Five Notable Women's Soccer Narratives to Monitor in 2025
Following an extraordinary 2024, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of groundbreaking achievements and exhilarating tournaments in the realm of women's soccer worldwide.
Debut Champions in AFC and CONCACAF
The inaugural installments of the official continental women's club competitions under the supervision of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) are nearing their conclusion in the first half of 2025. The quarterfinals are the only stage remaining after the group stages concluded last year.
In the AFC Women’s Champions League, the quarterfinal draw is yet to be revealed, leaving eight teams vying for the title. Japanese champion Urawa Red Diamonds, a past winner of the AFC Women's Club Championship Invitational, should be considered among the top contenders, alongside finalist Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels and Melbourne City. Other competitors include Hồ Chí Minh City, Abu Dhabi Country Club, Iranian side Bam Khatoon, Wuhan Jiangda, and Taichung Blue Whale. The quarterfinals will take place in March, and the final two rounds will occur in May.
Simultaneously, in the summer, the semifinals and finals of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup will determine the first North American club champion. Progressing to the semifinals are only American and Mexican sides, which have been split evenly. Tigres will face off against the Portland Thorns, while Club Aме́rica will square off against NJ/NY Gotham FC for a spot in the final.
As competitions like these grow in other confederations, 2025 will mark the first time that every continent crowns an official women’s club champion.
Four-Tier Battle for Bundesliga Title
The Frauen Bundesliga, Germany's premier women's soccer league, has been dominated by a select few since the turn of the millennium. 1. FFC Frankfurt and Turbine Potsdam reigned supreme at the start of the century, while Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich seized control in the early 2010s. The title has only been won by these four teams since the 2000/01 season. However, a new champion may emerge this year.
The top four teams are separated by fine margins as the midway point of the season approaches. Eintracht Frankfurt, the new alliance of 1. FFC Frankfurt and the city's premier men's club, currently holds the lead on 29 points, barely surpassing defending champion Bayern Munich due to goal difference. Wolfsburg trails closely with a one-point gap, while the unexpected force to watch is Bayer Leverkusen. New head coach Roberto Pätzold has steered the team to within three points of the leaders, leaving an exciting possibilities for Die Werkself in their game in hand.
With such close competition, a nail-biting title race is all but guaranteed.
Challengers Looking to Break Barcelona's Three-Year Reign
Only two teams in the UEFA Women’s Champions League's history have managed to secure three consecutive titles: Wolfsburg (2013–2015) and Lyon (2016–2020). This season, defending champion Barcelona aims to join their ranks.
Boosted by summer transfers, Barcelona is a strong candidate to achieve the three-peat. However, the task will not be easy, with Wyolsurg and Lyon potentially posing significant obstacles. Chelsea, the English champion under the guidance of new head coach Sonia Bompastor, garnering three UWCL winner's medals from her time at Lyon, also looms as a formidable challenge. Manchester City, the team that has bested Barcelona this season, and Bayern Munich will also be players to watch.
As usual, the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals will be held in March, with the semifinals following a month later. The finale will take place in Lisbon in late May.
A Summer of Continental Competitions
Shortly after the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign, a host of international continental tournaments will keep calendars filled through the summer.
The Women’s Euros is set to begin, promising to run longer than any other tournament as 16 teams will compete in Switzerland during July. Defending champion England, world champion Spain, and record champion Germany are predicted to be major contenders for a riveting tournament.
Simultaneously, the 15th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be held, having been pushed back from its initial 2024 scheduling. Morocco will once more host the tournament, with the Atlas Lionesses fighting for their first title against formidable challenges from the defending champion South Africa and record champion Nigeria.
The 2025 Copa América Femenina will take place from mid-July to the early August in Ecuador. The dominant force, Brazil, will seek to defend their title against other contenders like Colombia and Argentina.
Lastly, the OFC Women’s Nations Cup will be hosted by Fiji for two weeks starting in early July.
Enthusiasts of women's soccer in Europe have plenty to look forward to in 2025, and the inaugural UEFA Women's Europa Cup should definitely make the list. Long-standing pleas for a supplementary women's continental club tournament have finally been granted, which means teams that fail to secure top spots in leading leagues and champions from less influential nations can now battle it out for trophies.
The structure of this tournament is as intriguing as its introduction. Following two qualifying rounds, the 16 surviving teams will proceed directly into a two-match elimination stage. The grand finale, just like the preceding rounds, will also be contested as a home-and-away encounter! Thus, there's a strong chance an underdog tale may unfold in this brand-new tournament.
In the context of the AFC Women's Champions League, the Japanese champion Urawa Red Diamonds, with their past victory in the AFC Women's Club Championship Invitational, are considered strong contenders for the title.
During the summer, American and Mexican sides will compete in the semifinals and finals of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, aiming to become the first North American club champion.
The Frauen Bundesliga, known for being dominated by a few teams, saw a shift in the midway point of the 2024/25 season, with Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, and Bayer Leverkusen separated by fine margins.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals in March will feature Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Lyon, among others, as they vie for a spot in the semifinals.
Following the 2024/25 campaign, the Women’s Euros in Switzerland will feature defending champion England, world champion Spain, and record champion Germany, promising a riveting tournament.
