Edition 25

Women’s World Cup Headlines

A sold-out Stadium Australia will see 81,500 people attend co-hosts Australia’s opening game of the tournament against the Republic of Ireland.

EA SPORTS have launched the Women’s World Cup update on FIFA 23 for no additional cost, allowing users to play the tournament with any of the fully-licensed 32 qualifiers. It even includes a ‘Lead Your Country’ mode where gamers can take control of a single player or even create their own.

England players have been left disappointed after it became apparent the FA is not prepared to fund performance-related bonuses for the World Cup. Players of every competing nation will be paid directly by FIFA for their participation for the first time and it has been reported that England’s stars believe the FA to be using that as an excuse not to hand out financial rewards themselves. But FA partners could yet step in to subsidise those additional bonuses.

England suffered a frustrating 0-0 draw against Portugal in their final warm-up game on home soil before flying to Australia. That is now three successive games that the Lionesses have failed to win in 90 minutes. One more behind closed doors friendly against Canada is to come.

Lauren James is set for her first major tournament but has revealed she might not be where she is today had she not taken the risk of leaving home to join Manchester United aged 16. She also credits Chelsea boss Emma Hayes for managing her fitness after two stop-start years.

Lucy Bronze has spoken about Barcelona teammates Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro ruling themselves out of the World Cup to take a stand against the issues still surrounding Spain’s team: “It's sad that they're missing out on something that's a huge moment in any footballer's career to make a difference. But unfortunately, this is women's football still.”

Netherlands winger Lieke Martens is dreaming of lifting the World Cup trophy after previously getting so close in 2019: “If we were to win, it would be complete. I would have won everything that I ever dreamt of winning. It will be a tough challenge, but nothing is impossible.”

A dispute between the South Africa squad and the country’s football association has disrupted their World Cup preparations, boycotting a final warm-up game on home soil over a reported dispute relating to bonuses. Botswana won it 5-0 after an emergency back-up team fulfilled the fixture.

Keep track of every Women’s World Cup squad announcement here .

Other Headlines

Alessia Russo has officially completed her transfer to Arsenal after leaving Manchester United as a free agent at the end of her contract. The striker had earlier described the speculation surrounding her future as ‘tough’ to handle.

The Gunners have additionally added Sweden centre-back Amanda Ilestedt and Canada forward Cloe Lacasse to their squad. Jennifer Beattie has signed a new deal, while home-grown trio Michelle Agyemang, Freya Godfrey and Naomi Williams have each agreed their first professional contract .

Rafaelle Souza’s transfer to Orlando Pride, having left Arsenal last month, has been confirmed.

Chelsea have also continued their summer recruitment drive, announcing deals for Spanish talent Alejandra Bernabe , versatile Canadian Ashley Lawrence and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton . Bernabe will spend 2023/24 on loan at Real Sociedad.

Manchester United are yet to announce any new arrivals, but have confirmed further first-team departures. Aissatou Tounkara, Jade Moore and Emily Ramsey have each moved on, while assistant manager Martin Ho has taken up the head coach job at Brann in Norway.

England internationals Lucy Parker and Grace Fisk are among five players who left West Ham at the end of June. Newly part-time Reading let go 13 players, including Canada forward Deanne Rose, Belgium midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet and top youngster Emma Harries.

Keep track of all completed WSL summer transfers here .

Business Corner

Football Manager will introduce women’s football into the iconic series for the 2024/25 season.

The Women’s Sports in Numbers report has confirmed Visa's sponsorship of FIFA to be the single biggest individual deal in women's football on per annum basis.

Manchester United have called for tougher financial regulations in women’s football in order to prevent growing disparity between clubs. “Just as an example, something like an anchoring system where that creates a more level playing field or even something more akin to US sports where you have a hard salary cap and then perhaps US franchise players that sit outside of the salary cap,” the club’s head of group planning Francesca Whitfield said at the recent ECA summit.

ScottishPower has entered into a three-year partnership deal with Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), intending to champion women and girls across Scotland, from the youth game, to emerging talent in remote communities, and the elite.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has committed the equivalent of $13m to support and develop clubs in its top two women’s divisions to boost growth and sustainability.

90min Highlights

During an appearance on 90min Talks, Beth Mead expressed her excitement to link up with England teammate Alessia Russo at club level.

90min writer Emily Keogh has spoken to Manchester United full-back Jayde Riviere , who joined the club in January and is set to replace the departed Ona Batlle in the starting XI this coming season. Topics of discussion included the Manchester weather and learning local slang.

England legend Rachel Yankey chatted with 90min writer Yara El-Shaboury about cutting her hair to play as a young girl, the importance of access to grassroots-level football and the Lionesses’ chances at the 2023 World Cup.

90min BR has launched ‘Guerreiras do Brasil’ (Brazil Warriors), a 23 episode series available in videos on social channels and written articles to present the 23 players called up for the World Cup as the Selecao search for their first global trophy.

Meanwhile, Colombia’s Leicy Santos has been interviewed by 90min ES , discussing her country’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages and her club career with Atletico Madrid.