Champions Cup and WSL talking points: Arsenal rule the world but tournament needs a rethink
The Guardian · 2026-03-02 · archive
The Gunners had home comforts while the other teams had to travel long distances and cope with inferior facilitiesArsenal are world champions. It’s a weird thing to say about the team fourth in the WSL, albeit with a game in hand, and who failed to qualify automatically for the Champions League quarter-finals and face a two-legknockout phase playoff. However, the 3-2 defeat of the Copa Libertadores champions, Corinthians, by the Uefa Champions League holders secured their global title. If Arsenal had lost – and at times it felt as if they were trying to – it would have been quite...
The Story So Far
West Ham United observers tracking the wider landscape of women’s football will note that Arsenal recently secured a global title by winning the Champions Cup. The Gunners defeated the holders of the Copa Libertadores, Corinthians, with a 3-2 victory. Despite their current domestic standing in the Women’s Super League, where they occupy fourth place and face upcoming European knockout matches, this win establishes them as world champions. However, the current tournament format has drawn scrutiny due to logistical advantages enjoyed by the winners, who played at home while their opponents contended with both significant international travel and substandard local facilities.
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