England captain Leah Williamson will miss the Lionesses' upcoming 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine.

The Arsenal defender suffered a hamstring injury during a recent rehabilitation session, indicating a blow for both club and country.

Leah Williamson Faces Fitness Concerns After WSL Season

Williamson has struggled with fitness in recent months. Following a 2023 knee surgery, Williamson picked up a new knock during back-to-back champion England's 2025 Euros run. She subsequently only started in two matches for Arsenal during the 2025/26 season.

While she managed to compete in Arsenal's Champions League semifinal clash with Lyon, she ended her WSL season nursing a hamstring issue on the bench.

Despite the late scratch, Sarina Wiegman's side remains in position to seal a 2027 World Cup spot.

England's Road to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup

England currently leads its qualifying group by three points over reigning world champions Spain. Now, the Lionesses only need to pick up a single point on Friday to punch a ticket to Brazil for next year's tournament.

Still, with the reliable WSL defender sidelined, England had to reshuffle its roster. Wiegman tapped Liverpool captain Grace Fisk to replace Williamson, while the team faces additional fitness tests ahead of the weekend's continental clash.

Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating is currently out on concussion protocol. Brighton keeper Sophie Baggaley will join the team as cover, though WSL Golden Glove winner Hannah Hampton will likely stay in goal against Spain.

England takes on Spain on June 5th at 3 PM ET, before squaring off with Ukraine on June 9th to cap its qualifying run.

When is the Women's World Cup 2027?

Meanwhile, the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup will kick off on June 24th, 2027 in Brazil.

Running through July 25th, it marks the first time the tournament will be hosted in South America, with Netflix holding the exclusive US streaming rights.

The WSL transfer window officially opens June 18th, but teams across the UK league are already making deals — and headlines — as clubs look to fill gaps with high-profile free transfer signings.

Veteran Arsenal defender Katie McCabe is headed south. The Ireland captain signed a three-year contract with rival Chelsea after 11 years with the Gunners.

"It's a new chapter in my career," the 30-year-old said Monday. "I'm really excited to get going and show the Chelsea fans how ready I am to perform for the badge."

Chelsea is expected to take an aggressive market approach. Star striker Sam Kerr recently departed the Blues, while the team also lost a bid to sign Manchester City forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw.

Chelsea finished the 2025/26 WSL season in third place, trailing Man City and Arsenal after winning six consecutive league titles.

"This club has been successful for so many years," added McCabe, who grew up a Blues fan. "For me, it's about bringing that success back."

Stina Blackstenius delivered a dramatic 93rd-minute winner on Wednesday, as Arsenal defeated Everton 1-0 at the Emirates — keeping the Gunners' 2026/27 Champions League qualification hopes alive in their final home game of the WSL season.

Arsenal vs Everton looked destined for a goalless draw until Blackstenius tapped one home from the penalty spot after a scramble off a corner. The goal moved Arsenal two points ahead of third-place Chelsea with one match remaining.

Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to break down the Everton defense, despite the Toffees conceding 10 goals in the last five WSL matches. Beth Mead came closest in the first half, when her header from Emily Fox's cross hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing on the line. The England winger — making her 249th and penultimate appearance for the club — struck the bar again later in the half.

Alessia Russo raced through in the opening 15 minutes and fired a shot through Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan's legs, but defenders cleared before Arsenal could tap it home. Meanwhile, Laia Codina thought she got one through early in the second half — only for the flag to rule it offside.

Later, Olivia Smith crashed an effort off the bar as Arsenal piled on pressure. The substitute nearly created the winner when her cross found Blackstenius, who missed a header with 10 minutes remaining.

Everton nearly stole the victory when Ornella Vignola's deflected shot bounced just wide of the post, but Blackstenius ensured Arsenal's possessive dominance paid off in stoppage time.

Where to Watch Arsenal vs Liverpool in WSL Final Matchday

Manager Renée Slegers's side now needs only a point off Liverpool to secure a spot in next season's Champions League competition.

Arsenal kicks off against Liverpool on Saturday at 8 AM ET, streaming live on ESPN.

Arsenal is officially losing a club legend this summer, as the club announced on Monday that forward Beth Mead will be leaving the Gunners after nine years with the team.

Mead scored 86 goals in 263 games for Arsenal in her career, winning the 2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League title as well as multiple domestic cups.

"For me, it's always been about more than just trophies, it's about the people you share it with," Mead said in Arsenal's Instagram announcement. "The friendships I've made here go far beyond football and I know that they'll last a lifetime."

"Beth has made a huge contribution to our football club over nine years, and will go down in history as one of our best forwards and a legend of the club," Arsenal’s director of women’s football Clare Wheatley said.

