WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
The five-minute read for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football.
This week: Euro champions vs world champions in a World Cup qualifier. The FA stirs up a row over the future of the pyramid. Arsenal's Champions League semi-final is confirmed. And Sunderland lands a major US investor.
– Jo, founder of Twentytwo
⚽ WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
It's England vs Spain Again
England host Spain in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow — their first meeting since the Euro 2025 final, and England's 499th international. Both sides won their two March qualifiers and sit level on six points at the top of Group A3. Only the group winner qualifies for Brazil automatically.
What's at stake
Wiegman will want this win badly. A loss puts Spain three points clear ahead of the reverse fixture in Mallorca in June — and having to face the play-offs is not what England wants.
What to expect
Leah Williamson is a doubt with a hamstring issue. Keira Walsh is set to win her 100th cap. And Lauren James — in the great form at Chelsea — is the player most likely to unlock Spain's defence. If she gets space, this could be England's night.
Five things to know before kick-off
England are unbeaten in all nine previous home games against Spain — W6, D3.
Beth Mead is one goal from equalling Fara Williams on 40 — joint-fifth on England's all-time scoring list.
Clàudia Pina has scored a brace in three of her last five internationals, including against England in June 2025. One to watch.
Keira Barry gets her first senior call-up — the 20-year-old Bay FC forward moves up from the Under-23s, replacing the injured Freya Godfrey.
Niamh Charles is back after injury, having featured in Chelsea's last three games.
Watch: Tuesday 14 April · Wembley · 7pm BST · ITV1 / ITVX
🚨ICYMI
Top Headlines
💰 US investment group Sixth Street has agreed to buy a majority stake in Sunderland through its Bay Collective platform — the same group that owns NWSL side Bay FC. The North-East club has produced some of England's biggest names (Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Jill Scott, Steph Houghton) and the investment is targeted at the academy, infrastructure and closing the gap to the WSL. Subject to approval. Read more
👏 Marie-Louise Eta has become the first woman to manage a men's top-flight team in any of Europe's big five leagues. Union Berlin appointed the 34-year-old interim head coach on Sunday after sacking Steffen Baumgart. She has five games to keep them up — then takes over their women's side in the summer. Read more
🦁 England are one game away from their 500th international — and it's getting the send-off it deserves. Fifty former Lionesses form a guard of honour at Wembley tomorrow, with representatives from Lynda Hale's family among those present — Hale scored in England's very first women's fixture in 1972 and recently passed away. Read more
🏟️ World Sevens lands at Gtech on 28–30 May — Man United and Aston Villa are the first clubs confirmed. Eight WSL sides, 7v7, three days. Tickets on sale tomorrow. More info
✍️ Liverpool have signed 24-year-old Vivien Endemann on a free transfer. The Germany forward joins from Wolfsburg on 1 July and brings some solid experience to the Reds’ front line. Read more
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
→ ACL tear fears, TikTok myths and the fight for credible women’s health science in sports – The Athletic via Yahoo – Female athletes are underrepresented in sports science research to a startling degree — this piece looks at what that actually costs players, and what it'll take to fix it.
→ Owners treat many WSL clubs as ‘an afterthought’, Angel City’s co-founder says – The Guardian – The investment group proving that women’s teams should be seen as more than a way to get round FFP rules.
🔍 IN FOCUS
The FA wants to shake up the women’s National League, but not everyone’s happy about it.
This week, the Guardian broke the story that the FA is proposing the biggest structural shake-up to the Women's National League in years — and it's getting a strong reaction.
The pitch: make the pyramid more sustainable, more professional, and more competitive. And while they're at it, solve a growing England player pipeline problem.
The player pipeline problem? Minutes played by English academy graduates in the WSL has dropped sharply in recent seasons. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor flagged it earlier this year — at Lyon she could regularly draw on four or five academy players; at Chelsea, she can't. Liverpool's Gareth Taylor agreed something needs to change. The FA's proposal is their answer.
So what's actually being proposed? The FA has floated the idea that:
Four WSL academy sides enter the Women's National League's third tier on three-year licences from 2027
The division expands from 24 to 28 teams across two regional groups
After 13 rounds, the league splits into promotion, mid-table and relegation groups — but academy teams can't feature in the promotion group
Around £1m of investment pledged, plus improved legal and medical support for National League clubs and players — an area that's been underfunded for years
Not everyone is convinced. Critics argue that:
Academy teams would take up places in a division that existing clubs are fighting to climb out of — but unlike everyone else, they can't be promoted. So they're competing for nothing, while clubs with genuine promotion ambitions potentially miss out on a place altogether
The best academy players tend to get loaned upward to WSL or WSL2 level anyway — so younger, less developed players would fill those academy spots, potentially facing senior opposition before they're ready
A previous version of this — B teams at tier four — was shelved after failing to win enough support. Many clubs see this as the same argument in different packaging
Wolves head coach Daniel McNamara put the core tension bluntly: "Are we here to fight for promotion to elite football or facilitate a platform for elite players from WSL to develop?"
Nothing is confirmed yet — proposals aren't ratified and clubs are still being consulted. Given what happened last time, the FA will need more than a repackaged idea to bring lower-division clubs with them.
👟 KIT DROP
The Lionesses' limited-edition 500th game warm-up top is a proper milestone shirt — inspired by the original Women's FA logo as a nod to the team's pioneers. On sale at Wembley tomorrow, available online from Wednesday.
The Arsenal x Good Squish spring collection is also out this week. Got to be honest — if you're in the market for Arsenal-branded spaghetti strap dresses or a £38 scrunchie, this one's for you. There are some nice pieces in there — scarves, socks and stickers are the standouts — but overall we're not so sure on this one. Browse the full collection
🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA
Upcoming Events
England vs Spain screenings
Tuesday 14 April · 7pm KO
Baller FC at The Victoria Tavern, Holloway Road, London, N7 8DL · Doors 6pm
Crossbar, Brighton, BN1 3FG
Arsenal vs Lyon, Women’s Champions League Semi-Finals
26 April, 3.30pm, Arsenal Stadium - Tickets
Women's Football Fair 3
Sunday 17 May · 11am–4pm · Big Penny Social, London
Kit stalls, community vibes, women's football people. One for the diary. · Tickets
World Sevens
28-30 May 2026 at Brentford FC's Gtech Community Stadium
Eight of England’s best women’s clubs go head-to-head in a small-sided 7v7 format. Tickets go on sale 14 April · More info
Adobe Women's FA Cup Final
Sunday 31 May · 3pm · Wembley Stadium, HA9 0WS · Tickets
Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up
📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST
What We’re Watching
Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)
World Cup 2027 Qualifiers
Tuesday 14 April
England vs Spain · 7pm · ITV1 / ITVX
Northern Ireland vs Malta · 7pm · BBC iPlayer
Wales vs Albania · 7.15pm · BBC One Wales / iPlayer
Scotland vs Belgium · 7.30pm · BBC Scotland / iPlayer
Saturday 18 April
Iceland vs England · 5.30pm · ITV / ITVX — England's 500th international
👀 FAVE FINDS
Nike and Phaidon Press have released The Boot — a hardback coffee table book covering the history of Nike football boots, featuring the likes of Megan Rapinoe. The perfect gift for the boot obsessive in your life. Available now
Congratulations to Crystal Palace midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet and partner Thomas on their pregnancy news — baby due September 2026. 🎉
See you next week!
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