BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and Ellen starts by telling us about an exciting new job role. Joined by Em Sanders, the team react to Sarina Wiegman’s two-year contract extension with England and unveil the inaugural ‘Golden Goggles’ award for the best celebration of the week!

There’s a WSL debrief focusing on the standout performances of Lauren James, Daniëlle van de Donk, and Océane Hurtré so far this season. Plus, we look at the big talking points ahead of this weekend’s derby games in North London and Manchester.

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Katie Smith is joined by former England goalkeeper, Rachel Brown-Finnis, and 5 Live commentator Vicki Sparks to react to England’s 5-0 win (8-1 on aggregate) over Greece which sees them progress to round two of the Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs.

After lacking a clinical edge in the first-leg, the Lionesses were far more ruthless at home, plus we saw two more debuts for Lexi Potter and Freya Godfrey.

The team discuss whether Sarina Wiegman has become more tactically flexible when it comes to her starting XI and whether Maya Le Tissier’s standout performances at right-back have posed the question: can both she and Lucy Bronze start for the national team?

Plus, Rob Schofield is down in the tunnel to get reaction from Alessia Russo, Grace Fisk and Sarina Wiegman.

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Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and this week they’re joined by England legend and Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby!

Together, the trio look back on England’s 3-1 victory against Greece in the first-leg of their World Cup play-off semi-final - from debutants and Maya Le Tissier impressing at right-back to asking how the Lionesses can become more ruthless in front of goal. Vicki Sparks also chats to Keira Walsh and Sarina Wiegman ahead of the second leg on Tuesday evening at the King Power stadium in Leicester.

Elsewhere across the international break, there were away wins for Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in their play-off games, as well as a welcome return to the field for Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert.

Fran also gives us an insight into life at Brighton under new boss Arturo Ruiz before previewing some crucial fixtures across the WSL this weekend.

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Ellen White is back at St. George’s Park, alongside BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie, for a Lionesses special ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off games against Greece.

Ellen sits down with Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan to discuss finding consistency in the England starting XI, how the NWSL season has prepared her for these crucial international games, and we of course get an update on Biscuit the cat!

Plus, Jo chats to England’s exciting new midfield talents in the press conference, Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson.

Full commentary of England v Greece is on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. The first leg is a 5:30pm kick-off on Friday 9th October.

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As we reach the first international break of the season, Ellen White is joined by BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie and the Telegraph’s Women’s Football reporter Kathryn Batte to provide a half term review of the Women’s Super League.

Five games in, Manchester City remain the team to beat and Arsenal’s struggles continue. The team discuss if the reigning champions can keep their momentum going and are the problems deeper than on the pitch at Arsenal who sit 10th, 10 points adrift of the league leaders.

Jo also asks if London City Lionesses have lived up to the hype given their big summer transfer window and puts Ellen and Kathryn to the test in a quick fire round assessing each club’s performance so far.

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Ben and Ellen are joined by Em Sanders to dissect a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea claimed bragging rights over Arsenal.

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Ben Haines and Ellen White are together in the studio to break down a big weekend of domestic action and preview the return of European football!

First up, the team react to Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL campaign and Lauren Hemp’s current form, before diving into Tottenham’s dominant victory over 10-player Crystal Palace. Attention then turns to Manchester United taking a massive step forward under Eva Olid against Arsenal, with special praise for their standout summer signing, Andrea Medina.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League returns this week! Ben and Ellen discuss which WSL side faces the toughest draw in the league phase and whether any English team has done enough in the transfer market to bridge the gap to European royalty, Barcelona and Lyon.

Plus, Chelsea star Alyssa Thompson sits down with Em Sanders to discuss her second season in London and Chelsea's European ambitions, and Bethan Woolley, Head of Women & Girls’ Football at the FAW, joins the pod to react to the huge news that Cardiff will host the 2029 UWCL final.

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London City Lionesses owner and businesswoman Michele Kang joins The Football Interview to discuss her ambitious vision for women's football, from transforming London City Lionesses and signing global stars to building world-class facilities for female athletes.

Michele chats to Kelly Somers about her upbringing in South Korea, how she ended up investing in women's football and her ultimate desire to close the 'indefensible' gap between girls and boys.

Ben Haines and Ellen White are back! First up, they dissect Arsenal’s frustrating goalless draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Despite dominating possession, the Gunners failed to find a clinical edge in front of goal - what could dropping early points mean for their title charge? Ellen and Ben also react to Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL season.

Former England and Manchester United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod as the team take a deep dive into the rise of club and confederation-funded fertility care, IVF assistance, and egg-freezing options. Ellen and Siobhan examine how far the sport has progressed since their playing days and how increased fertility support and knowledge benefits players on and off the pitch.

Siobhan also gives her thoughts on Manchester United’s transition period under new head coach Eva Olid, before the team react to the newly revealed 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist. With stars like Alessia Russo and Bunny Shaw in the mix, can a WSL player finally conquer Barcelona’s dominance over the award?

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Burnley manager Jackie Bachteler sat down with Emma Sanders to talk about contracting sepsis and how nine months ago she was fighting for her life.

The American had just joined the club to work with the women's first team and men's academy but three weeks later, Bachteler was rushed to A&E and diagnosed with sepsis - a life-threatening illness that left her bedridden for days.

Jackie talks very honestly about how it took her months to recover and she still suffers from regular post-sepsis symptoms today.

Burnley host Sunderland in the WSL2 on Sunday which coincides with World Sepsis Day.