Arsenal’s Champions League form and a home final at the Emirates make them strong favorites; punters may back Arsenal to reach or win the final, while Gotham vs Corinthians projects as a tighter market—consider value on Corinthians or both teams to score in a close semifinal.
Inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup: Final Four Arrives in London
The first FIFA Women's Champions Cup reaches its climax in London as four continental champions meet for two semifinals, a third-place playoff and the final. The six-team competition brought together top clubs from each confederation; the final tournament format now features the last four teams in a high-stakes knockout window running through Feb. 1.
Teams and Qualification Paths
Arsenal (UEFA)
Arsenal qualified as UEFA’s representative after winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the second time, ending an 18-year wait since their first European crown in 2006. Hosting the final at the Emirates gives them a significant home advantage.
Gotham FC (CONCACAF)
Gotham earned their place by winning the 2025 NWSL Championship and then securing the CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup title, beating Tigres in the final after a knockout run that included a semifinal victory over Club América.
Corinthians (CONMEBOL)
Brazilian champions Corinthians clinched the domestic title and sealed a third straight Copa Libertadores crown in dramatic fashion, arriving in London in strong continental form.
ASFAR (CAF)
Morocco’s ASFAR, dominant domestically since 2015 and multiple-time Throne Cup winners, also lifted the CAF Women’s Champions League in recent editions and represent African club football with momentum.
Eliminated Sides
Oceania’s Auckland United and Asia’s Wuhan Jiangda reached earlier rounds but were knocked out before the semifinals. Both clubs received participation payments for the tournament.
Schedule, Venues and Logistics
Semifinal fixtures are set for Wednesday, Jan. 26: Gotham FC vs Corinthians at 12:30 p.m. GMT (7:30 a.m. ET) and Arsenal vs ASFAR at 6:00 p.m. GMT (1:00 p.m. ET).
The third-place playoff precedes the final on Feb. 1, with the final scheduled for 6:00 p.m. GMT (1:00 p.m. ET). Semifinals will be played at GTech Community Stadium, with the final staged at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium—removing a neutral-venue advantage and amplifying Arsenal’s home edge.
Prize Money and Stakes
The competition offers significant payouts: participating clubs eliminated early received $100,000, semifinal losers get $200,000, the runner-up takes $1 million and the winner earns $2.3 million—one of the largest single payouts in women’s club football to date.
Why the Venue Change Matters
The tournament was relocated to England to reduce travel strain on Arsenal during a congested domestic season, avoiding nine-hour transatlantic trips and limited recovery time. The decision concentrates preparation advantages with Arsenal and alters competitive balance in a tournament intended as a neutral showcase.
Match Previews
Gotham FC vs Corinthians
This encounter promises to be tightly contested. Gotham arrives from an NWSL calendar that differs from European seasons and have been training in Europe during their offseason; Corinthians bring Libertadores-winning momentum and technical Brazilian attacking play. Expect a competitive, open contest where counterattacks and finishing efficiency decide the outcome.
Arsenal vs ASFAR
Arsenal combine Champions League experience with a packed domestic campaign but gain a decisive home advantage by playing the final at the Emirates if they progress. ASFAR’s physicality and experience in African competition make them dangerous underdogs, but Arsenal are clear favorites to control possession and press for goals.
Betting Outlook and Markets to Watch
Arsenal’s home-field edge and recent continental success make them the logical favorite for match and tournament markets—backing Arsenal to reach the final or to win outright offers the clearest path for punters. Gotham vs Corinthians is a more balanced market: look for value in Corinthians upset odds, draw/second-half results, or both-teams-to-score lines. Consider match-specific markets (goal totals, both teams to score) where odds may be more generous than outright winners.
What’s at Stake Beyond Trophies
Beyond silverware and prize money, the inaugural Champions Cup is a strategic showcase for global women’s club football, testing calendars, travel logistics and venue neutrality. The tournament’s outcomes will influence future scheduling decisions and the perceived balance of power across confederations.
FIFA chief Infantino condemns 'unacceptable scenes' during AFCON final
Arsenal and Gotham FC are in the new FIFA Women's Champions Cup this week, but what's it all about?
Espn United Kingdom