"Beth is such a special person and will always be welcome at Arsenal. I know our supporters will join me in wishing Beth happiness and success in her future endeavours."

Mead is reportedly close to a move to 2026 WSL champions Manchester City, as a busy offseason could reshape the hierarchy of numerous top English clubs.

Elsewhere in the WSL, Chelsea legend Millie Bright has already announced her retirement, while Manchester City striker Khadija "Bunny" Shaw and Chelsea legend Sam Kerr both have not yet signed extensions with their current clubs.

Manchester City claimed its first WSL championship since 2016 on Wednesday, after Arsenal could only manage a 1-1 draw at Brighton — ending Chelsea's six consecutive title streak.

The Manchester City WSL triumph came without the team even taking the field. City entered the UK league's home stretch with a six-point lead over second-place Chelsea, while Arsenal's dropped points at Brighton mathematically clinched the title despite the Gunners having games in hand.

"I knew the ambition from the club, what they put into the women's programme, the quality of players and also the hunger to win," manager Andree Jeglertz told the BBC. "Definitely, I had a feeling already from the beginning that it was possible."

Jeglertz became just the second manager in WSL history to win the title in a debut campaign, following Chelsea's Sonia Bompastor in 2025. Manchester City dominated throughout the season behind league-leading scorer Khadija "Bunny," Shaw alongside top-scoring forwards Vivianne Miedema and Karolin.

Coming off a tough Champions League loss, Arsenal fought to keep the title race alive against Brighton & Hove Albion. However, Brighton's Fuka Tsunoda stunned the visitors with a deflected 43rd-minute strike, before Frida Maanum equalized in the 62nd minute. Despite bringing on Katie McCabe, Beth Mead, and Stina Blackstenius late in pursuit of a winner, the Gunners could not break through.

"This wouldn't have been possible without the incredible effort, belief, passion and dedication of my colleagues, the players and the fans," Jeglertz said. "But this isn't the end of the road — we still have plenty to fight for this season and in the coming years."

Manchester City now shifts focus to Sunday's FA Cup semifinal against defending champions Chelsea.

The race for Champions League qualification will likely come down to the WSL's final day on May 16th.

The Champions League final is set, after Barcelona and OL Lyonnes claimed dominant semifinal victories over the weekend — booking tickets to the May 23rd showdown.

Eight-time champion Lyonnes overturned a 2-1 deficit against defending champion Arsenal with Saturday's 3-1 win to advance 4-3 on aggregate. Highlights include Wendie Renard converting a retaken penalty and Kadidiatou Diani giving Lyon the lead, with Renard becoming the oldest player to score in a Champions League semifinal at 35 years and 286 days.

Arsenal's Alessia Russo equalized the tie in the 76th minute. However, Brand's clinical 86th-minute finish sent Lyon to its 12th UWCL final.

The semifinal marked Lyon's 15th UWCL semifinal appearance.

On Sunday, Barcelona crushed Bayern Munich 4-2 after a 1-1 first-leg draw. The Spanish champion subsequently advanced 5-3 on aggregate, reaching an unprecedented sixth consecutive Champions League final. Veteran midfielder Alexia Putellas scored twice while Salma Paralluelo and Ewa Pajor added goals in front of 60,021 fans at Camp Nou.

Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí returned from a broken leg sustained in November, entering as a second-half substitute.

"It's hard to explain the feeling I have today," Bonmatí said postgame. "There couldn't have been a better day to come back. It's been a very tough but rewarding five months. It's been a different challenge in my career, which I think has helped me both as a footballer and professionally."

The UWCL final marks the fourth meeting between Barcelona and Lyon in a Champions League final. Lyon holds a 2-1 head-to-head edge, winning in 2019 (4-1) and 2022 (3-1) before Barcelona gained revenge with 2024's 2-0 victory.

Arsenal is honing in on another UWCL final, as the reigning European champion visits OL Lyonnes for Saturday’s semifinal decider on a 2-1 aggregate lead.

The Gunners enter the match with momentum, after dismantling Leicester City 7-0 in WSL play. Arsenal will also look for a locker room boost, as the team announced vice captain Leah Williamson signed a new two-year contract with the club.

“I don't feel like I’m done,” Williamson said after 12 years at Arsenal. “It’s really special to be somewhere where you care so much about the people, the project, the place. I don't think it's something to take for granted.”

Three-time UWCL winner Barcelona is also eyeing a final return, taking on German champion Bayern Munich after the pair’s first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.

"We had a tough time in the final stretch, and yet we didn't concede," said Barcelona head coach Pere Romeu postgame. "And, on the contrary, in the second half the opposite happened: When we were playing our best, they equalized."

