CONCACAF champions Gotham FC have been drawn against South American champions Corinthians of Brazil in the semi-finals of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. The match will take place in London next year as part of the tournament's final four. The event serves as a precursor to the full FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028.
The draw for the first-ever FIFA Women’s Champions Cup confirmed an exciting semi-final clash between Gotham FC and Corinthians. Gotham FC earned their spot by winning the inaugural CONCACAF W Champions Cup Final in May, defeating hosts Tigres UANL in Monterrey. Corinthians secured their qualification today by triumphing in the Copa Libertadores Femenina, beating Deportivo Cali of Colombia in a penalty shoot-out after a scoreless regulation time in the final at Estadio Florencio Sola in Banfield, Argentina. Brazilian forward Jhonson scored the decisive penalty, while Cali's Kelly Ibargüen missed hers. This marks Corinthians' sixth title in nine years and a third consecutive victory, extending Brazilian clubs' streak to seven straight continental championships. The 16-team tournament was held over 17 days in the Greater Buenos Aires province.
In the other semi-final, European champions Arsenal will face the winner of a play-off between AFC champions Wuhan Jiangda of China and the yet-to-be-determined CAF Women’s Champions League winners. Wuhan Jiangda advanced after defeating Oceania champions Auckland FC in the opening play-off earlier this month, with Jiang Chenjing scoring the competition's first-ever goal in front of 32,218 spectators at the Wuhan Five Rings Sports Center.
The final four—comprising two semi-finals, a third-placed match, and a final—will occur during the last week of January in London, with the venue still to be decided. The FIFA Council approved the London hosting two weeks ago. Arsenal, as UEFA Women’s Champions League title holders, will reschedule their Women’s Super League match against Leicester City on January 31 to accommodate the tournament. Last season, Arsenal made history as the first women’s team to win the Champions League while finishing third domestically, playing a record 15 matches in the competition amid 41 total games. This season, they could face up to 45 games across five competitions, including potential play-offs in the new Swiss-format Champions League.