Sport and politics have never truly existed in isolation — and the current AFC Women’s Asian Cup is no exception. Iran’s players underlined that reality with a powerful gesture during the national anthem.

Japanese women’s football is on the rise. Fresh off their SheBelieves Cup triumph, Japan arrive as strong favourites for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup title. One player to keep a close eye on is young midfielder Momoko Tanikawa, one of the brightest emerging talents in the squad.

There will be a brief pause in Missy Bo Kearns’ time on the pitch, but it comes with joyful news. The England international has shared that she and her partner are expecting a baby — meaning the Aston Villa family is about to grow by one very special new supporter.

The Olympic spotlight may have faded, but women’s football isn’t slowing down. With World Cup qualifying matches in full swing and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup now underway, the international break is packed with storylines.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup kicks off in Australia on March 1, with 12 teams competing for the title but also for a place at the World Cup. What else should you be watching out for?

As the international window kicks off, Iceland set out on their road to World Cup qualification — boosted by two new faces. Birta Georgsdóttir and Elín Helena Karlsdóttir have both received their first senior call-ups.

From working shifts at a bank to deciding a Champions League final — Fridolina Rolfö’s journey is anything but ordinary. By the time she signed for Barcelona in 2021 as the club’s first-ever Swedish female player, she was already on an upward trajectory. In Catalonia, she etched her name into history.

The title race isn’t the only story this season. At the bottom, the fight for survival is just as intense — while in the Championship, three clubs are chasing promotion to the WSL. With changes to the system coming next season, who stands to benefit? Dive into Rachel Roberts’ latest analysis.

We can all agree that dogs are our most loyal companions, brightening our lives in countless ways. Women’s footballers are no exception, often proudly showing off their four-legged biggest supporters on social media. So, who are the beloved pets of the game’s biggest stars?