The players of Gotham FC have voiced their frustrations regarding the scheduling of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. This outcry follows the team’s recent loss to Brazil's Corinthians in the semifinals, held on January 28, 2026.
Gotham, a New York-based club that earned its spot in this prestigious event by clinching the first Concacaf Champions Cup, faced a tough defeat with a score of 1-0 against the South American champions in London. This match marked Gotham's first competitive outing since celebrating their NWSL championship victory on November 22, as the upcoming NWSL season is set to commence only on March 13.
When questioned about her thoughts on an intercontinental event being held in January, during the offseason for the NWSL, Gotham defender Jess Carter expressed her dissatisfaction, stating, "Absolutely not. I don’t think anyone is happy about it, but honestly, I'm not sure when else it could be scheduled."
Carter elaborated on the challenges posed by this scheduling, highlighting the players’ need for adequate rest after a grueling year filled with competitions and international travel: "You’re asking players to shorten their offseasons just after they’ve been through so much. We come in with very limited time off and are expected to perform again immediately."
The women’s Champions Cup has been established as an international championship for women’s club teams, reflecting the rise of regional tournaments, particularly inspired by the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Additionally, FIFA is planning to launch a 16-team Women’s Club World Cup in 2028, which will occur every four years. In contrast, the Champions Cup is scheduled to take place annually, except for the years designated for the Club World Cup.
The increasing number of competitions and their duration has ignited discussions about the strain placed on elite female athletes. Carter expressed concern over the mounting demands, noting, "Currently, there are simply too many games added to the women's game, and it's unrealistic to expect everyone to handle this workload."
She further urged those in charge to prioritize player welfare, saying, "We all want to compete at the highest level and provide top-notch entertainment, but we can only achieve that if we’re all in peak condition, and that applies to every women's match."
During the match against Corinthians, Gotham faced additional setbacks as two players suffered injuries. Gabi Portilho received medical attention after sustaining a blow to her right foot and was forced to leave the pitch early in the second half. Team captain Rose Lavelle also exited the game during stoppage time due to what was later identified as concussion-like symptoms, leading to her placement in concussion protocol.
The only goal of the semifinal came from Corinthians' captain Gabi Zanotti, who found the net in the 82nd minute, overcoming Gotham’s goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger, who is also a German international. Berger remarked on the need for improved systems to ensure players enter such competitions fully fit, emphasizing the importance of facing the best teams at the right times.
As for the next steps, Corinthians will go head-to-head with Arsenal, the UEFA Champions League winners, following their resounding 6-0 victory over Africa's AS FAR in the other semifinal. Meanwhile, Gotham is set to compete against the Moroccan side in a third-place playoff, both matches slated for Sunday.
This situation raises important questions: Are the demands on women players becoming too excessive? How can organizers better balance competition schedules without compromising player health and performance? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter—do you agree with the players, or do you see the scheduling as necessary for growth in women’s sports?
