Women's Soccer Takes Center Stage: Your Complete Roadmap to 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, FIFA Champions Cup and Beyond

As we enter a fresh year, 2026 is shaping up to be an extraordinary period for women's football, packed with new competitions, tournaments, and countless matches.

What makes it special? Two significant international continental championships will unfold alongside World Cup qualification campaigns and an innovative global club tournament organized by FIFA, bringing together champions from across the world.

Here's Sports Illustrated's comprehensive overview of women's football in 2026.

FIFA Women's Champions Cup

London will host the year's opening major women's football event from January 28 to February 1, featuring the debut FIFA Women's Champions Cup with four continental champions competing in semifinals followed by a final.

The quartet includes England's Arsenal representing Europe, Morocco's AS FAR, Brazil's Corinthians, and NWSL's Gotham FC. This groundbreaking tournament marks the first competition of its nature, offering a unique opportunity to witness global women's football clubs compete at the highest level. Naturally, the timing considerations of preseason versus midseason form will factor into performances.

Women's Asia Cup

Australia will stage the 21st Women's Asia Cup from March 1-21, marking the nation's first major tournament hosting duties since the highly successful 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

China holds the defending champion status, securing their ninth crown in 2022 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over South Korea in the final. Two-time champions Japan enter as favorites, being the continent's top-ranked team.

Beyond crowning a regional champion, the Women's Asia Cup functions as the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, set to take place in Brazil.

Women's AFCON

Remarkably, spring 2026 will feature two premier international continental tournaments, with the Women's Africa Cup of Nations following closely after the Asian competition.

Morocco will host the 2026 WAFCON, marking the second straight occasion the North African nation has welcomed the tournament, after their 2025 hosting duties.

Nigeria currently holds the title, with the Super Falcons claiming a record-breaking 10th WAFCON championship by defeating Morocco 3-2 last summer. This 16th WAFCON edition promises unmissable action, featuring top NWSL talents like MVP Temwa Chawinga.

Women's Champions League Final

UEFA's women's Champions League celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, with the final expected to deliver unprecedented competitiveness.

Eighteen clubs will be whittled down to two finalists meeting in Oslo on May 23. Following last year's remarkable upset where Arsenal stunned Barcelona 1-0, anticipation builds for what surprises await this edition.

Concacaf W Champions Cup Finals

The North, Central and Caribbean women's club championship enters its second year, with four remaining teams vying for continental supremacy. The semifinals are scheduled for May 20-23 at a venue yet to be revealed.

Gotham FC holds the defending champion title as the inaugural CWCC winners, and the Bats will seek to retain their crown. The 2025 NWSL champions face Club América in the semifinals, while Washington Spirit battles Pachuca in the other semifinal matchup.

NWSL Championship Final

While the venue remains unannounced, the 13th NWSL final is set for November 21. Gotham completed their remarkable double-trophy 2025 campaign by capturing last year's NWSL championship at PayPal Park in San Jose, defeating Washington Spirit 1-0.

As one of women's football's most eagerly awaited and dramatic club competitions, the NWSL championship consistently provides thrilling entertainment and attracts numerous celebrity attendees.

CONCACAF World Cup qualifying final round

The U.S. women's national team's path to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup begins in earnest during November 2026. The four-time World Cup champions will join Canada and six additional CONCACAF nations in a qualifying tournament.

Eight teams will be divided into two four-team groups, with four advancing to semifinals before the final. The four semifinalists secure automatic 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup berths, while the two strongest third-place group finishers earn inter-confederation playoff positions.

The USWNT maintains a perfect World Cup qualification record. Following their 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal triumph under Emma Hayes's inaugural tournament leadership, expectations will be elevated for the Americans entering this competition.