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Basketball

Key players to watch in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 

Photo taken from @usabasketball on instagram

The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup starts tomorrow as 16 teams aim for one title, World Champions. USA are reigning champions and there are many WNBA players featuring in this year’s competition: here are some players to watch. 

Australia: Jade Melbourne and Ezi Magbegor 

Melbourne and Magbegor both play for Seattle Storm in the WNBA where they currently sit bottom heading into the break after only winning eight games. Jade Melbourne plays as a guard and has spent three years in the top league after being drafted in 2022 becoming the 33rd pick, where she was picked up by Seattle Storm. This season, she is averaging 9.5 points per game, as well as 3.9 assists per game making her a player to watch for Australia from the WNBA. 

Ezi Magbegor was drafted in 2019, being the 12th pick and has six years experience in the WNBA. The forward-center player was a WNBA Champion in 2022, An All-Star in 2023 and in the All-defensive team four times. She has been with the Storm since her draft night and this season on average has 6.9 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and 1.8 assists per game making her a player to keep your eye on during the World Cup. 

Games (all in BST times): 

Australia vs Puerto Rico – Friday 4th at 10:30am 

Turkey vs Australia – Sunday 6th at 10:30am 

Belgium vs Australia – Monday 7th at 10:30am 

France: 

Leila Lacan and Carla Leite are two of France’s upcoming talents with this only being their third year in the WNBA, where both was picked one after another in the 2024 draft. Leila Lacan plays her basketball at Connecticut Sun where the Guard was picked 10th overall. Her averages this season are making her a player to watch this campaign after playing for a team out of play off contention. Her stats of 11.6 points per game and 4.6 assists per game are making the youngster an upcoming talent for the WNBA. 

Carla Leite has had a standout season so far for the new franchise, Portland Fire. After coming into the WNBA, she started with Dallas Wings before transferring to Golden State Valkyries in the Expansion Draft where she also spent last season. With 15.5 points per game average, she is becoming a young player to watch especially for a French side that is coming off a silver medal in the Olympics. 

Games (all in BST times):

Hungary vs France – Friday 4th at 8pm 

France vs South Korea – Saturday 5th at 7:45pm 

Nigeria vs France – Monday 7th at 1:30pm 

Spain: 

Rookie Awa Fam just joined the Seattle Storm side this season and is already having an impact for the squad. Her charm and play is improving match by match and hopes it reflects in the National team for the tournament. The 20 year old was picked third in this year’s draft behind Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles and is a Eurobasket Silver Medalist for Spain. She also became the youngest player to play for Valencia Basket at just 15 years old. The Center’s statistics are also impressive with an average of 10.6 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game making her a young player to watch statistics wise. 

Games (all in BST times): 

Spain vs Germany – Friday 4th at 4:45pm 

Mali vs Spain – Saturday 5th at 10:30am 

Japan vs Spain – Monday 7th at 4:50pm 

USA: 

Paige Bueckers is definitely not underrated but always a player to watch when a new tournament comes around. She was the number one pick last season for the Dallas Wings with the Guard only in her sophomore season in the WNBA. She was a WNBA All-Star two years in a row and was the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2025. This season alone, she is averaging 20.5 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 5.9 assists per game which is making her a player to watch as she hopes to get USA back to back Champions despite it being her first major tournament under the USA name. 

Games (all in BST times):

USA vs China – Friday 4th at 1:15pm 

Italy vs USA – Sunday 6th at 7:45pm 

USA vs Czech Republic – Monday 7th at 7:45pm 

Categories
WSL

West Ham hope for improved season with nine new additions

Image via @westhamwomen on Instagram

As the transfer window draws to a close, it’s no secret that West Ham have had one of the busiest summers in England with nine signings and ten outgoings to date. Within this, they’ve secured the signatures of a strong mix of experience and youth, adding to the already stacked squad.

In January, the club saw five new additions  as well as a manger to their squad and it has since become clear that Rita Guarino joined the side with a mission: to win.

Their first purchase of the summer came in the form of Katie Zelem from London City Lionesses. She spent the second half of the 25/26 season on loan to the club and is a proven leader, having captained Manchester United for five years. With the recent departure of Katrina Gorry, there’s a high likelihood that she will pick up this role once more whilst Claret & Blue.

Next came Constance Picaud, a France international goal keeper with experience in both the Champions league and on the international stage. The keeper amassed 8 clean sheets in 22 games last season and with the recent departure of Kinga Szemik, it seems like a move well fitted for the 28 year old.

A seemingly surprising announcement was revealed next with Laia Codina switching North London for East. The defender won the world cup with Spain in 2023 and has three champions league titles to her name – two with Barcelona and one with Arsenal. With a lack of playing time last season, Codina will be looking to become a regular starter for the Hammers side.

