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Hope rising for Bayelsa Queens as FIFA unveils qualification routes for inaugural Women’s Champions Cup
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership champions, Bayelsa Queens, stand on the brink of global history following FIFA’s confirmation of qualification routes for the maiden edition of the Women’s Champions Cup, which will be staged in 2026.
The new competition, approved by the FIFA Council in March 2025, is designed to bring together six continental champions in a battle for what will become the most prestigious club prize in women’s football.
Arsenal of England, Gotham FC of the United States, Auckland United of New Zealand and Wuhan Jiangda of China have already booked their places after emerging champions in Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia respectively.
The remaining two slots will be filled by the winners of the South American Libertadores Femenina in October and the CAF Women’s Champions League in November.
For Bayelsa Queens, who reclaimed the NWFL Premiership crown last season, the challenge is clear: they must conquer Africa to earn the honour of representing the continent at the world stage.
If they win the CAF Women’s Champions League later this year, they will host a decisive tie in December against the winner of the opening knockout fixture between Wuhan Jiangda and Auckland United.
Victory in that match would propel the Nigerian side into the semi-finals of the global competition, where they would face European champions Arsenal in what could be the biggest game of their history.
The tournament will culminate in a centralised final phase from late January to early February 2026, featuring semi-finals, a third-place match and the final itself.
Should Bayelsa Queens emerge as Africa’s representatives and advance past their first hurdle, they would be guaranteed a clash on the world stage that would not only elevate the club’s reputation but also stress the growing strength of Nigerian women’s football after Super Falcons 10th WAFCON title success.
FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026 Fixtures
Round 1
October 2025 (Date TBD)
Wuhan Jiangda v Auckland United FC
Round 2
December 2025 (Date TBD)
CAF champions v winner of Round 1
Final phase
28 January to 1 February 2026
Semi-final 1
Round 2 winner v Arsenal
Semi-final 2
Gotham FC v CONMEBOL champions
Third-place match
Runner-up of Semi-final 1 v Runner-up of Semi-final 2
Final
Winner of Semi-final 1 v Winner of Semi-final 2
