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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Suzanne Wrack

Concerns grow over fairness of Women’s Champions Cup timing, location, and Fifa support

General view inside the stadium ahead of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup 2026 Semi Final match between Arsenal Women FC and ASFAR at Brentford Stadium on January 27, 2026 in London, England.
The women’s Champions Cup pits continental champions of Uefa, AFC, Concacaf, and Caf against each other. Photograph: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

There are growing concerns over the integrity and fairness of the Fifa Women’s Champions Cup, with Arsenal viewed as having a significant financial and logistical advantage over fellow competitors Gotham FC, AS Far and Corinthians due to the competition being played in London and the final hosted at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

The Guardian understands that while there is widespread support for a global club competition in women’s football and the announcement of the record-breaking £1.7m / $2.4m prize pot for the tournament is very welcome, clubs have been frustrated by the timing and other details of the inaugural edition, with some feeling that not enough is being done by Fifa to address the significant advantage afforded to Arsenal.

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