This week in women’s football, we bring you an exclusive look into the journey of Moroccan international Samya Hassani and her new, independent club in the Netherlands, Hera United. We also dive into a preview of the 2025/26 Australian A-League Women season, focusing on the top teams from last year. To round it off, we’ll catch you up on the results from the CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage.
The key takeaways include the rise of independent women’s clubs, providing more stability and resources for players outside the traditional men’s club structure. In Australia, the A-League is preparing for an exciting season, though it faces challenges with one club suspending operations. Meanwhile, international club competitions like the CONCACAF W Champions Cup continue to grow, pitting the best teams from North and Central America against each other.
🎤 Samya Hassani on Her Groundbreaking Club
Moroccan international forward Samya Hassani (25) shared her experience of joining Hera United, the only independent women’s club in the top Dutch league. The team was formed after her previous club, Telstar, decided to stop its women’s football program. Hassani explained that while the transition was chaotic, the move to Hera United has been a positive one. Players now have their own dedicated facilities and don’t have to share training spaces with a men’s team, bringing a sense of stability and relief to the squad. This move highlights a growing trend of creating women-only clubs, which can offer a more focused environment for players. Hassani, who has also played in Belgium and Turkey, is focused on her career with Hera United and hopes her performance will earn her a call-up back to the Moroccan national team.
🇦🇺 A-League Season Preview: The Top Contenders
The 2025/26 A-League Women season is just around the corner, and this preview looks at the six teams that made it to the playoffs last year. However, there’s some tough news as Western United, a strong performer in recent years, has been suspended for the season due to severe financial problems. Their absence will surely be felt in the league, which now features 11 teams. The season will also include a two-week break from late February to mid-March to accommodate the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be hosted in Australia.
🏆 Team News and Key Players to Watch
Reigning champions Melbourne City are looking strong again after an undefeated regular season last year. They have made a major signing in Nigerian international forward Chinaza Uchendu to boost their attack. Their biggest rivals, Melbourne Victory, have also strengthened their squad, bringing in experienced midfielder Rhianna Pollicina from Melbourne City and American striker Kennedy White. The club also celebrated the career of legendary goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who has retired from playing but will continue in a coaching role. Other teams like Adelaide United and last season’s surprise champions Central Coast Mariners have also been active, with Adelaide bringing back key goal-scorers and the Mariners retaining playoff hero Isabel Gomez.
🌎 CONCACAF W Champions Cup Update
The group stage of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, a tournament for top clubs in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, has concluded. The four semifinalists are a mix of teams from the NWSL (USA) and Liga MX Femenil (Mexico). In Group A, Mexico’s Club America and Pachuca advanced, while in Group B, the NWSL’s Washington Spirit and Gotham FC moved on. The semifinals will see Club America take on Gotham FC, and the Washington Spirit will face Pachuca. Nigerian forward Chinwendu Ihezuo of Pachuca was the top scorer in the group stage with five goals. The tournament is a great showcase of the talent in the region, though some matches have seen low attendance, indicating there is still work to be done in promoting women’s club competitions.
