BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ben Haines and Ellen White are together in the studio to break down a big weekend of domestic action and preview the return of European football!
First up, the team react to Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL campaign and Lauren Hemp’s current form, before diving into Tottenham’s dominant victory over 10-player Crystal Palace. Attention then turns to Manchester United taking a massive step forward under Eva Olid against Arsenal, with special praise for their standout summer signing, Andrea Medina.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League returns this week! Ben and Ellen discuss which WSL side faces the toughest draw in the league phase and whether any English team has done enough in the transfer market to bridge the gap to European royalty, Barcelona and Lyon.
Plus, Chelsea star Alyssa Thompson sits down with Em Sanders to discuss her second season in London and Chelsea's European ambitions, and Bethan Woolley, Head of Women & Girls’ Football at the FAW, joins the pod to react to the huge news that Cardiff will host the 2029 UWCL final.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are together in the studio!
02:08 - Reaction to Man City maintaining their 100% start to the season.
07:40 - Olivia Holdt’s hat-trick helps Spurs thrash 10-player Palace.
09:20 - Eva Olid’s Manchester United take a big step forward against Arsenal.
13:08 - Praise for United’s new signing Andrea Medina.
16:24 - The Champions League returns this week! Which WSL side has the toughest draw?
22:56 - Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson chats to Em Sanders.
31:33 - Ellen and Ben reflect on Alyssa’s interview and Chelsea’s European ambitions.
34:45 - Can any WSL team bridge the gap to Barcelona or Lyon on the European stage?
37:30 - Bethan Woolley, Head of Women & Girls’ Football at the FAW, joins the pod to reflect on the news Cardiff will host the 2029 UWCL final.

London City Lionesses owner and businesswoman Michele Kang joins The Football Interview to discuss her ambitious vision for women's football, from transforming London City Lionesses and signing global stars to building world-class facilities for female athletes.
Michele chats to Kelly Somers about her upbringing in South Korea, how she ended up investing in women's football and her ultimate desire to close the 'indefensible' gap between girls and boys.

Ben Haines and Ellen White are back! First up, they dissect Arsenal’s frustrating goalless draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Despite dominating possession, the Gunners failed to find a clinical edge in front of goal - what could dropping early points mean for their title charge? Ellen and Ben also react to Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL season.
Former England and Manchester United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod as the team take a deep dive into the rise of club and confederation-funded fertility care, IVF assistance, and egg-freezing options. Ellen and Siobhan examine how far the sport has progressed since their playing days and how increased fertility support and knowledge benefits players on and off the pitch.
Siobhan also gives her thoughts on Manchester United’s transition period under new head coach Eva Olid, before the team react to the newly revealed 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist. With stars like Alessia Russo and Bunny Shaw in the mix, can a WSL player finally conquer Barcelona’s dominance over the award?
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ben and Ellen are back!
01:45 - Arsenal drop points at the Emirates against Crystal Palace.
07:15 - Reaction from Georgia Stanway and Renee Slegers.
11:15 - Praise for Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
14:15 - Reflections on Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City’s 100% start.
19:37 - Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod for a special discussion on increasing fertility support in women’s football.
28:50 - More on Chelsea’s partnership with Fertility Plus.
37:15 - We get Siobhan’s thoughts on Manchester United’s period of transition.
41:52 - Reflections on the 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist.

Burnley manager Jackie Bachteler sat down with Emma Sanders to talk about contracting sepsis and how nine months ago she was fighting for her life.
The American had just joined the club to work with the women's first team and men's academy but three weeks later, Bachteler was rushed to A&E and diagnosed with sepsis - a life-threatening illness that left her bedridden for days.
Jackie talks very honestly about how it took her months to recover and she still suffers from regular post-sepsis symptoms today.
Burnley host Sunderland in the WSL2 on Sunday which coincides with World Sepsis Day.

Arsenal's Kyra Cooney-Cross opens up to Jo Currie about the death of her mother two months ago. Kyra's mum was diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer, in January of this year.
Kyra talks about navigating grief and how her mum helped her football career. Kyra returned to football after six months away from the game, but credits her teammates and the club for their support during an incredibly difficult period.
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