11 h. ago Home nations readying Women's World Cup bid after FIFA makes preference clear

England hosted the Women's European Championships in 2022 and could join forces with the other nations of the UK in staging the Women's World Cup further down the line

Events

14 h. ago Fifa launches new Women’s Champions Cup but delays Women’s Club World Cup

Champions Cup to involve six clubs from across the worldClub World Cup was due in 2026 but will start in 2028A new six-team Women’s Champions Cup is to be established next year, featuring clubs from across the world. The competition was approved at a Fifa Council meeting on Wednesday that also confirmed a two-year delay to the first Women’s Club World Cup.The 16-team Women’s Club World Cup was due to launch in 2026 but, as first reported by the Guardian, has been put on hold. It is understood Fifa believes the delay will ensure it has time to create space in the calendar for the additional fixtures. The competition will be played every four years from 2028. In the meantime the Women’s Champions Cup will get under way, to be played annually other than in Women’s Club World Cup years. The champions of each confederation’s club tournament will take part. Continue reading...

Politics

49 h. ago Looming relegation vote begs question: do WSL clubs now have too much power? | Suzanne Wrack

Amid a controversial proposal to suspend relegation in the WSL, decision-makers risk putting self-interest above all elseOn Friday a shareholder meeting of the Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd took place to discuss the future of the women’s professional game. This was not unusual. The body responsible for running the Women’s Super League and Championship, owned by the clubs and having taken over from the Football Association last summer, holds quarterly meetings and each one has involved discussions on the professional women’s game in England as it enters a new phase.There was caution ahead of the first season of WPLL ownership; no immediate expansion, no swift progression to full-time referees, no big moves to adopt the other recommendations in the fan-led government review of women’s football carried out by Karen Carney, despite a widespread desire for many of them. Continue reading...

Politics

69 h. ago Fifa’s new Women’s Club World Cup could be delayed beyond 2026

Tournament has backing but more preparation neededFour-team mini-tournament could take place in 2026Fifa’s new 16-team Women’s Club World Cup could be delayed beyond its previously-proposed 2026 launch, the Guardian has learned.The tournament is understood to maintain widespread backing within the governing body, as well as across the confederations, but discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of the inaugural staging of the event being pushed back by a couple of years to allow more time for all concerned to properly prepare for it, according to sources. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago New VAR offside technology backfires after farcical delay in FA Cup tie

Milos Kerkez thought he had made it 2-0 for Bournemouth against Wolves only for goal to be ruled out after eight minutes as new technology failed to produce definitive offside ruling

Events

4 d. ago Bournemouth fans rage at 'farcical' eight minute VAR delay nightmare for semi

Football fans have slammed VAR after Bournemouth saw a second goal against Wolves ruled out following a several-minute delay in the FA Cup 5th round clash

Politics

5 d. ago Jump by Simon May review: a thoughtful salvo in the war on procrastination

Procrastination may be my one true gift. I’m one of those go-getters who, when the going gets tough and a job needs to get done, will find something else to do. Even the smallest thing, like making a cup of tea or providing my child with medication, can be delayed by some dreamy fantasy in my own head.

Events

5 d. ago Crystal Palace Women sack Laura Kaminski after difficult WSL season

Eagles Women’s boss won promotion from Championship last season

Politics

6 d. ago Women’s Super League to consider scrapping relegation in major revamp

Proposal for more teams in new-look top flight Championship set to be rebranded as WSL2The Women’s Super League is considering abolishing relegation as part of a radical proposal to grow the sport that will be discussed by the clubs at a meeting on Friday.The Guardian has learned that the 23 WSL and Championship clubs have been called to a strategy summit by the newly formed company that runs both competitions, Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd, who will ask them to explore a range of options to increase the profile, sustainability and profitability of women’s football. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Future champions sought: 2025 Enterprise Vision Awards calls on Trailblazing Women

The search is on! The Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS) are back for their 14th year, recognising and celebrating the UK’s most inspiring women in business.

Events

8 d. ago Trott defends Afghanistan’s men with cloud hanging over England game

Taliban’s ban on women playing cricket has led to calls for a boycott by the ECB, but Champions Trophy match proceedsA day out from what is a must-win game for both Afghanistan and England, Jonathan Trott, head coach of the former, addressed the issue that is impossible to ignore during this Champions Trophy. The Taliban continues its brutal clampdown on women’s rights back in Afghanistan and Trott outlined the position his players find themselves in.“They know the difference between right and wrong,” said Trott, drawing a distinction between a team that play their cricket in exile under the previous Afghan flag and the regime at home. “They are under no illusions about where they have come from and they’re very courageous. You see that in their cricket and that’s the one thing I’ve not tried to change at all. They know who they are playing for and representing.” Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago More wins, more drinks: Opening hours in pubs could extend in England and Wales during Women's Euros

Soccer fans in England and Wales might be allowed to spend more time in pubs if their teams go far at the Women’s European Championship being held in Switzerland in July

Politics

9 d. ago WWE superstar Rhea Ripley issues brutal warning to fans over home safety

The multi-time WWE Women’s Champion did not mince her words on social media

Events

1 week ago Which English arboreal project occupies 200 square miles? The Saturday quiz

From back, basting and zigzag to ‘the stuff that dreams are made of’, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz1 What TV cliffhanger was resolved on 21 November 1980?2 Which body in the solar system has lakes of liquid methane?3 What Yorkshire side were the first national women’s football league champions?4 In a 1941 film, what was “the stuff that dreams are made of”?5 Who writes the Empyrean fantasy book series?6 What does the US defense department classify as UAP?7 What arboreal project occupies 200 square miles of central England?8 Which monarch was killed in 1057 at the Battle of Lumphanan?What links: 9 Emotion icon; glamorous camping; smoke and fog; fan magazine; romantic comedy?10 Cantuar; Dunelm; Ebor; Petriburg; Roffen; Sarum?11 Tom Cruise (6.5 mins, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation); Kate Winslet (7.25 mins, Avatar: The Way of Water)?12 Seth Pecksniff; Howard Roark; Anthony Royal; Rudolf Santonix?13 Back; basting; blind; cross; running; slip; zigzag?14 8 (1950-60); 9 (19...

Events

2 w. ago Wales Women unveil new away shirt for upcoming European Championships

The new shirt will be available this week and will be worn at this summer's tournament in Switzerland

Politics