The inaugural 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup is set to make history as FIFA’s new annual intercontinental club competition, bridging the gap until the expanded FIFA Women’s Club World Cup launches in 2029.
Featuring six top women’s clubs from each of FIFA’s confederations, this knockout tournament kicks off on October 8, 2025, and culminates in February 2026.
With powerhouses like Arsenal and Gotham FC already qualified, and underdogs from Asia and Oceania clashing in the opener, the event promises global flair and high-stakes drama.
As of October 8, 2025, the tournament is on the eve of its first match. In this comprehensive guide into the teams, format, qualified clubs, schedule, venues, and more for the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Tournament Overview and Format
Table of Contents
Announced in March 2025 as a precursor to the quadrennial Women’s Club World Cup, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup aims to crown the world’s best women’s club side annually (except in Club World Cup years).
The 2026 edition features a simplified knockout format, drawing inspiration from the early men’s Club World Cup structure and focusing on fast progression and diverse continental representation.
- Structure: Six teams compete in a single-elimination bracket with byes for top seeds. It includes a first round (one match), second round (one match), semi-finals (two matches), a third-place play-off, and the final.
- Tiebreakers: Matches ending in draws proceed to extra time and, if necessary, penalties.
- No Groups: Unlike league formats, this is pure knockout, ensuring every game counts toward advancement.
The tournament spans from October 2025 to February 2026, allowing clubs to balance domestic schedules. Winners earn global prestige and a potential pathway to future FIFA events.
Qualified Teams for 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
Qualification is straightforward: Each of FIFA’s six confederations sends their reigning women’s club champion. As of October 7, 2025, four teams have secured spots, with two more to be determined soon. Here’s the list by confederation, including entry stage:
- AFC (Asian Football Confederation):
- Wuhan Jiangda (2024–25 AFC Women’s Champions League winners) – Enters in First Round.
- CAF (Confederation of African Football):
- AS FAR (2025 CAF Women’s Champions League winners)
- CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football):
- Gotham FC (2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup winners)
- CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation):
- Corinthians (2025 Copa Libertadores Femenina winners)
- OFC (Oceania Football Confederation):
- Auckland United (2025 OFC Women’s Champions League winners) – Enters in First Round.
- UEFA (Union of European Football Associations):
- Arsenal (2024–25 UEFA Women’s Champions League winners) – Enters in Semi-Finals.
Bracket and Matchups
The bracket is predetermined based on confederation seeding, with no traditional groups. Higher-seeded confederations (UEFA, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL) receive byes to the semi-finals:
- First Round: AFC vs. OFC.
- Second Round: Winner of First Round vs. CAF.
- Semi-Finals: Second Round winner vs. one semi-final seed; the other semi-final pits the remaining two seeds.
- Third-Place and Final: Losers and winners of semi-finals, respectively.
Specific semi-final matchups will be drawn after the second round, but the structure ensures balanced progression.
Schedule for 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
The complete schedule is designed to align with international windows, reducing disruptions for clubs. Key dates are listed below, with specific times and venues for the later rounds to be announced.
- First Round:
- October 8, 2025 – Wuhan Jiangda vs Auckland United – Wuhan Sports Center, Wuhan
- Score: Wuhan Jiangda 1–0 Auckland United
- October 8, 2025 – Wuhan Jiangda vs Auckland United – Wuhan Sports Center, Wuhan
- Second Round:
- 14 December 2025 – AS FAR vs Wuhan Jiangda – Berrechid Municipal Stadium, Berrechid
- Semi-Finals:
- January 28, 2026 (TBD) – Arsenal vs Winner Round 2 – London
- January 28, 2026 (TBD) – Gotham FC vs Corinthians – London
- Third-Place Play-Off:
- February 1, 2026 (TBD) – Runner-up of SF1 vs Runner-up of SF2 – London
- Final:
- February 1, 2026 (TBD) – Winner of SF1 vs Winner of SF2 – London
The initial rounds consist of single matches, while the later stages, from the semi-finals onward, take place over a condensed four-day period.
Venues for 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
- First and Second Rounds: Hosted at the home stadium of one participating team. The opener is at Wuhan Sports Centre in Wuhan, China (Capacity: ~30,000). The second round venue will be Berrechid Municipal Stadium, held in Berrechid, Morocco.
- Final Phase (Semi-Finals, Third-Place, Final): Based in London, England, the specific stadiums are yet to be confirmed, but iconic venues like Wembley Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are likely to be considered.
London’s selection highlights FIFA’s push for high-profile European hosting in the inaugural edition.
Key Highlights and What to Expect
This debut tournament spotlights global women’s club football, with storylines abound. Arsenal, led by stars like Alessia Russo, aim to add international silverware to their UEFA crown.
Gotham FC brings NWSL grit, featuring talents like Crystal Dunn. The AFC-OFC clash pits Wuhan Jiangda’s organized play against Auckland United’s resilient Oceania style, potentially setting up an African underdog in the next round.
Where to watch the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Tournaments?
Get ready for tactical battles, dazzling individual skills, and the electrifying thrill of knockout football. Games will be broadcast on FIFA+ and select partners, ensuring global access. As qualifiers conclude (CONMEBOL on October 18 and CAF on November 23), the complete lineup will take shape.
Conclusion
The 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup is a groundbreaking step for women’s club soccer, uniting continents in a quest for glory from October 2025 to February 2026.
With Arsenal and Gotham FC leading the charge and exciting early matchups like Wuhan vs. Auckland on the way, this event is a must-watch. Stay tuned for live results, analyses, and updates on teams and schedules.
