BBC Women's Football Weekly

BBC Radio 5 Live
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Whether you're a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women's game, BBC Women's Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week. Ben Haines teams up with England's record goalscorer Ellen White and former Scotland international Jen Beattie to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women's Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women's Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women's Super League and national teams. Subscribe now to get every episode as soon as it drops and stay in the know with the latest from the world of women's football. Plus, listen to classic episodes of Jill Scott's Coffee Club, where Jill sits down with players for honest, off-the-pitch conversations over a coffee.

  1. 1 day ago

    Media Day Diaries: Inside Arsenal

    Ben Haines is taking the podcast on the road and visiting as many clubs as possible before the 2026/27 WSL season gets underway. First up, we’re down at the Arsenal training centre with a dream 5-a-side line up. Ben catches up with two of Arsenal’s new recruits, England midfielder Georgia Stanway and Spanish full-back Ona Batlle. Georgia talks about first day nerves, becoming a Londoner and how she grew over her time in Munich, and Ona chats about her development at Barcelona, making new connections and the challenge of being back in the WSL. Two of Arsenal’s leaders at the back, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Steph Catley, also join Ben. Lotte reflects on her summer break, her personal evolution and those she brings on the journey with her, and Steph opens up about setting standards, club values and despite being on the other side of the world, Arsenal feeling like home. Last but not least, head coach Renée Slegers sits down with Ben to talk about getting their transfer business done early, her rousing team talks and the club’s bold ambitions for the season. TIMECODES: 00:03 - Ben Haines is taking the pod on the road, starting in London Colney. 01:30 - Georgia Stanway interview. 11:50 - Ona Batlle interview. 21:40 - Lotte Wubben-Moy interview. 33:16 - Steph Catley interview. 42:55 - Renée Slegers interview.

    Media Day Diaries: Inside Arsenal

  2. 2 days ago

    Alexia Putellas: Leaving Barcelona, leadership and a new life in London

    Widely regarded as one of the biggest signings in WSL history, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas sits down with Ben Haines and Em Sanders at the London City Lionesses media day. Putellas left Barcelona after 14 years in May and chats to Ben and Em about a whirlwind few weeks after moving to London and whether she has personally been aware of the hype around her transfer to the Women's Super League. Alexia opens up about being called ‘La Reina’, embracing change and after winning 38 trophies with Barcelona, including four Champions League titles, how she will adapt to being an underdog with her new team. Ben and Em also chat to the Spanish superstar about learning a new language, her leadership on the pitch and give her a brief introduction to English food culture. TIMECODES: 00:04 - Ben and Em are reunited at the London City Lionesses media day 03:36 - Alexia Putellas joins the pod! 04:06 - How have the last few weeks been for her. 06:05 - Is she aware of her status and the huge interest around her transfer. 09:03 - On enjoying everything since her ACL and embracing change. 10:55 - On being called ‘La Reina’ and being a coach on the pitch. 13:50 - Visits to London and leaving Barcelona. 15:50 - How hard will it be to adapt to being an underdog at London City Lionesses. 17:25 - Learning English and communicating on the pitch. 20:45 - On pre-season with her new teammates so far. 21:40 - What does she miss about Barcelona and what has she liked so far about London. 23:12 - Ben and Em gift Alexia ‘welcome to England’ starter pack. 26:10 - Ben and Em reflect on their time with Alexia.

    Alexia Putellas: Leaving Barcelona, leadership and a new life in London

  3. 10 Jun

    Lionesses bound for play-offs as WSL braces for summer transfer shake up!

    Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are together for the final time this season to react to the June international break which saw England miss out on automatic qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Ellen and Jen reflect on that one crucial defeat to world champions Spain in Mallorca, which ultimately cost the Lionesses top spot in League A3, and evaluate the new European qualifying process with only four direct qualification spots at the end of the league phase. Scotland finished top of group B4 after back-to-back wins against Israel. Jen praises captain Caroline Weir for her performances in both games, plus we hear from Claire Emslie who has spoken to BBC Radio Scotland after being back with the national team for the first time since giving birth to her son Jamie in December. And with the curtain falling on the 2025/26 season, the summer transfer window is only just getting started. The team look ahead to what is set to be an unprecedented summer transfer window and the names that could shake up the WSL. TIMECODES 00:06 - Ellen, Jen and Ben are together for the last time this season! 03:30 - Reaction to England’s 4-0 defeat in Spain, which cost them automatic qualification 12:20 - Georgia Stanway and Beth Mead post-match interviews after their 3-0 win against Ukraine. 14:45 - Ellen and Jen evaluate the league stage of the Women's European qualifiers with only four direct qualification spots. 22:25 - Scotland finish top of their group after two wins over Israel. 24:30 - Just the seven goals for captain Caroline Weir during this international break! 29:15 - Claire Emslie chats to BBC Scotland’s Brian McLauchlin after being back in a Scotland jersey for the first time since giving birth. 34:20 - Erin Cuthbert has returned to Chelsea for "a short period of rehabilitation”. 36:50 - A round of up Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland’s progress. 39:45 - WSL transfer chat including Katie McCabe to Chelsea.

  4. 3 Jun

    Extra: Inside England with Freya Godfrey and Lucia Kendall

    Ben Haines and Em Sanders are back at St. George’s Park for the final time this season as England prepare for their next World Cup qualifying games, knowing they can seal a place at next summer's World Cup finals in Brazil if they avoid defeat against Spain on Friday. Whilst Em was on press conference duties, Ben had the chance to sit down with two of the Lionesses rising stars, Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall and London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey. Ben chats to the duo about their time within the England environment over the past year, to Lucia about her experience of playing against Spain’s midfield stars back in April, to Freya about her mindset as she patiently waits for her first senior international cap, and from a player perspective, what it’s like to see so many huge names linked with moves to the WSL this summer. Plus, Em and Ben look back at the FA Cup final as Manchester City secured their first ever domestic double and Em gives us a quick fire run down of the transfer window so far in what is set to be a blockbuster summer. Live commentary of Spain v England from Mallorca Son Moix Stadium will be on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Friday 5th June, kick off is at 8pm with all the build up from 7pm. TIMECODES: 00:03 - Ben and Em are back at St. George’s Park, the home of England. 04:08 - Lucia Kendall and Freya Godfrey sit down with Ben. 12:03 - Lucia and Freya preview Spain v England on Friday and playing against some of the best in the world. 16:50 - Freya talks patience and her mindset as she waits for her first England cap. 19:40 - How will the Ukraine game be different for the Lionesses? 21:10 - What was their experience like at the World Sevens tournament in Brentford. 23:15 - Their thoughts on transfer rumours and the huge names being linked with moves to the WSL. 27:30 - Em and Ben reflect on Lucia and Freya’s interview. 29:20 - Reaction to Manchester City’s FA Cup final win against Brighton. 35:30 - Em’s quick fire transfer round up.

    Extra: Inside England with Freya Godfrey and Lucia Kendall

  5. 2 Jun

    Takeover Tuesday with Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson!

    Ellen White and Jen Beattie are in the driving seat for an international break takeover with Ben on England duty at St. George's Park! They look ahead to England's crucial World Cup qualifiers, with the Lionesses knowing that they can seal a place in Brazil next summer if they avoid defeat against Spain on Friday. Plus, they look ahead to Scotland's double-header against Israel, which will be played behind closed doors in Hungary. And fresh from signing a two-year contract extension, Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson joins the pod. She talks to Ellen and Jen about the importance of family values within the Wales squad, the benefits of the longer international windows and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the FAW. Live commentary of Spain v England, live from Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, is on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Friday 5th June, kick off is 8pm. TIMECODES: 00:10 - It’s takeover Tuesday with Ellen and Jen 00:50 - Ellen and Jen look ahead to Spain v England 06:50 - Preview of Scotland’s double header against Israel behind closed doors. 08:35 - Claire Emslie is back Scotland, five months on from giving birth. 16:35 - Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson joins the pod.

