Arsenal, Gotham Favorites…

On Wednesday, the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup takes center stage in London, where the final four clubs will compete for the coveted trophy. Launched in October, this competition features the six top teams from each confederation, culminating in a tournament that includes two semifinals, a third-place match, and a final.

With a blend of unique playing styles and elite talent, the event is set to deliver intense, high-stakes drama, with a significant prize for the winner, marking the highest single prize-money allocation in women’s football history. So, what should you know about this exciting competition?

What is the Women’s Champions Cup?

This Cup represents the first official version of a tournament akin to the UEFA Champions League for women’s clubs across different FIFA confederations. Previously, many regions lacked a comparable tournament.

Upon its announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, “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.”

Is this the same as the Women’s Club World Cup?

No, the Women’s Club World Cup is a separate 16-team event, while the Champions Cup is its smaller counterpart.

Originally slated for 2026, the Club World Cup was postponed to 2028 due to organizational challenges. To avoid losing the opportunity for three major tournaments over consecutive years—especially with the 2027 World Cup approaching—FIFA introduced the six-team Champions Cup.

Meanwhile, the Club World Cup is scheduled from January 5 to 30, 2028, but has faced scrutiny over its potential Qatar hosting, which could disrupt multiple Women’s Super League (WSL) matchdays, raising concerns about significant consequences.

Which teams are participating, and who has already been eliminated?

The teams contending in London are England’s Arsenal (representing UEFA), Gotham FC from the NWSL (CONCACAF), Brazilian club Corinthians (CONMEBOL), and Morocco’s ASFAR (CAF).

New Zealand’s Auckland United FC (Oceania) and China’s Wuhan Jiangda WFC (AFC) have been eliminated, with Wuhan defeating Auckland in the opening round before succumbing to ASFAR in the subsequent round. The other three teams bypassed directly to the semifinals.

The semifinal matches are set, with Gotham FC facing Corinthians at 12:30 p.m. GMT (7:30 a.m. ET) on Wednesday, January 26, followed by Arsenal taking on ASFAR at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. ET).

Winners will meet in the final on February 1 at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. ET), while the teams that lose will compete for third place earlier in the day at 2:45 p.m. GMT (9:45 a.m. ET).

How did the teams qualify?

Arsenal represents Europe after clinching the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the second time, breaking an 18-year title drought since their first win in 2006.

In North America, Gotham FC earned their place by winning the 2025 NWSL Championship, which also qualified them for the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup. They progressed from their group in second place and then defeated Club America 3-1 in the semifinals, followed by a 1-0 triumph over Tigres in the final.

ASFAR, the representative from Africa, has claimed every Moroccan domestic title since 2015 and every Moroccan Throne Cup since 2013. They won the African Women’s Champions League in 2022 and again in 2025, making them the only team to achieve this feat twice in its five-year existence.

Corinthians, the CONMEBOL champions, won the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino and secured their third consecutive Copa Libertadores title in a dramatic penalty shootout against Deportivo Cali.

Auckland United FC from Oceania clinched the OFC Champions League title, and Wuhan Jiangda captured the inaugural AFC Champions League title for Asia.

Where will the games be held, and why are they happening now?

Initially scheduled for the U.S. west coast, the tournament’s location was moved to England due to Arsenal’s congested schedule with key WSL matches surrounding the event. The nine-hour travel, along with jet lag and limited preparation time, led Arsenal to push for a closer venue.

Meanwhile, Gotham FC, whose season runs from March to November, prepared during their offseason by training in Europe and facing various teams to stay fit and gain exposure.

Consequently, FIFA agreed to stage the tournament in England, with Wednesday’s semifinals taking place at the GTech Community Stadium, home of Brentford FC. The finals will occur at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, providing the reigning Champions League holders with a signature home-field advantage.

What are the prize payouts?

Both Auckland United and Wuhan Jiangda received $100,000 for participating.

Teams exiting in the semifinals will earn $200,000 each, while the runner-up will walk away with $1 million, and the champion will receive $2.3 million.

Semifinal Previews

Gotham FC vs. Corinthians

While Gotham FC and Corinthians may not face each other frequently, Gotham boasts an array of international stars such as Jaedyn Shaw, Rose Lavelle, and Esther González. This talent likely gives them the edge.

Despite this, one cannot dismiss Corinthians, who have a rich history and notable players, including captain Tamires, with over 150 caps for Brazil. Gotham’s rigorous preparation in Europe will be essential to their success.

Key Player for Gotham: Ann-Katrin Berger. A prominent name in the WSL between 2018 and 2024, she is known for her brilliant saves and critical matches that helped Chelsea secure five WSL titles. Returning to England after strong performances for Germany, Berger is central to Gotham’s hopes of winning the inaugural trophy.

Key Player for Corinthians: Jhonson. The talented forward had a breakout 2025 season, scoring the decisive penalty in Copa Libertadores to qualify Corinthians for this tournament. She’s gaining recognition in Brazil’s senior squad and is poised to challenge Gotham’s defense.

Prediction: Gotham 3-0 Corinthians.

Arsenal vs. ASFAR

As a premier global team, Arsenal has the advantage of history, resources, and home support, positioning them well for a win. Their lineup features elite players, and with the added benefit of playing at home, victory seems likely.

However, ASFAR could prove to be a formidable opponent. The Moroccan team showcased their tenacity in a thrilling comeback against Wuhan to reach the semifinals, an aspect that Arsenal has occasionally struggled with this season.

Key Player for Arsenal: Alessia Russo. Russo, integral to Arsenal’s attack, operates both as a striker and attacking midfielder. Her ability to control play and exploit defensive mistakes makes her a vital asset, and ASFAR will need to neutralize her impact effectively.

Key Player for ASFAR: Anissa Lahmari. The former Paris Saint-Germain player brings significant experience, having played in multiple countries. Having switched allegiances to Morocco in 2023, she possesses insider knowledge on Arsenal’s approach and tactics.

Prediction: Arsenal 4-0 ASFAR.