week.

  • Manchester United has until the end of March to trigger the one-year extension built into Mark Skinner’s contract. The Athletic reports they’re deep in talks. Fans have continued to be vocal about wanting him out, despite the club sitting in second place in the WSL.

👟 KIT DROP

Another Arsenal Merch Drop…

Arsenal released its first-ever women’s only collection ahead of International Women’s Day, to celebrate 38 years of Arsenal Women. It’s an 18-piece collection, featuring everything from socks and caps to jackets, but something about it feels a little bit too Sports Direct for us. We’ll leave you to make up your mind on this one. Grab yours here

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming events

Watch with BallerFC (More info here)
Key Dates:

  • Saturday 15 March - Manchester City vs Chelsea (Subway Cup Final).
    Doors from 12:00 – Signature Brew Haggerston, E8

  • Tuesday 18 March, 17:45 - Real Madrid vs Arsenal (UEFA Women’s Champions League). The Volley, The Bower, 211 Old Street, EC1V 9NR

  • Wednesday 19 March, 20:00 - Manchester City vs Chelsea
    (UEFA Women’s Champions League). The Volley, The Bower, 211 Old Street, EC1V 9NR

We’re heading to the Women’s Football Fair – come down and say hi!
Saturday 15 March 2025, 10:00-16:00, Doors 9:45, Edgbaston Park Hotel
Tickets £5

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up.

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Friday 14 March
WSL
19:00 - Everton vs Arsenal [WSL YouTube]
19:15 - Liverpool vs Manchester United [BBC Three, BBC iPlayer]

Saturday 15 March
Women's League Cup Final
12:15 - Chelsea vs Manchester City [BBC One, BBC iPlayer]

Sunday 16 March 
WSL
14:00 - Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa [WSL YouTube]
15:00 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion [WSL YouTube]

All kick-off times are GMT

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

More Women Working in Football

  • Corporate and Philanthropic Executive | Everton | Apply by 20 March

  • Copywriter (12 months FTC) | Sports Interactive | Apply by 29 March

  • Women’s Lead Performance Psychologist | Birmingham City | Apply now 

  • Partnerships Manager | Tottenham Hotspur | Apply now

  • Performance Insights lead - Women's Team | Chelsea | Apply now

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