  6. 29 May

    Extra: The big FA Cup Final preview

    All eyes will be on Wembley this Sunday as Brighton & Hove Albium take on Manchester City in the final of the Women's FA Cup. The fixture brings a close to the domestic season and our reporters Em Sanders and Maz Farookhi have been chatting to members of both squads ahead of the showpiece event. Maz caught up with Brighton and Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to chat about her first season in England, making history with the club and her special connection with the fans. Plus US forward Madison Haley, who has played a key role in getting the team to Wembley with her goals throughout the competition, chats to Maz about her brilliant form, connection with her teammates and just how nice it would be to end the trophy with some silverware. Manchester City will be hoping to complete a domestic double after lifting their first WSL title in a decade a couple of weeks ago. Em Sanders also went over to their training ground to chat to German midfielder Sydney Lohmann about her first season in England, the challenges she's faced both on and off the pitch and adding finishing the season with a flourish. Live commentary of the Women's FA Cup final can be heard on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday 31st May, kick off is at 3pm. TIMECODES: 01:00 - Chiamaka Nnadozie interview. 08:11 - Madison Haley interview 19:17 - Sydney Lohmann interview

    Extra: The big FA Cup Final preview

  7. 26 May

    Bunny Shaw stays, Alexia Putellas leaves and Charlton are promoted!

    Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines unpack another week of huge headlines in the world of women’s football! The team start with the news that Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has signed a new four-year contract with the club, just days after it looked like she would be leaving the Women's Super League champions this summer. It was a weekend of finals as Charlton Athletic gained promotion to the WSL for the first time, beating Leicester City in a penalty shootout. Ellen and Jen discuss Sophie Whitehouse’s penalty heroics and what relegation means for Leicester. Just days after captaining Barcelona to their fourth Champions League title, Alexia Putellas has announced she is leaving the club after 14 seasons. The team give their immediate reactions to the news and reflect on the final itself as Ewa Pajor and Salma Paralluelo scored two goals each to seal emphatic Barca win over Lyon. Plus, the domestic season comes to an end at Wembley this weekend with Manchester City and Brighton fighting for the last piece of silverware in the FA Cup final. Will it be a domestic double for City or a historic win for the Seagulls? Full commentary of this game will be on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday 31st May, kick off is at 3pm. TIMECODES 00:10 - Ellen, Jen and Ben are all in the same country! 03:00 - Bunny Shaw signs a new deal with Manchester City after a contract u-turn. 09:55 - Charlton Athletic gain promotion to the WSL for the first time in their history. 14:50 - What does this now mean for Leicester City? 17:20 - Sophie Whitehouse's penalty masterclass. 20:44 - Amalie Thestrup chats to Mark Chapman. 23:55 - Ewa Pajor stars as Barcelona win their fourth Champions League title. 32:00 - Alexia Putellas is leaving Barcelona after 14 seasons at the club. 35:40 - Preview of the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Brighton.

  8. 19 May

    Big name departures, Man City celebrate, and a blockbuster Saturday

    The Women's Super League season has been wrapped up and Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are here to unpack it all. They start by looking at some of the players who were key to Manchester City's first title in a decade, plus reflect on an emotional final day of the WSL as we watched some iconic figures represent their clubs for one last time. The 2025-26 WSL Football Awards also took place on Monday night and the team give their verdict on the winners. We hear from England manager Sarina Wiegman who has been chatting to Em Sanders after naming her England squad for the final two 2027 Women’s World Cup European qualifiers. Plus, it's a blockbuster day of football on Saturday! Charlton and Leicester City will compete to determine who gets the final spot in the newly expanded WSL for the 2026/27 season and European giants Lyon and Barcelona meet in the Champions League final. TIMECODES: 02:05 - Who were the key players in Manchester City’s WSL title win? 07:30 - Round up of results on the final day of the season. 08:40 - More big departures across the league, starting with Katie McCabe. 13:50 - Sam Kerr departs Chelsea and Gemma Bonner leaves Liverpool. 16:15 - Big characters and leaders leaving the WSL. 20:15 - Our verdict on the 2025/26 WSL Football Awards. 26:55 - Sarina Wiegman on the latest Lionesses squad announcement. 34:23 - Charlton take on Leicester in a winner-takes-all WSL play-off. 39:55 - Barcelona and Lyon meet in the Champions League final.

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Whether you're a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women's game, BBC Women's Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week. Ben Haines teams up with England's record goalscorer Ellen White and former Scotland international Jen Beattie to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women's Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women's Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women's Super League and national teams. Subscribe now to get every episode as soon as it drops and stay in the know with the latest from the world of women's football. Plus, listen to classic episodes of Jill Scott's Coffee Club, where Jill sits down with players for honest, off-the-pitch conversations over a coffee.

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