Nadine Riesen quickly became the club’s fourth summer signing, joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. The Swiss international joins after three years in Germany, even playing in the Champions League during her tenure and is likely to be first choice at right back after the recent injury to Tuva Hansen.

The Hammers next couple of signings looked slightly different in Sienna Wareing and niamh Peacock. The duo joined from Manchester United and Arsenal’s academies, and despite not having huge amounts of senior footballing experience, they have a good understanding of the English playing style so their moves are likely to be seamless, both proving as good additions to the West Ham squad.

Ebony Salmon switched one type of Claret and Blue for another this summer, making the move from Aston Villa to West ham earlier this year. The forward struggled to find her form last season, often featuring for the Villains from the bench so will be hoping for more regular game time in order to improve her performances in the season ahead.

Estelle Cascarino was thought to be leaving West Ham after the conclusion of her loan this summer, however she recently signed a three year deal with the Hammers, keeping her at the club until 2029. The 29 year old plays primarily as a centre back and has prior league experience at Manchester United in 2023. Her time at Juventus didn’t quite go to plan with a lack of opportunities over the past couple of years and she joins former teammate, Lia Walti in returning to the WSL this summer.

The club’s most recent signing saw Kelly Gago join the club from Everton after just 18 months in the North West. The striker scored a total of ten goals in her time at the club, but after missing several matches last season, the striker will be looking to improve her tally this year.

West Ham had an influx of player departures this summer, including captain and vice-captain duo, Katrina Gorry and Shelina Zadorsky. With Gorry taking time out of football and Zadorsky moving back to her home country, Canada to play, the club will be looking to newer  arrivals to fill their shoes this season, a massive jump from seasons prior.

Other departures saw striker, Shakiera Martinez join Tottenham Hotspur, Vereana Hanshaw and Camila Saez move to clubs overseas and both Jessie Stapleton and Jess Ziu both join Leicester City. Emily Taylor Brown also moved to AFC Wimbledon and Soraya Walsh joined Aberdeen in the SWPL.

West Ham’s transfer window has been a huge jump from previous seasons, and whilst there is lots of change within the squad, they got their business done early, putting themselves in the best possible position for the season ahead. Newcomers have had a full season to gel with the team and transfers saw all the replacements needed, so it’ll be interesting to see how the club shape up in the upcoming season.

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Uncategorized

Get to know Carlotta Wamser – Manchester City’s latest recruit.

PHOTO VIA: MANCITY.COM

WSL champions Manchester City have significantly boosted their defensive options by confirming the signing of defender Carlotta Wamser from Bayer Leverkusen.

The German international joins the Cityzens on a four-year deal, running until the summer of 2030. At just 22 years old, the left back was being chased by numerous clubs in Europe, including the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona; however, chose to put pen to paper with the English Champions.

She began her senior career at the age of 16, playing for SGS Essen, where in the 2020/21 season, at just 17, she was awarded the fans player of the season award. Following her breakout season, a move to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022 was orchestrated.

During her time there, she joined FC Köln on loan for the second half of the season in 23/24, recording 11 appearances and scoring once. Leverkusen snapped Wamser up in August of 2025 and, across the course of the season, featured 20 times scoring once, playing predominantly as a left back, whose defensive abilities caught various clubs’ attention.

Away from her club career, she has progressed through her nation’s age rankings in Germany from the under-17s to the senior side. Currently holding 14 international caps, “Calle”, as she’s known to her teammates, was a part of the Germany squad that reached the WEURO 2025 semi-finals in Switzerland.

Now joining Manchester City, the club confirmed she will wear the number 37 shirt, the same as she wore at Leverkusen. Wamser joins her international teammates Rebecca Knaak and Sydney Lohmann at the club, with whom she described herself as being an influence in her move to the champions.

Upon joining the club, she stated; “The English league is the best league in the world, and Manchester City are one of the best clubs in the world…I feel like I need the next step for my career, and I feel that I can develop as a player here very well. And I like the challenge as well, so I think it’s the perfect step for me right now to move to Manchester.” (Quotes via Manchester City).

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Uncategorized

A New Era at Manchester United: Rebuilding for the Future

Monica Jusu Bah signing

Image via @manutdwomen on Instagram

Manchester United are undergoing a significant period of change this summer, with the squad set to look markedly different ahead of the 2026/27 season. Manchester United kick-off their season away to London City Lionesses on Friday 4thSeptember. 

However, United will not only enter the new season without several pivotal and recognisable names, but they will also be without long-standing manager Marc Skinner. Skinner penned a deal for United in 2021, succeeding the club’s first manager Casey Stoney following her resignation.  In August, the club released a statement that Skinner would depart the club by mutual agreement. His departure has paved the way for the appointment of head coach, Eva Olid, who now faces the challenges of not only making her mark on the Women’s Super League but also overseeing significant changes at a club that was only established in 2018. 

