Edition 19

Headlines

Switzerland will host UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, following on from England’s success hosting Euro 2022. It will be the country’s first time putting on a major women’s international tournament after doing so for men’s football in 1954 and 2008.

England prevailed in a penalty shootout over Brazil in front of more than 83,000 people at Wembley to win the first ever Women’s Finalissima. It was a cliched game of two halves over 90 minutes, but goalkeeper Mary Earps emerged as the hero as the Lionesses won 4-2 in the shootout.

The Lionesses won that game wearing their brand new Nike home kit, launched for the 2023 World Cup. Following consultation with players previously concerned about playing in white shorts whilst on their period, blue shorts have been reintroduced.

Meanwhile, Scotland and Wales have held talks with kit supplier adidas about moving away from white shorts. But the Republic of Ireland will stay in white short for their World Cup debut after senior players decided against a darker colour in talks with the FAI.

Nike has launched a number of other new kits for the World Cup, including those for the United States, Canada, France, Netherlands, China, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.

Herve Renard has started work as France’s new head coach, replacing Corinne Diacre and stepping into women’s football for the first time in his managerial career.

Former England captain Steph Houghton is unlikely to be recalled in time for the World Cup. The door isn’t closed to the Manchester City defender, but manager Sarina Wiegman isn’t keen on dropping others to make the room in the squad.

Manchester United’s Leah Galton has reiterated her desire not to be called up by England, having found that time off during international breaks allows her to be a ‘normal person’. She was previously struggling to enjoy football without that chance to switch off.

Also at Manchester United, the club has triggered the 12-month option in manager Marc Skinner’s contract. He will now be in charge until at least the summer of 2024 but is hoping to agree a new long term deal once the season is over.

In the Women’s Champions League, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal and Wolfsburg have all booked their place in the semi-finals of the competitions. Chelsea, who will now face Barcelona in a repeat of the 2021 final, did so with a 127th minute equaliser against Lyon to face a penalty shootout.

Ballon d’Or runner-up Beth Mead has been critical of the awards for treating the women’s prize as a ‘tick box’ based on her experience at the 2022 ceremony.

West Ham’s Lucy Parker has highlighted a lack of games played at the London Stadium, making the Hammers the only WSL club not to host a ‘big stadium’ match this season.

Manchester City completed a sweep of the latest Barclays WSL player and manager of the month awards, with Khadija Shaw and Gareth announced as the respective winners for March.

Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti has announced she is taking a short personal break from club and international, citing mental and psychological exhaustion.

Business Corner

PepsiCo sponsored the Women’s Finalissima between England and Brazil at Wembley.

Sixth Street have committed $125m to buy a new NWSL club. The new team is yet to be named but will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be the league’s 14th club.