WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY

The Lionesses packed out London this week, celebrating their European triumph in serious style. From 7,000 fans in 2022 to 65,000 in 2025, the difference made us feel a bit emotional!

In this issue: Marta’s Copa América magic, a beginner’s guide to the Sandwich Cup, and all the bits you expect; kit drops, headlines, signings and more. And as ever, tell us what you think – we read every message!

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🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

📺 BBC and ITV have secured UK free-to-air rights for every match of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. It ensures the tournament stays accessible as paywalls become more common and should sustain the momentum behind Euro 2025’s audience surge.

🌱 UEFA unveiled ambitious sustainability targets at the Women’s Euro Final Forum in Basel, committing to mandatory carbon reductions and community engagement initiatives. It sets new standards for greener and more inclusive women’s tournaments.

👑 England’s Euro 2025 final drew a peak audience of 16.2 million and 231 million digital views, the highest for a women’s football broadcast this year. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇨🇳 England, freshly crowned European champions, will host Asian champions China at Wembley on 29 November. China are a very different style opponent and offers a tough challenge ahead of World Cup 2027 preparations. Tickets are now available.

🦁 WSL newcomers London City Lionesses visit OL Lyonnais in Lyon on 21 August for a pre-season friendly. Facing Europe’s most decorated club offers a big test and a chance to show they can live up to their big ambitions.

🏟 Everton has transferred the ownership of Goodison Park to its women’s team. The move gives them greater control of facilities and commercial opportunities as they build for sustainable growth.

🦅 Alex Morgan and Alyssa Naeher will be honoured in October as the USWNT hosts Portugal for friendlies in Chester and East Hartford, finishing with a send-off at Kansas City’s new stadium. The two USWNT legends retired at the end of last year, and if you like an emotional farewell, this will be right up your alley.

🇧🇷 The Women’s Finalissima pits the winner of the Euros and the Copa América against each other. Last time out, England edged Brazil 1-1 (4-2 on penalties) to lift the inaugural trophy. Now, after England’s Euro 2025 triumph and Brazil’s latest Copa América win, it’s set for a blockbuster rematch. Details on date and venue tbc.

 🥪 THE SUBWAY WOMEN’S LEAGUE CUP

A Quick Guide to… The Sandwich Cup

The Subway Women’s League Cup pits teams from England’s top two women’s leagues, the WSL and WSL2*, against each other, kicking off with a regional group stage. To keep travel light and rivalries close, clubs are split into Northern and Southern groups for the group stage. The 2025/26 groups have now been drawn…

Northern Section
Group A: Everton, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest
Group B: Durham, Liverpool, Sheffield United, Sunderland

Southern Section
Group C: Brighton & Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Ham United
Group D: Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, London City Lionesses
Group E: Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Tottenham Hotspur

Need to know:

• Only the top team from each group progresses to the quarter-finals, where Arsenal and Chelsea will join after European commitments.

• Manchester United will also enter the group stage if they exit Europe early, potentially joining Group A or B.

• The format is designed to reduce travel and encourage local rivalries, making it accessible and exciting for new fans.

• Unofficially, fans like to call this the Sandwich Cup.

*(previously known as the Championship)

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Marta’s Magic Lights Up Copa América Final

In a heart-stopping final in Quito, Marta showed she’s still got it. She’d only been retired from International football for five minutes, and here she was coming out of retirement and off the bench to smash home a stoppage-time equaliser and swing momentum Brazil’s way in extra time.

Colombia took the lead three times in this see-saw battle, but Brazil came roaring back each time. After 120 frenetic minutes, the score stood at 4-4 and Brazil, thanks to the ice-cool heroics of keeper Lorena in the shootout, clinched their ninth continental title.

Off the pitch, the tournament was marked by controversy: rows over prize money and organisation threatened to overshadow the action, but all eyes were back on football by the time Marta worked her magic. With this win, Brazil now set up a blockbuster rematch of the Women’s Finalissima against England, the reigning European champions.

