Here’s everything fans need to know about the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup teams, format, schedule, highlights, how to watch, and why it matters.
The inaugural 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup (branded 2026) brings six continental champions together in a six-team knockout tournament that starts on 8 October 2025 (play-ins) and finishes with a London final phase in early 2026.
The Women’s Champions Cup is FIFA’s short, elite showcase for continental winners, while the larger, expanded Women’s Club World Cup (16 teams) was moved to a later cycle.
The Champions Cup gives global exposure to the top club sides from every confederation and a new international trophy pathway for women’s clubs. Expect high stakes for clubs and national leagues and more cross-confederation matchups than we’ve seen regularly at the club level.
2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Quick summary
The first round of the inaugural global club competition in women’s football is set to happen on Wednesday, 8 October.
- The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup is a six-team tournament featuring the club champions from each of FIFA’s six confederations. It debuts in the 2026 cycle, with initial play-in matches in October 2025 and the final phase hosted in London (early 2026).
- Format: a short play-in knockout (Round 1 → Round 2) leading to two semi-finals, then a third-place game and final in the neutral final-phase host.
- Tournament: 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup (inaugural edition).
- Teams: 6 continental champions (UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, CAF, OFC).
- Play-ins start: 8 Oct 2025 (Wuhan Jiangda v Auckland United listed on FIFA).
- Final phase host: London (early 2026).
- Broadcasters/streaming partners: FIFA.com match centre +
Teams
The tournament will feature one champion from each confederation (UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, CAF, OFC). Various continental competitions decide these clubs some spots have already been secured, while others will be filled as the continental finals are completed.
Confirmed Teams:
- Arsenal (UEFA) — European champions (2024/25 UWCL winners).
- NJ/NY Gotham FC (CONCACAF) — Winners of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup; confirmed to have qualified for FIFA’s tournament.
- Wuhan Jiangda (AFC) — AFC representative in Play-in Round 1 (hosted match vs OFC champion). (Fixture listed on FIFA’s tournament pages.)
- Auckland United (OFC) — OFC club taking part in the Round 1 matchup vs Wuhan (OFC champion).
To be decided (will complete the six):
- CONMEBOL — 2025 Copa Libertadores Femenina winner (qualifier to be confirmed once the final is played).
- CAF — 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League winner (qualifier to be confirmed after that competition).
2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Format (how the tournament works)
- Six teams, knockout-style:
- Round 1 (play-in): AFC champion hosts the OFC champion (single match).
- Round 2: CAF champion hosts the Round 1 winner.
- Semi-finals: The Round 2 winner meets the UEFA champion at a neutral venue; the CONCACAF champion plays the CONMEBOL champion in the other semi (neutral venue).
- Third-place match & Final: Both played in the neutral final-phase host city.
- Dates (key):
- Play-ins begin: 8 October 2025 (FIFA lists Wuhan Jiangda v Auckland United on that date).
- Final phase (London): early 2026 — FIFA has announced that London will host the final-phase matches for the inaugural edition. The exact dates for the semi-finals and final have been confirmed through FIFA and press releases.
Match Schedule
- Round 1 – Wuhan Jiangda vs Auckland United – 8 October 2025 – 16:00 UTC+8
- Round 2 – CAF representative vs Round 1 winner – December 2025
- Semi-finals 1 – Arsenal vs Round 2 winner – 28 January 2026
- Semi-finals 2 – Gotham FC vs CONMEBOL Club – 29 January 2026
- Third-place match – Runner-up of SF1 vs Runner-up of SF2 – 31 January 2026
- Final – Winner of SF1 vs Winner of SF2 – 1 February 2026
Standings & bracket
Since this is a straight knockout format (with only play-ins before the semifinals), there’s no group table to monitor—the “standings” are just the evolving bracket.
For live brackets, results, and official match pages, check FIFA’s tournament hub or live scores platforms.
How to watch 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup?
FIFA’s tournament pages provide live-stream options and match details for each fixture, though broadcasters differ by region.
For UEFA women’s club football, Disney+ has the rights to the UWCL in certain markets. Broadcast partners for the Women’s Champions Cup might include FIFA’s digital platforms and local broadcasters, so be sure to check FIFA + and your local listings.