What is the newly established FIFA Women’s Champions Cup?
The first FIFA Women’s Champions Cup heads to London on Wednesday as the final four clubs compete for the title. Launched in October, this tournament features the top six teams from each continental confederation, with this week’s final stage including two semifinals, a third-place playoff, and a championship match.
With a variety of playing styles and elite talent showcased, the event is set to deliver intense competition, with the opportunity for silverware and the largest single prize money payout in women’s football history for the champion. But what essential details should you be aware of?
What is the Women’s Champions Cup?
Each FIFA confederation organized its own version of the UEFA Champions League tournament, many for the first time due to the absence of a historical club tournament akin to UEFA.
Upon the announcement of this new competition last year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino remarked: “Women’s football has reached new heights at national team level and now it’s time for global competitions that showcase the best clubs from around the world.”
It’s not the same as the Women’s Club World Cup, right?
No, the 16-team Club World Cup is a distinct event. However, consider this tournament as its smaller counterpart.
Initially, the Club World Cup was planned for 2026, but due to organizational and planning challenges, FIFA decided to delay it until 2028. To avoid missing the opportunity for three tournaments in consecutive years, with the 2027 World Cup scheduled for next year in Brazil, FIFA chose to introduce the six-team Champions Cup.
The Club World Cup, already surrounded by controversy regarding its potential hosting in Qatar and scheduling issues, is set for January 5-30, 2028, which will directly affect at least five Women’s Super League (WSL) matchdays, a situation the league considers could be “catastrophic.”
Which teams are in it, and who went out already?
The clubs competing in London include England’s Arsenal (UEFA), NWSL team Gotham FC (CONCACAF), Brazilian side Corinthians (CONMEBOL), and Morocco’s ASFAR [Royal Armed Forces Sports Association] (CAF).
New Zealand’s Auckland United FC (Oceania) and China’s Wuhan Jiangda WFC (AFC) have already been eliminated from the tournament, with Wuhan defeating Auckland in the first round before losing to ASFAR in the second round. The remaining three teams advanced directly to the semifinals.
Gotham FC will face Corinthians in the first semifinal at 12:30 p.m. GMT (7:30 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, January 26. Following that, Arsenal will compete against ASFAR in the second semifinal at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. ET).
The victors will meet in the final on February 1 at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. ET), while the losing teams will compete in the third-place playoff earlier at 2:45 p.m. GMT (9:45 a.m. ET).
How did teams qualify?
Arsenal, having secured the UEFA Women’s Champions League title for a second time—ending an 18-year wait since their first triumph in 2006—represents Europe.
North America is represented by Gotham FC, who clinched the 2025 NWSL Championship, earning them a spot in the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup—a 10-team tournament divided into two groups, followed by a semifinal and final. Gotham finished second in their group to advance to the knockout stage, where they defeated Club America 3-1 in the semifinal and then overcame Tigres 1-0 in the final to claim the title.
ASFAR represents Africa, having won every domestic Moroccan title since 2015 and every Moroccan Throne Cup since 2013. CAF initiated the African Women’s Champions League in 2021, which ASFAR won in 2022 and again in 2025, making them the only team to achieve this feat twice in its five-year existence.
The CONMEBOL champions are Brazilian team Corinthians, who won the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino before securing a third consecutive Copa Libertadores in a thrilling penalty shootout against Deportivo Cali.
Meanwhile, Oceania’s Auckland United FC claimed victory in the third edition of the OFC Champions League, while Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda secured the inaugural AFC Champions League for Asia.
play1:20Krieger: Gotham FC deserved NWSL Championship win
Ali Krieger expressed admiration for Gotham FC and their manager Juan Carlos Amorós following their NWSL Championship victory over Washington Spirit.
Where are the games being held, and why is it happening now?
Initially, the Champions Cup was set to take place on the west coast of the United States. However, due to Arsenal’s busy season, with critical WSL title race matches surrounding the tournament, the nine-hour travel, jet lag, and limited preparation time led the club to insist on relocating the event closer to home, sources informed ESPN.
Gotham FC, which operates on a different calendar than the UK—they play from March to November, while WSL teams compete from September to May—are currently in their offseason but have spent the past month in Europe, facing various teams to build momentum, gain exposure, and maintain fitness.
FIFA agreed to relocate the tournament to England, and Wednesday’s semifinals will be held at the GTech Community Stadium, home of Brentford FC in west London. The finals will take place at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s home ground, eliminating the neutral venue advantage for all teams and providing the Champions League holders with a significant home-field advantage.
What is the prize money on offer?
Auckland United and Wuhan Jiangda received $100,000 for their participation.
The two teams that exit in the semifinals will earn $200,000.
The runner-up will receive $1 million, while the champion will take home $2.3 million.