Watch the highlights here

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: Marta smashing in THAT equaliser

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

• Beyond the Applause and the Cameras: Why African Women’s Football Needs Sponsors Who Stay

• Lionesses defy odds to create English football history

• Full-backs and future stars: the issues facing Lionesses before World Cup bid

👀 FAVE FINDS

Hands up who is still watching Euro 2025 highlights? ☝️
Here are some of our faves:

• Every goal scored at the tournament – all 106 of them.

• England’s defence might’ve had everyone hiding behind a cushion at times, but this compilation makes it look like something Gandalf would be proud of.

• Pure joy

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

• West Ham have snapped up Wales international Ffion Morgan on a two-year deal. The forward will bring tenacity and goal threat to the Hammers’ attack. They’ve also been busy bolstering their defence, bringing in Yu Endo from Urawa Reds. A full-back with serious pedigree, including two AFC Champions League titles and a stack of domestic silverware, she’s known for her technical skill and rock-steady consistency.

• Liverpool has secured left-back Lily Woodham from Seattle Reign. Last season, she was a regular for Crystal Palace on loan and brings over 40 Wales caps, and solid defensive experience to the Reds.

• Manchester United have signed Swedish midfielder Julia Zigiotti Olme from Bayern Munich. Zigiotti arrives with Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles, Champions League and international experience, and is praised by United for her work rate and creativity.

• Katie Stengel is back with NWSL champions Gotham FC after leading Crystal Palace for goals and assists in the WSL last season. The experienced striker returns with a proven record in big matches and adds sharpness to Gotham’s attack.

• Lewes have appointed Ireland legend Emma Byrne as manager and head of goalkeeping. The club sees her as “the ideal leader to carry forward their strategic rebuild,” praising her ability to foster high-performance environments and push professional standards.

• Brighton have bolstered their attack with the signing of promising 20-year-old striker Carla Camacho from Real Madrid. The Spanish forward brings youth, international pedigree, and Champions League experience to the Seagulls as they gear up for the new WSL season.

👟 KIT DROP

Liverpool’s new kits blend heritage with modern details: the home shirt is giving early 2000s vibes with crisp piping and traditional red, while the away goes off-white with a red badge shaped like Anfield’s 1906 Main Stand. Clean, classic, and mercifully straightforward from the designers. Available now

Adidas has rolled out a new variation of the well-received F50 Sparkfusion women’s fit boots. Trinity Rodman is the face of the new colourway, with white, pink and purple nodding to her signature braids – though we can’t wait to see a punchier, darker version cut next time. Grab a pair here

Arsenal’s 2025/26 third kit hits the ‘vintage x fresh’ sweet spot, resulting in this beauty of a shirt. There’s a subtle texture throughout and some neat cuff detailing, while fans have the choice of short sleeve, long sleeve or, for anyone feeling brave as we head into Autumn, a cropped version. Get yours here

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

If you’re near Manchester tomorrow (and of the light blue persuasion), then you might be interested in popping along to the Joie Stadium where the men’s and women’s teams will be taking part in a joint open training session. More info and tickets here

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)

If you can’t wait for the WSL to return, don’t worry - now's exactly the right time to get into some NWSL and pre-season friendly action. We’ve picked a few matches that should be a good watch without forcing you to stay awake all night…

Saturday 9 August

• Pre-season friendly: Newcastle United vs Atlético Madrid (12:30, NUFC TV)

• NWSL: Gotham FC v Washington Spirit (17:00, TNT Sports 1)

Sunday 10 August

• NWSL: Chicago Red Stars v Bay FC (19:00, NWSL+)

• NWSL: Portland Thorns v Seattle Reign (21:00, NWSL+)

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

More Women Working in Football

• Executive Assistant | Leicester City FC | Apply by 8 August

• Head of Business Operations | Cheshire FA | Apply by 8 August

• Senior Manager - Everton Women Academy | Everton FC | Apply by 13 August

• Women's Pathway Nutritionist | The Football Association | Apply by 27 August

• Women’s Professional Football Assistant Sports Scientist | Sportable | Apply by 31 August

More women watching, playing and working in football