Manchester United established their women’s team in 2018 and this summer has seen two of their inaugural players depart, leaving Ella Toone as the only remining player from the start of the club’s professional career. 

The first of these departures was Leah Galton. It was announced that Leah Galton would depart the club following the expiration of her contract. Galton made 171 appearances for the club throughout her time scoring 41 goals. She is the club’s second all-time leading goal scorer behind Ella Toone and the club’s leading WSL goal scorer. 

Galton was a part of the historic team who lifted the FA Cup in the 2023/24 season, as well as being a two-time FA Cup finalist. Galton will play a significant loss for United, not only through the attacking threat she provides but also through the experience she brought to the dressing room. Galton possessed a unique understanding of United’s development and identity and will leave a irreplaceable absence. Galton is currently a free agent and yet to sign for a club. 

Another significant loss for United is fellow inaugural squad member, Millie Turner. Turner’s role as centre back was essential to United’s success especially during their FA cup winning campaign in 2024. Like Galton, Turner’s absence will be most noticed off the pitch with her leadership and comradery leaving a noticeable void within the squad. 

This absence is reflected in her recent appointment as captain for the newly promoted Birmingham City, proving she is an established and influential leader in the WSL, qualities that defined her eight years at Manchester United. 

Other significant losses in defence include Hannah Blundell and Gabby George. Blundell joined United in 2021, signing from Emma Hayes’ Chelsea. She went on to make 95 appearances for the club despite spending the 24/25 season on maternity leave. In January 2026, Blundell signed for fellow WSL team Everton on loan for the remainder of the season and has now signed a permanent deal with the Toffees. 

George joined the team in 2023 from Everton and established herself as a versatile defender who could play both full-back and centre back, making 54 appearances in total. George has now signed a permanent deal with Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee. 

United have also lost Norwegian midfielder Lisa Naalsund to Birmingham City, and while the midfielder did not establish herself as a consistent first-team starter, she still provided valuable experience and flexibility in midfield. Her departure adds to the wider trend of established and experienced players leaving this summer. 

Academy player, Sienna Wareing has also left the club to join West Ham, signing her first professional contract. 

The final permanent departure and another serious absence for Manchester United is French attacker, Melvine Malard. Malard signed for United on a permeant deal after a loan spell there in the 2023/24 season. Malard has just come off her most successful season at the club, contributing 10 goals and 9 assists across all competitions. 

Her form this season naturally attracted interest, and with only a year remaining on her contract, United ultimately sold her to Chelsea for a reported fee of £800,000, a club record sale. 

This sale could arguably be the wisest long-term decision for the club, with future developments in this position holding greater value than holding onto a striker for a season before losing her for no money. Additionally, securing a substantial transfer fee allows the club to reinvest in the squad, giving an opportunity to explore and pursue younger attacking profiles.

Manchester United have also opted to send two young goalkeepers on loan. Kayla Rendell has joined WSL2 side Newcastle United, and academy graduate Safia Middleton-Patel has returned to Watford on loan after spending the back-half of 2023/24 season there. 

Both moves provide good opportunities for the goalkeepers giving them both regular, starting experiences that would have been difficult to achieve at United. This opportunity is giving them the perfect time to develop, allowing them to return to United better-equipped and ready to challenge for a first-team position. 

Despite these significant exits only three signing have been made for Manchester United’s new era.

 Arguably their most experienced signing comes in the form of goalkeeper, Janina Leitzig. Leitzig has signed a permanent deal from Leicester City, bring a wealth of WSL experience to the team with over 65 WSL appearances. 

Leitzig’s arrival is unlikely to be viewed as a permanent second-choice goalkeeper but instead will provide genuine competition for Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Competition for the number-one spot will strengthen both goalkeeper’s abilities overall enhancing Olid’s options in a crucial position. 

A further defensive signing come in the form of young left back, Andrea Medina. The 22-year-old is a versatile defender signing from Spanish side Atlético Madrid on a three-year deal until 2029. The defender won the Copa de la Reina with Atlético in 2023 and internationally won the U20 Women’s World Cup with Spain. While the defender is not set to make an immediate impact, she brings an impressive squad depth to the back line also acting as a long-term solution for Manchester United’s new era. 

Manchester United’s final signing arrives in the form of talented winger Monica Jusu Bah. The Swedish international signs from BK Hacken off the back of 16 goals and 8 assists last season. Jusu Bah has signed a permanent deal keeping her at the club until 2030. Jusu Bah given the opportunity, could be the perfect long-term solution for Malard’s absence in attack, yet how quickly she adapts to the fast-past nature of the WSL could be the defining factor in her success. 

