News

A round-up spanning governance, honours and appointments. The FA Board has approved expanding the Barclays Women’s Super League from 12 clubs to 14 from 2026/27, with two automatic promotions at the end of the coming season plus a relegation play-off, before a one-up, one-down model with a play-off takes over. The 2027 World Cup in Brazil will be shown live on both BBC and ITV. Spain parted with Montse Tome a fortnight after the EURO final defeat, replacing her with Sonia Bermudez, and also displaced the United States at the top of the FIFA ranking, with England up to fourth. Emma Byrne takes charge at Lewes, Jane Ross joins PFA Scotland and Pauline Hamill will coach Afghanistan’s refugee team. Patricia Gregory MBE enters the Hall of Fame, Rachel Daly receives an MBE, Everton sell their women’s team, and the alcohol-in-stands trial expands to 14 clubs.