BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are together for the final time this season to react to the June international break which saw England miss out on automatic qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Ellen and Jen reflect on that one crucial defeat to world champions Spain in Mallorca, which ultimately cost the Lionesses top spot in League A3, and evaluate the new European qualifying process with only four direct qualification spots at the end of the league phase.
Scotland finished top of group B4 after back-to-back wins against Israel. Jen praises captain Caroline Weir for her performances in both games, plus we hear from Claire Emslie who has spoken to BBC Radio Scotland after being back with the national team for the first time since giving birth to her son Jamie in December.
And with the curtain falling on the 2025/26 season, the summer transfer window is only just getting started. The team look ahead to what is set to be an unprecedented summer transfer window and the names that could shake up the WSL.
TIMECODES
00:06 - Ellen, Jen and Ben are together for the last time this season!
03:30 - Reaction to England’s 4-0 defeat in Spain, which cost them automatic qualification
12:20 - Georgia Stanway and Beth Mead post-match interviews after their 3-0 win against Ukraine.
14:45 - Ellen and Jen evaluate the league stage of the Women's European qualifiers with only four direct qualification spots.
22:25 - Scotland finish top of their group after two wins over Israel.
24:30 - Just the seven goals for captain Caroline Weir during this international break!
29:15 - Claire Emslie chats to BBC Scotland’s Brian McLauchlin after being back in a Scotland jersey for the first time since giving birth.
34:20 - Erin Cuthbert has returned to Chelsea for "a short period of rehabilitation”.
36:50 - A round of up Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland’s progress.
39:45 - WSL transfer chat including Katie McCabe to Chelsea.

Ben Haines and Em Sanders are back at St. George’s Park for the final time this season as England prepare for their next World Cup qualifying games, knowing they can seal a place at next summer's World Cup finals in Brazil if they avoid defeat against Spain on Friday.
Whilst Em was on press conference duties, Ben had the chance to sit down with two of the Lionesses rising stars, Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall and London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey.
Ben chats to the duo about their time within the England environment over the past year, to Lucia about her experience of playing against Spain’s midfield stars back in April, to Freya about her mindset as she patiently waits for her first senior international cap, and from a player perspective, what it’s like to see so many huge names linked with moves to the WSL this summer.
Plus, Em and Ben look back at the FA Cup final as Manchester City secured their first ever domestic double and Em gives us a quick fire run down of the transfer window so far in what is set to be a blockbuster summer.
Live commentary of Spain v England from Mallorca Son Moix Stadium will be on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Friday 5th June, kick off is at 8pm with all the build up from 7pm.
TIMECODES:
00:03 - Ben and Em are back at St. George’s Park, the home of England.
04:08 - Lucia Kendall and Freya Godfrey sit down with Ben.
12:03 - Lucia and Freya preview Spain v England on Friday and playing against some of the best in the world.
16:50 - Freya talks patience and her mindset as she waits for her first England cap.
19:40 - How will the Ukraine game be different for the Lionesses?
21:10 - What was their experience like at the World Sevens tournament in Brentford.
23:15 - Their thoughts on transfer rumours and the huge names being linked with moves to the WSL.
27:30 - Em and Ben reflect on Lucia and Freya’s interview.
29:20 - Reaction to Manchester City’s FA Cup final win against Brighton.
35:30 - Em’s quick fire transfer round up.

Ellen White and Jen Beattie are in the driving seat for an international break takeover with Ben on England duty at St. George's Park!
They look ahead to England's crucial World Cup qualifiers, with the Lionesses knowing that they can seal a place in Brazil next summer if they avoid defeat against Spain on Friday. Plus, they look ahead to Scotland's double-header against Israel, which will be played behind closed doors in Hungary.
And fresh from signing a two-year contract extension, Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson joins the pod. She talks to Ellen and Jen about the importance of family values within the Wales squad, the benefits of the longer international windows and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the FAW.
Live commentary of Spain v England, live from Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, is on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Friday 5th June, kick off is 8pm.
TIMECODES:
00:10 - It’s takeover Tuesday with Ellen and Jen
00:50 - Ellen and Jen look ahead to Spain v England
06:50 - Preview of Scotland’s double header against Israel behind closed doors.
08:35 - Claire Emslie is back Scotland, five months on from giving birth.
16:35 - Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson joins the pod.

All eyes will be on Wembley this Sunday as Brighton & Hove Albium take on Manchester City in the final of the Women's FA Cup.
The fixture brings a close to the domestic season and our reporters Em Sanders and Maz Farookhi have been chatting to members of both squads ahead of the showpiece event.
Maz caught up with Brighton and Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to chat about her first season in England, making history with the club and her special connection with the fans. Plus US forward Madison Haley, who has played a key role in getting the team to Wembley with her goals throughout the competition, chats to Maz about her brilliant form, connection with her teammates and just how nice it would be to end the trophy with some silverware.
Manchester City will be hoping to complete a domestic double after lifting their first WSL title in a decade a couple of weeks ago. Em Sanders also went over to their training ground to chat to German midfielder Sydney Lohmann about her first season in England, the challenges she's faced both on and off the pitch and adding finishing the season with a flourish.
Live commentary of the Women's FA Cup final can be heard on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday 31st May, kick off is at 3pm.
TIMECODES:
01:00 - Chiamaka Nnadozie interview.
08:11 - Madison Haley interview
19:17 - Sydney Lohmann interview

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines unpack another week of huge headlines in the world of women’s football!
The team start with the news that Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has signed a new four-year contract with the club, just days after it looked like she would be leaving the Women's Super League champions this summer.
It was a weekend of finals as Charlton Athletic gained promotion to the WSL for the first time, beating Leicester City in a penalty shootout. Ellen and Jen discuss Sophie Whitehouse’s penalty heroics and what relegation means for Leicester.
Just days after captaining Barcelona to their fourth Champions League title, Alexia Putellas has announced she is leaving the club after 14 seasons. The team give their immediate reactions to the news and reflect on the final itself as Ewa Pajor and Salma Paralluelo scored two goals each to seal emphatic Barca win over Lyon.

Plus, the domestic season comes to an end at Wembley this weekend with Manchester City and Brighton fighting for the last piece of silverware in the FA Cup final. Will it be a domestic double for City or a historic win for the Seagulls? Full commentary of this game will be on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday 31st May, kick off is at 3pm.

TIMECODES
00:10 - Ellen, Jen and Ben are all in the same country!
03:00 - Bunny Shaw signs a new deal with Manchester City after a contract u-turn.
09:55 - Charlton Athletic gain promotion to the WSL for the first time in their history.
14:50 - What does this now mean for Leicester City?
17:20 - Sophie Whitehouse's penalty masterclass.
20:44 - Amalie Thestrup chats to Mark Chapman.
23:55 - Ewa Pajor stars as Barcelona win their fourth Champions League title.
32:00 - Alexia Putellas is leaving Barcelona after 14 seasons at the club.
35:40 - Preview of the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Brighton.