Overall, Manchester United have undergone a major transformation this summer, both on and off the pitch. The arrival of Eva Olid is the perfect example of an attempt to establish a new identity for the team with her signings set to be built around versatility and long-term potential. 

However, the undoubtable question is will this short-term risk pay off this season or is it instead a ploy to set up for the future of the club. 

Categories
WSL

Manchester City undergo more exits than entries for 2026/27

Screenshot

Photo from @bethmead on Instagram

Manchester City have been flying under the radar with more players leaving than coming. Only two new signings will join the Sky Blues. Both being players who had large impacts against City while at their former clubs.

One retirement struck Man City, as Laura Coombs announced her retirement from football altogether. The 35-year-old has played for a wide range of clubs in England, having started her professional career in 2007 for Arsenal. Since then she has also played for Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Liverpool and finally Manchester City. A lasting impact was made throughout her career as a steady contributor in the midfield as she succeeded whenever she got called upon. Also playing for England, Coombs made appearances in two group stage matches during the 2023 World Cup, where England reaches the finals.

Four youngsters mark their exits from the club, each of which went on their own loans last season and look for more gametime and development as players.  Codie Thomas departs from her childhood club after spending over ten years at the club.  The move to Nottingham Forest will serve vital to her career, as the 19-year-old fullback struggled to compete against more experienced fullbacks such as Kerstin Casparij. Poppy Pritchard completed her move to Leicester City after a loans to Durham and Celtic last season. Pritchard has signed a three-year deal for the foxes.

Tara O’Hanlon also underwent two loans last season, spending the first half at Sunderland, and the latter half with teammate Pritchard at Celtic. O’Hanlon struggled to find her footing at Manchester City following a MCL tear, and a tear in her calf prior to the 2025/26 season. The young defender has joined Wolves having no senior appearances for Manchester City, hoping to have a more stable at Wolves. Lily Murphy has joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan after making 22 appearances for City since signing her professional contract in 2024.

Goalkeepers have made their exits from the club, with Eve Annets, Katie Startup and Khiara Keating leaving. Khiara Keating’s exit hits hard as she leaves with the expiration of her contract. Keating became City’s first-choice goalkeeper in 2023-24 as she won the WSL Golden Glove, but then struggled to fight for gametime against Ayaka Yamashita. The 22-year-old has also starred for her country, often being called up by Wiegman for England.

Katie Startup made her way into Man City’s squad as an emergency loan in the 2023/24 season coming from Everton, before joining on a permanent basis. This transfer means that Startup will hopefully increase her gametime as she joins Birmingham City. The final move from between the posts is Eve Annets’ loan to the Scottish WPL side Hibernian. Despite being signed with City for two seasons, Annets has yet to make an appearance for the club, having had gone on loan each season she’s spent at the club.

A centre back exit is from Naomi Layzell who has joined Everton on a season long loan, last season Layzell struggled to establish herself as a starting centre-back, having to face Knaack and Greenwood for the position. Consistent injury struggles also shortened her season with a hip surgery in December of 2025. Joining this exit is Spaniard Leila Ouahabi who has been a trusted player for Jergletz’ defence. With the conclusion of her contract, Ouahabi moves to the NWSL as she penned a three-year deal with Chicago Stars. The left-back spent four years at Manchester City and so, established herself as a regular starter for the club.

Undoubtably the name that has made the most headlines this transfer window is Kerolin Nicoli, who has left Manchester City for FC Barcelona with a record breaking fee of £1.28m, removing Arsenal’s fee for Olivia Smith from the top spot. Kerolin signed for City in January 2025 from the NWSL. Scoring 9 goals in 15 matches, Kerolin’s transfer will be noticed.

Two new signings both hail from London, with Beth Mead from Arsenal joining the frontline, and Chelsea’s Niamh Charles reinforcing the backline. Widely regarded as one of England’s best forwards, Mead pens a three-year deal, inevitably planning to make her mark on her new club. Mead’s perseverance and consistency has made her a country favourite, making her mark in Sarina Wiegman’s starting line-ups helping the Lionesses to European Championship triumph in 2022 and 2025.

Chelsea’s Niamh Charles has also has high levels of success with England internationally. Having won the WSL with Chelsea 5 times, Charles’ experience and versatility will come strongly into play. Held back by ankle issues, Charles struggled with game time last season, however her abilities do not only rely on defending as she scored a vital penalty in the 2025 Euros final, bringing the victory to England.

 

Overall, Manchester City are expected to make remaining signings, to cover for losses between the posts, as they currently have Cummings and Yamashita in the position.