NWSL fixes dates for Challenge Cup covid-secure openers and regular season
January 28 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has released dates for the start of its season that will open April 9 with the NWSL Challenge Cup.
Women
Europe’s 2027 Women’s World Cup bidders plan Feb tournament showcase
January 20 – Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, nations bidding to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, will play in a tri-nations tournament in February to promote their hosting credentials.
Interim England role for Norwegian Riise as Neville heads for Miami
January 202 – The English Football Association has appointed Hege Riise to take over the role as interim national women’s head coach and fill the hole left by the sudden departure of Phil Neville to Inter Miami.
Hope Solo says more action needed to close gender wage gap
January 14 – Former US women’s international goalkeeper Hope Solo says the current national team are not doing nearly enough in their quest for equal pay.
US to host 4-team SheBelieves Cup in Florida in February
January 13 – Orlando, Florida, has rapidly become the go-to destination for centralised tournaments in north America. Having hosted MLS and Concacaf competition during the pandemic, the next visitor will U.S. Soccer in February for the SheBelieves Cup women’s national team competition.
Europe and Asia lead way to WWC2023 as FIFA add in 10-team qualifying tournament
December 30 – The expanded 32-team Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 will guarantee 11 direct slots to European nations and six to Asian nations.
Conmebol boost women’s game with bi-annual Copa America and new club competition
December 18 – Conmebol has said that it will organise the women’s Copa America every two years from 2022 onwards. The organisation’s president Alejandro Dominguez has also proposed an intercontinental club championship for the women’s game.
NWSL’s Utah Royals look set for a move to Kansas
December 7 – The National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Utah Royals FC franchise will relocate to Kansas City, once the sale of the team is finalised, according to US media reports.
US women agree equal conditions deal, but may still appeal lost court ruling on pay
December 2 – The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) have finally reached agreement – but not over the thorny issue of equal pay which has plagued both parties and was dismissed last May.
Frappart breaks down more barriers with Juve vs Dynamo Kiev appointment
December 1 – Stephanie Frappart breaks more new ground on Wednesday when she becomes the first woman to referee a men’s Champions League game.
PSG break Lyon women’s four-year unbeaten run with 1-0 win
November 23 – The longest unbeaten run in any of Europe’s top leagues was broken at the weekend when Olympique Lyon women suffered their first league loss in four years. Paris Saint-Germain inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the serial French champions.
NWSL retains Challenge Cup competition as opener for 2021 regular season
November 19 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US is to continue with its Challenge Cup format introduced for the first time as a back-to-play tournament in 2020, the first of the US leagues to return to competition during the pandemic. The full season schedule will be begin a month later.
Growth of professional women’s game hit hardest by virus, finds FIFPro survey
November 12 – Professional women’s football has been severely damaged by the coronavirus pandemic with wages cuts and a lack of support. A survey by global players’ union FIFPro highlights the impact of the virus on women’s game that in many countries is still only in the early stages of development.
Rapinoe singles out Man Utd as she calls for more investment in women’s club game
November 10 – United States star and World-Cup winner Megan Rapinoe has criticised the lack of investment in women’s football, singling out Manchester United who she said were “disgraceful” for taking so long to form a professional women’s team.
England vs Germany women’s friendly off after positive covid test
October 26 – England’s women’s team have cancelled a friendly against Germany in Wiesbaden this week because of the coronavirus pandemic. A member of the English back room staff tested positive.