The Women's Super League (WSL) is bracing for major disruption next season as Arsenal and Chelsea are likely to be absent from domestic competition for up to a month due to the inaugural Women's Club World Cup. The tournament is set to take place in the United States from 5-30 January, directly clashing with the WSL calendar.
Arsenal are guaranteed to participate as the 2025 Champions League winners. Chelsea are also likely to secure a spot, though their place could be lost if Manchester City win this season's Champions League. Transatlantic travel for the US-hosted event is expected to add further challenges for European teams.
An extended run in the Club World Cup could see the two English clubs miss as many as four WSL match rounds, in addition to the fourth round of the FA Cup. This would lead to significant fixture congestion towards the end of the season, a growing concern within the women's game.
The WSL declined to comment on the situation, stating they have not yet been informed of FIFA's plans. However, sources have indicated that the tournament's impact is likely to be challenging and affect several match rounds.