Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's women's national football team, has fought for three years to ensure Afghan female footballers have a future in the sport. After tireless efforts and advocacy, she announced that FIFA has finally agreed to support the rebuilding of women's football in Afghanistan. The sport was banned in the country after the Taliban took control in 2021, forcing many female players to flee. Popal, who now lives in Denmark, has played a key role in protecting and helping Afghan women footballers, ensuring they can continue playing outside their homeland. Through her organization, 'Girl Power Organisation,' she has been a strong voice for womenâs rights, using football as a tool to empower girls and connect communities.
She believes that football is more than just a game; it is a way to bring people together and drive social change. Popal has been working with international organizations and governing bodies to provide opportunities for Afghan female players to compete again. FIFA's recent decision to support Afghan women's football gives hope to many players who had their dreams taken away. While the road ahead is still challenging, this progress marks a step toward a future where Afghan women can return to the field and represent their country. Popal remains committed to ensuring that female athletes have the support and resources they need to pursue their passion, no matter where they are.
After Thursday's matches, we already know what the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final line-up will look like.Â
Chelsea will face defending champions Barcelona, a team renowned for their dominance in European competitions. Chelsea's recent 3-0 victory over Manchester City showcased their formidable form, with standout performances from Nathalie BjĂśrn and Mayra RamĂrez. To overcome Barcelona, Chelsea will need to maximize their home advantage and maintain their high-intensity play.
Arsenal will have to deal with multiple champions Olympique Lyon after knocking out Real Madrid. The Gunners beat the White Ballet 3-0 at home at the Emirates on Wednesday to turn the series around after losing 3-2 in Madrid. The teams already met in the Champions League in 2022 in the group stage, when Arsenal won 5-1 but lost 0-1 in the return leg.Â
The matches will take place on 19 and 26 April.
Trinity Rodman is returning to the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) for the first time since the 2024 Olympics. Coach Emma Hayes included her in the 24-player squad for upcoming friendly matches against Brazil. These games are scheduled for April 5 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and April 8 at PayPal Park in San Jose.
The squad features 19 players from the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, with notable additions such as Kansas City Current center-back Alana Cook, returning after her last appearance in 2023. Two uncapped players, Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Houston Dash's Avery Patterson, are also included. Angelina Anderson and Mia Fishel will join as training players.
UEFA has launched "Unstoppable," a six-year strategy aimed at elevating women's football by 2030. The plan focuses on making football the most popular team sport for women and girls in every European country, developing professional leagues, and increasing the number of professional players. It also aims to create a sustainable and investable environment for women's football and celebrate its unique community values.
To achieve these goals, UEFA has outlined eight strategic priorities. These include developing pathways for players, coaches, and referees; ensuring universal access to grassroots football; and promoting high-performance systems. The strategy builds upon the success of UEFA's previous initiative, "Time For Action," and aligns with the broader "United for Success 2024-30" strategy to foster a thriving football environment across Europe.
Arsenal defender Leah Williamson emphasized the team's commitment to maintaining high standards and learning from past performances ahead of their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. Reflecting on their previous 2-0 loss, she acknowledged that the team underperformed and stressed the importance of self-assessment and continuous improvement. Williamson highlighted the team's culture of accountability and the necessity of being present and impactful in every action and communication with teammates.
With over 20,000 supporters expected at Emirates Stadium, Williamson expressed confidence in the squad's ability to leverage the home advantage. She drew parallels to their previous successful comeback against Bayern Munich in a similar situation, noting that such experiences instill confidence and belief in overturning deficits. As an Arsenal fan who grew up with the club, Williamson conveyed the team's ambition to replicate past successes and continue striving toward their goals.
Arsenal vs. Real Madrid
Arsenal faces a challenging task as they host Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. Real Madrid's Linda and Athenea were pivotal in securing the initial advantage. Arsenal's recent 4-0 victory over Liverpool showcases their offensive prowess, which they'll need to replicate to progress. Key players to watch include Arsenal's Leah Williamson, who remains optimistic about her team's chances, stating they can overcome the deficit despite the earlier setback. Real Madrid's solid defense will be tested against Arsenal's aggressive approach. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26th, and will be streamed live on DAZN Women's Football YouTube channel.
Lyon vs. Bayern Munich
Lyon holds a significant advantage after a 2-0 away win in the first leg against Bayern Munich. Bayern, facing their first home defeat to Lyon, will be eager to overturn the deficit. Key players for Lyon include forward Ada Hegerberg, known for her clinical finishing, and defender Wendie Renard, who anchors their defense. Bayern's resilience will be tested as they aim to breach Lyon's robust defense. The match takes place on Wednesday, March 26th.
Chelsea vs. Manchester City
In a series of closely contested matches, Manchester City holds a 2-0 advantage from the first leg. Chelsea aims to overturn this deficit in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's resilience was evident in their recent 2-1 victory over City in the Women's Super League, a match marred by a refereeing error that favored Chelsea. Key players to watch include Chelsea's defender Nathalie BjĂśrn who has been in great form recently, and City's forward Vivianne Miedema, who scored 2 goals in previous UWCL match . The match is slated for Thursday, March 27th.
Barcelona vs. Wolfsburg
The match will take place at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona. In the first leg, held on March 19, 2025, at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Barcelona secured a 4-1 victory. This result gives Barcelona a huge advantage heading into the second leg, but Wolfsburg remains a formidable opponent with a history of strong performances in European competitions. On the other hand, Barcelona lost to Real Madrid for the first time on Sunday, so nothing is impossible in football.
Fans can expect an intense and competitive match as both teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals. Key players to watch include Barcelona's Ewa Pajor, who has been in exceptional form, and Wolfsburg's captain Alexandra Popp, known for her leadership and goal-scoring abilities. The outcome of this fixture will determine which team advances further in the tournament, bringing them closer to the coveted Champions League title.
Alisha Lehmann, a Swiss forward, has had an eventful career playing in England's Women's Super League (WSL) for clubs like West Ham, Everton, and Aston Villa before moving to Juventus in Italyâs Serie A Femminile. Since her transfer, she has noticed key differences between the two leagues, particularly in playing conditions and facilities. In England, clubs prioritize high-quality pitches, and matches are often postponed if the playing surface is not up to standard. In contrast, some Italian teams still use artificial turf, which she finds physically demanding and not ideal for professional football. Despite this, she appreciates Juventus' excellent training facilities and the high intensity of the sessions, which push her to improve as a player.
Lehmann also spoke about how playing conditions can affect performance and injury risks. She explained that artificial turf puts extra strain on playersâ bodies, increasing the chances of injuries over time. In England, the WSL has set higher standards for pitch quality, ensuring that players compete on well-maintained grass fields. However, in Italy, games continue even in poor conditions, which can negatively impact the quality of football. Despite these challenges, Lehmann remains focused on her development at Juventus, adapting to the differences while maintaining her ambitions at the highest level of women's football.
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has strongly condemned the abusive language directed at Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda during a recent match against Gotham FC. The league stated that such behavior is unacceptable and goes against its values of respect and inclusion. Officials are investigating the incident to ensure that appropriate action is taken. Orlando Pride and Gotham FC also expressed their support for Banda, emphasizing the importance of a safe and respectful environment for all players.
Banda, who recently joined Orlando Pride, has been an important player for the team. Despite the incident, she remains focused on her performance and helping her team succeed. The NWSL is working to prevent similar situations in the future by reinforcing strict policies against discrimination and abuse. Fans and players alike are calling for better protection and respect for athletes on and off the pitch.
