Irune Dorado is an expert in achieving small goals that have big results. The first of them was achieved in 2025, when as a Real Madrid B player, she managed to make her debut with the first team. In addition, she became the youngest player to do so with the white club in Liga F since the competition became professional in 2022.

When manager Sarina Wiegman called up relatively unknown 17-year-old midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson to the Lionesses’ April 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches, women’s football fans were intrigued and curious. Although she has yet to earn her first cap for the senior squad, Parkinson has been making waves, most recently after signing a four-year contract with the North Carolina Courage of the NWSL. Who is this promising wonderkind drawing attention from all over the world?

While the first organized attempts by Italian women to play football date back to 1932, when a group of female students in Milan began playing the sport, the regime at the time systematically suppressed their efforts. Soon after, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) even banned female athletes from participating in football competitions. 

Vivianne Miedema, one of the greatest icons of the current generation of female footballers, celebrates her 30th birthday on 15 June 1996. Let us look back at the story of this generational striker.

It was a season in which Leah Williamson fulfilled several dreams at once. With her childhood club Arsenal, she won the UEFA Women's Champions League, then as captain defended England's European Championship title, finished seventh in the Ballon d'Or rankings, the best result of her career, and was awarded a CBE by King Charles III. But the fairytale season was followed by one full of injuries.

Although the German U19 national team ultimately fell short of winning its seventh UEFA Women's Under-19 Euro title, the entire tournament demonstrated that an exceptionally strong generation of talent is emerging in the country. Among the players who drew the most attention were goalkeeper Janne Krumme and captain Luzie Zähringer.

FC Barcelona Femení has suffered one of its most sensitive losses in recent years. After the 25/26 season, Mapi León said goodbye to the club, leaving a large gap free in the team’s defense. The Zaragoza centre-back, who has become one of the best players in the world, left the team and her absence will be great in the central area of the defence. With Laia Aleixandri recovering from the cruciate ligament injury, the club is now looking for and alternative for Mapi León.

We've just witnessed one of the wildest transfer weeks in women's football. Not only of 2026, but perhaps in the sport's history. On top of that, the UEFA Women's Under-19 EURO 2026 has crowned its new champions. From blockbuster moves to major tournament headlines, here's everything you need to know from a week packed with big stories.

She was born in California, wears a pink headband, is a striker and celebrates her goals by making the gesture of drinking tea. And no, it’s not Alex Morgan. Her name is Melanie Bárcenas and from a very young age she has begun to break records and set new milestones in women’s football.