BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back with a bonus episode this week to preview a big week of European action and some awards news!
First up, they preview this week’s Champions League match between Arsenal and Barcelona, a repeat of the 2025 final, and ask whether the Gunners can pull off another shock result. Plus, Em Sanders chats to Barcelona star Esmee Brugts. Elsewhere on matchday 4, Manchester City travel to Italy to take on Inter Milan and Chelsea take on Häcken.
Shifting focus to the international stage, Ellen and Ben react to England’s Nations League group for the 2027 edition of the tournament, which will also act as qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. And to wrap things up, Ellen and Ben give you all the details for the 2026 edition of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
You can now vote for your BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year at bbc.com/women’s football - voting closes at 09:00 GMT on Wednesday 18th November.

Ellen White and Ben Haines take the pod on the road to the home of the ‘WSL disruptors’, London City Lionesses!
They’re joined by special guest Jana Fernandez to discuss London City's massive shift in mindset this season, growing their fanbase, and her own impressive form. Plus, the Spanish defender reveals who she’s battling with in fiery training sessions ahead of their blockbuster WSL clash against Arsenal this weekend.
Ben catches up with Jana's LCL teammate Alexia Putellas following her historic third Ballon d’Or win and to wrap up, Ellen and Ben preview two massive top-of-the-table clashes that could shake up the title race!
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben take the pod on the road.
02:43 - Jana Fernandez joins the pod!
05:11 - The mentality shift at London City this year.
14:00 - Building a fanbase.
18:30 - Looking at LCL’s upcoming fixtures.
21:22 - Jana on how her season is going personally and fiery training sessions.
28:50 - Daniëlle van de Donk’s form this season and Jana’s Spanish connections in London.
32:15 - Ellen and Ben reflect on their chat with Jana.
35:15 - Ben catches up with Alexia Putellas after her third Ballon d’Or win.
40:40 - Ben and Ellen debrief other WSL fixtures with two top of the table clashes ahead.

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back, joined by The Guardian’s women’s football writer Tom Garry, to break down a big weekend of domestic action.
London City Lionesses pushed the defending champions all the way on Sunday, proving they can compete with the WSL elite. The panel dissect where the ambitious side fell short and highlight Jade Rose's standout form for Manchetser City.
The team also take a deeper look into Chelsea’s season so far. With Sonia Bompastor’s side unbeaten in all competitions and goals coming from everywhere, are they starting to get back to their best?
Elsewhere, Arsenal dropped points at the Emirates again. With a daunting run of fixtures ahead, how do they get back to basics? Plus, Drew Spence reflects on breaking the all-time WSL appearance record in an chat with Em Sanders and Tom breaks down some funding news from FIFA ahead of the World Cup next summer.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back are joined by The Guardian’s women’s football writer, Tom Garry!
02:30 - London City Lionesses impress in a thriller against Manchester City.
14:07 - Arsenal draw again at the Emirate with trickier fixtures ahead.
24:35 - Drew Spence chats to Em Sanders after breaking the WSL appearance record.
29:00 - What’s going right for Chelsea?
40:38 - This week’s Golden Goggles award.
44:12 - FIFA agrees to increase preparation money for the Women’s World Cup.

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back together in the studio, and they're joined by WSL and England legend, Steph Houghton!
The team break down a blockbuster weekend of derbies, from Manchester United ending City's 100% start to Arsenal’s north London derby comeback, reliving pressure on both the team and manager Renee Slegers.
Ellen and Steph also discuss the progress Manchester United have made since the start of the season, Drew Spence's longevity as she equals the all-time WSL appearance record and Bunny Shaw’s ability to always be ready for showtime!
Plus, the Champions League returns for matchday 3, so our trio look ahead to the return of European nights with all three English clubs at home.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen White and Ben Haines are back in the studio together.
01:20 - Steph Houghton joins the team!
02:50 - Reaction to the Manchester derby as United end City's 100% start.
Bunny Shaw proves she’s always ready for showtime and how have United turned their WSL form around?
22:11 - Arsenal come from behind to beat Spurs in the north London derby.
28:24 - Was Arsenal’s winning penalty a controversial one?
33:40 - Drew Spence equals the all-time WSL appearance record.
36:32 - London City Lionesses held to a draw by Liverpool with tough challenges ahead.
40:20 - UWCL preview as the competition returns for matchday 3.

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and Ellen starts by telling us about an exciting new job role. Joined by Em Sanders, the team react to Sarina Wiegman’s two-year contract extension with England and unveil the inaugural ‘Golden Goggles’ award for the best celebration of the week!
There’s a WSL debrief focusing on the standout performances of Lauren James, Daniëlle van de Donk, and Océane Hurtré so far this season. Plus, we look at the big talking points ahead of this weekend’s derby games in North London and Manchester.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back and Ellen has a new job!
02:00 - Em Sanders is back on the pod too!
03:05 - England manager Sarina Wiegman has signed a two-year contract extension.
17:20 - Our new ‘Golden Goggles’ award!
21:00 - Debrief of the WSL looking at three standout players, starting with Chelsea’s Lauren James.
27:00 - London City Lionesses’ unsung hero, Daniëlle van de Donk.
31:10 - Arsenal v Birmingham City, with a focus on Océane Hurtré.
39:05 - Look ahead to this weekend’s WSL derbies, starting with the north London derby.
44:50 - Preview of the Manchester derby.