Concacaf will launch its first-ever continental competition for women’s club teams, with three NWSL teams set to participate.
The Concacaf W Champions Cup, announced on Tuesday, will involve 11 teams from across the region, with play beginning in August 2024.
Theo Lloyd-Hughes was first to report the tournament’s details, including what countries will be represented this summer. The NWSL and Liga MX Femenil will each claim three places in the group stage, while the domestic leagues of Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Panama will all have one team in the mix.
A preliminary clash between the top team from Canada and El Salvador will determine who gets the tenth group-stage place.
BREAKING: 🏆Concacaf launches international women's club tournament: W Champions Cup
The inaugural 11-team edition will take place in Aug. 2024, with a draw being held in June.
Entries:
🇸🇻🇨🇦: 1 club each in Prelims
🇵🇦🇯🇲🇨🇷: 1 club each in Groups
🇺🇸🇲🇽: 3 clubs in Groups— Theo Lloyd-Hughes (@theolloydhughes) March 12, 2024
At the time of publication, NWSL had not announced which teams would represent the league in the tournament. NJ/NY Gotham FC is the defending NWSL champion, while the San Diego Wave claimed the NWSL Shield (awarded to the regular-season champion). The North Carolina Courage won the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup.
Per Concacaf, the group stage will consist of two groups of five, with every team facing the other sides in the group once (two at home, two away).
The top two teams from each group will advance to the elimination round, which will be “a final four centralized event played in May.”
“Launching the Concacaf W Champions Cup is a very exciting next step on our journey of developing all aspects of women’s football in our region,” said Concacaf president Victor Montagliani in a press release.
Montagliani noted that the winner would be primed to represent Concacaf at FIFA’s planned Women’s Club World Cup (an event first reported by The Athletic in January).
“The W Champions Cup will provide a tremendous sporting opportunity for clubs in Concacaf, and we look forward to the first edition commencing in August this year, to crowning a first champion in May 2025, and to delivering an exciting pathway to the new FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.”
[lawrence-related id=51675,51666,49130]