We also review the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in Oslo and wrap up the Ninja A-League Women season in Australia with its playoff results and major award winners.
2025-26 AFC Women’s Champions League Wraps Up in Korea Republic
The AFC Women’s Champions League concluded in Suwon, Korea Republic, with the semifinals and final held on May 20 and 23. In the first semifinal, NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza defeated newly crowned Ninja A-League champions Melbourne City 3-1. Japanese international midfielder Yuzuho Shiokoshi scored twice as Verdy raced into a two-goal lead inside ten minutes. Melbourne City pulled one back through Aideen Keane before Shiokoshi sealed the win late in the match.
The second semifinal drew significant attention as DPR Korea’s Naegohyang defeated host side Suwon FC Women 2-1 in front of 5,763 spectators. Suwon took the lead through Haruhi Suzuki, but goals from DPR Korea internationals Choe Kum-ok and Kim Kyong-yong turned the match around. Suwon captain Ji So-yun missed a late penalty that could have levelled the game.
The match was historic as a DPR Korea women’s club side had not played in Korea Republic since 2014. The atmosphere was notable, with large numbers of supporters backing Naegohyang. After the match, Suwon coach Park Kil-young expressed disappointment, saying the occasion had been an opportunity to raise the profile of women’s football in Korea Republic.
In the final, Naegohyang defeated Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 thanks to Kim Kyong-yong’s goal just before halftime. The DPR Korea side had roughly half of the 2,670 spectators supporting them and celebrated the club’s first AFC Women’s Champions League title.
Kim Kyong-yong was named Player of the Tournament and shared the Golden Boot award with Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara on four goals. The victory was particularly significant for DPR Korea. While the nation has dominated youth football, winning recent FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, this represented its first major senior continental club title and further underlined its ambitions ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Naegohyang’s triumph also secured qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and earned the club $1.3 million in prize money.
2025-26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup Finals Review
The second edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup concluded in Pachuca, Mexico, featuring two Liga MX Femenil clubs and two NWSL sides.
In the first semifinal, Club América defeated Gotham FC 4-1. Gotham’s hopes suffered a major setback when goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger left injured shortly before halftime. América took full advantage, with Scarlett Camberos scoring a hat-trick while Brazilian international Geyse played a central role in the attack.
The second semifinal saw Washington Spirit edge host club Pachuca 1-0 thanks to an 81st-minute winner from Paraguayan teenager Claudia Martinez.
Pachuca claimed third place with a 3-0 victory over Gotham FC, while the final delivered one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. Club América came from behind to defeat Washington Spirit 5-3 and capture the continental title. Washington led 3-2 midway through the second half, but América responded immediately. Geyse scored twice, including a goal created by blocking a clearance on the goal line, while Irene Guerrero added the decisive strike.
The victory was historic for Club América and Liga MX Femenil. It marked the first time a Mexican club had won a major regional competition featuring NWSL opposition. América defeated two of the strongest clubs in North America in Gotham and Washington, underlining the growing strength of Liga MX Femenil.
The tournament also highlighted how far the Mexican league has progressed. Clubs such as América, Pachuca, Tigres and Monterrey increasingly appear capable of competing regularly with top NWSL sides.
Club América dominated the individual awards. Scarlett Camberos was named Best Player after contributing nine goals and assists during the tournament, while teammate Montserrat Saldívar won Best Young Player. Goalkeeper Itzel Velasco earned Best Goalkeeper honours. Camberos and Pachuca striker Chinwendu Ihezuo shared the Golden Boot with five goals each.
The winner qualifies for the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and remains on the pathway toward the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028.
UEFA Women’s Champions League Final
Barcelona claimed their fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League title in six seasons with a commanding 4-0 victory over OL Lyonnes in Oslo.
After a scoreless first half, Barcelona took control through Polish international Ewa Pajor and Spanish international Salma Paralluelo, who each scored twice. The final attracted a sell-out crowd of 24,258 and further cemented Barcelona’s status as the dominant force in European women’s football.
The result raises intriguing questions for both clubs heading into the transfer window. Lyon owner Michele Kang has shown a willingness to invest heavily after setbacks, while Barcelona continue to balance financial pressures caused by wider club budget restrictions.
The summer transfer market promises to be particularly active with the 2027 Women’s World Cup approaching. One major development already confirmed is Manchester City’s decision to retain Jamaican international Khadija Shaw on a new long-term contract. Shaw remains one of the world’s most prolific forwards and her continued presence strengthens City’s hopes of making a deep Champions League run next season.
2025-26 Ninja A-League Women Playoffs and Awards
The Ninja A-League playoffs began with Brisbane Roar defeating Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory overcoming Canberra United in the elimination finals.
In the semifinals, Melbourne City defeated Melbourne Victory 2-0 on aggregate, while Wellington Phoenix reached their first Grand Final after defeating Brisbane Roar 3-2 on aggregate. American forward Makala Woods was the hero, scoring twice in the second leg in Wellington.
The Grand Final at AAMI Park saw Melbourne City defeat Wellington Phoenix 3-1 to secure their fifth A-League championship. Holly McNamara scored twice before halftime to lead City to victory, adding to a season in which she again finished as the league’s Golden Boot winner. The crowd of 7,174 was the third-highest attendance in Grand Final history.
Despite defeat, Wellington enjoyed a historic campaign under former Canada coach Bev Priestman, finishing second in the regular season and reaching the club’s first Grand Final.
The Professional Footballers Australia Team of the Season reflected the dominance of Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix. City captain Rebekah Stott received the most player votes, while Holly McNamara, Leticia McKenna and Aideen Keane were also recognised. Wellington contributed six players, with Priestman named Coach of the Team of the Season.
At the annual A-Leagues awards, Central Coast Mariners midfielder Isabel Gomez won the Julie Dolan Medal as the league’s best player after recording six assists and four goals. Wellington Phoenix teenager Pia Vlok was named Young Footballer of the Year, becoming the first New Zealander to win the award.
Other honours included Antoni Jagarinec as Coach of the Year after guiding Canberra United to fourth place, Courtney Newbon as Goalkeeper of the Year for Melbourne Victory, and Holly McNamara claiming a second consecutive Golden Boot with 12 goals.
The 2025-26 season demonstrated the growing strength of the Ninja A-League, with Melbourne City once again setting the standard domestically while also reaching the final four of the AFC Women’s Champions League. As the league heads into its 18th season, clubs across Australia and New Zealand continue to raise standards both on and off the field.
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