Arsenal set to headline 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup | OneFootball

Stina Blackstenius during the Barclays Women Super League match between Everton and Arsenal at Walton Hall Park Stadium in April 2024 | Photo: Jayde Chamberlain/SPP

Arsenal will be the headline team at the 2026 Women’s Champions Cup – the newest FIFA club competition, featuring the continental champions from across the world.

The Gunners secured their place by winning the 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League, beating Barcelona in Lisbon courtesy of a single goal from Stina Blackstenius.

And they will be joined in the tournament by New Zealand’s Auckland United, the US’s Gotham FC, and China’s Wuhan Jiangda.

There are two more spots still up for grabs – one for the winners of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina, who will be confirmed on Saturday, October 18th, and one for the CAF Women’s Champions League winners, who will be confirmed on Sunday, November 23rd.

2026 Women’s Champions Cup tournament format

The competition will begin in October, when Wuhan Jiangda play Auckland United in Round 1 at their home stadium, the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium in Wuhan, China.

The victors will then face the CAF champions in Round 2, scheduled for December, at a venue to be confirmed.

The winner of that match will progress to the final phase, which begins on Wednesday, January 28th 2026, again at a venue to be confirmed.

The team who have progressed through the rounds will play WSL runners-up Arsenal in a semi-final at a neutral stadium; Gotham FC will play the CONMEBOL champions in the other semi-final.

The tournament concludes on Sunday, February 1st 2026, and there will also be a third-place play-off.

How the teams qualified

UEFA Women’s Champions League final 2024-25: Arsenal 1-0 Barcelona (Stina Blackstenius, 74′)

CONCACAF W Champions Cup final 2025: Gotham FC 1-0 Tigres UANL (Esther Gonzalez, 82′)

OFC Women’s Champions League final 2025: Auckland United 1-0 Hekari United (Danielle Canham, 26′)

AFC Women’s Champions League final 2024-25: Melbourne City 1-1 Wuhan Jiangda (after extra time) – Wuhan Jiangda won 5-4 on penalties

The concept

FIFA approved the idea of a Women’s Champions Cup in March 2025. It will be played every year except for Women’s World Cup years. FIFA had previously intended to roll out the Women’s Club World Cup in 2026, featuring 16 teams from across the world, but those plans are currently on hold as the fixture calendar is reviewed.

Future editions

The 2027 Women’s Champions Cup will run from Wednesday, January 27th to Sunday, January 31st 2027, with the 2029 instalment beginning on Wednesday, January 24th and ending on Sunday, January 28th 2029.