Arsenal Women win the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup, beating Corinthians 3-2 after extra time in London

Summary

Arsenal Women became the inaugural winners of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup on 1 February 2026, defeating Brazil's Corinthians Feminino 3-2 after extra time at Emirates Stadium in London before an attendance of 25,031. Olivia Smith put Arsenal ahead, Corinthians equalized, then Lotte Wubben-Moy restored the lead, Corinthians leveled again to force extra time. Australia winger Caitlin Foord struck in the 104th minute to settle the final. The competition brought together continental club champions from FIFA's six confederations. Arsenal entered as English Women's Super League title-holders and competed as the UEFA Women's Champions League representative. The victory gives Womens Sport its first standalone FIFA-organised global club final for women's teams.

The split

UK and European media focused on Arsenal's domestic and continental consistency, framing their win as evidence of the sustained growth of English women's football since the UEFA Women's EURO 2022. Brazilian media covered Corinthians' run as the first South American side to reach a women's global club final, with Globo Esporte noting the significance for the expanding professional structure in Brazil. Australian outlets highlighted Foord's 104th-minute winner. Latin American women's football analysts pointed to Corinthians as proof that South American clubs can compete with European champions at global level. FIFA coverage emphasised that a 25,031-attendance final at a top-tier stadium validated the commercial model for the new competition.

By the numbers

• 3-2 aet, final scoreline
• 104th minute, Caitlin Foord's winning goal
• 25,031, attendance at Emirates Stadium, London
• 1st edition of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup (inaugural)
• Continental representatives from all six FIFA confederations competed

Why it matters

The FIFA Women's Champions Cup is FIFA's primary mechanism for establishing women's club football within a global competition structure comparable to the men's Club World Cup. A sold-out Arsenal Stadium and a competitive three-goal final in the inaugural edition provides early commercial proof of concept. Broadcast deals for the new competition contribute to the Media Rights pricing benchmark for women's club football. Arsenal's win also positions their brand as the first women's global club champions, with significant sponsorship and licensing implications.

What to watch

• FIFA's broadcast and commercial revenue figures from the first edition
• Format decisions for the 2027 Women's Champions Cup
• Corinthians' trajectory in South American women's football after reaching the final
• Whether attendance and streaming numbers grow in the second edition