"The first half was different from the second half," echoed midfielder Alexia Putellas. "We have to adapt our game. We should've scored one more goal in the second half. Now let's go to the Camp Nou."

Where to Watch the UWCL Champions League Semifinals

Arsenal kicks off against Lyonnes on Saturday at 9 AM ET before Barcelona hosts Bayern on Sunday at 10:30 AM ET. All Champions League semifinal matches air live on Paramount+.

Miami will host the final phase of the 2027 FIFA Women's Champions Cup from January 27-31, the governing body announced Tuesday at its 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.

The decision brings the FIFA Champions Cup to the US for the first time, after Arsenal claimed the inaugural title in London earlier this year. The Gunners defeated Corinthians at Emirates Stadium in the first edition of the elite six-team tournament.

The Women's Champions Cup final phase includes semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the championship match. FIFA has not yet confirmed specific venues, though Hard Rock Stadium and Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park are the leading candidates.

Nu Stadium opened in April 2026 as Inter Miami's permanent home with 26,700 seats. Hard Rock Stadium offers larger capacity and established infrastructure for major international events.

ESPN's Jeff Kassouf reported Florida was originally expected to host the inaugural January 2026 event, but Arsenal pushed for London after qualifying.

The FIFA Women's Champions Cup gathers the top six women's club teams globally. Each participating club must win its respective continental confederation championship: UEFA for Europe, Concacaf for North and Central America, CONMEBOL for South America, and others.

The tournament fills the gap in years when 16-team Women's Club World Cup does not take place.

NWSL club Gotham FC finished third in 2026, and now has a shot at representing Concacaf again alongside the Washington Spirit, Club America, and Pachuca.

Manchester City is making a bold play for Arsenal veterans Beth Mead and Katie McCabe as both players enter free agency this summer, The Athletic reported Monday.

Mead and McCabe, both 30, hold contracts that expire at the end of the 2025/26 WSL season. No deals have been finalized, but sources expect City to secure both signings once the WSL transfer window reopens on June 1st.

McCabe has drawn interest from reigning WSL champions Chelsea as well. The versatile defender celebrated her 300th Arsenal appearance Sunday before the Gunners' 2-1 Champions League victory over Lyonnes.

Beth Mead has delivered more than 250 appearances and 78 goals for Arsenal since joining from Sunderland in 2017. Despite questions about her playing time following Arsenal's record £1 million signing of Olivia Smith last summer, Mead has remained crucial this season, registering two goals and five assists in the WSL plus three goals and three assists in Champions League play.

The moves would reunite both players with former Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema, who now plays for Manchester City. Mead's partner, Miedema, was unavailable for City's weekend match, as Mead also missed Arsenal's UWCL clash due to personal reasons.

Manchester City leads the WSL table by six points with two matches remaining and has all but secured Champions League qualification for next season. The club seeks depth ahead of European competition, particularly at fullback where options remain thin beyond Alex Greenwood and Kerstin Casparij.

Arsenal sits fourth in the WSL with three games in hand and trails Manchester City by 11 points. The Gunners have entered advanced talks with Barcelona defender Ona Batlle, viewed as McCabe's likely replacement.

The reigning UWCL winner couldn’t be silenced on Sunday, as Arsenal topped OL Lyonnes 2-1 to take the lead in the two-leg Champions League semifinals.

Forward Jule Brand opened the scoring for the French champions. Later, a clumsy defensive breakdown gifted the Gunners an own goal, before forward Olivia Smith scored the second-half game-winner at the Emirates.

“The first half was quite even. We gave away a cheap goal,” captain Leah Williamson said. “But what you saw second-half was a team on a mission, fueled by the crowd.”

Lyon isn’t the only side hunting a second-leg spark, as three-time UWCL winner Barcelona settled for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich.

The German champions battled for a result after goal-scorer Franziska Kett was dealt a red card in the 79th minute. However, the Spanish side ultimately could not capitalize on Bayern’s loss.

“I think in general we defended our goal pretty well,” Bayern captain Glódís Viggósdóttir told UEFA.

“We followed the game plan, we closed the spaces that we wanted to close and then we wanted to get them on the counter, and obviously it’s a fantastic goal from start to finish. I’m just incredibly proud of how we handled every single situation today.”

“We’re heading back to Barcelona with a draw that feels like too little, given the chances we had,” said Barcelona manager Pere Romeu.

How to Watch Arsenal in the UWCL Champions League Semifinals

The UWCL semifinals finish up this weekend, as Arsenal visits OL Lyonnes on Saturday at 9 AM ET. Afterwards, Barcelona hosts Bayern on Sunday at 10:30 AM ET. Both matches air live on Paramount+.

The Champions League final kicks off on May 23rd in Oslo, Norway.