WSL 2025-26 Season Review: Best Players and Key Takeaways

There is little doubt that Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is the top striker globally. The Jamaica international ended her league season with two goals against West Ham, reaching 21 for the campaign and becoming the first WSL player to score over 20 goals in three different seasons, wrote Sophie Downey.

Khadija Shaw finished well ahead of the competition with 21 goals in 22 games. Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa shone for Manchester City, but Shaw made the key difference in front of goal, earning a third consecutive Golden Boot, wrote Tom Garry.

Khadija Shaw deserves the honor. With a third straight Golden Boot, 21 league goals, and a WSL title, her departure on a free transfer would be a huge loss for City, wrote Emillia Hawkins.

Khadija Shaw ended her injury-plagued spell, playing consistently and leading City to the title. She earned a third Golden Boot and the trophy City had lacked for 10 years, wrote Renuka Odedra.

Khadija Shaw is the league’s top scorer. Her ability to perform consistently, combined with strength, precision, and aerial prowess, makes her the world’s best striker. She also scored the fastest WSL hat-trick this season, wrote Réshma Rao.

Khadija Shaw is the obvious choice. Beyond 21 goals in 22 games, her movement, hold-up play, and defensive contributions make her arguably the world’s top center-forward, wrote Suzanne Wrack.

After Denmark’s early exit from the 2025 Euros, doubts arose about Andrée Jeglertz’s appointment as Manchester City manager. But following an opening loss to Chelsea, his team developed a dynamic, free-flowing style that silenced critics, wrote SD.

Andrée Jeglertz’s calm demeanor helped City manage a tense title race. He instilled belief in the squad that they would “find a way” to win, and secured the title despite a smaller budget than rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, wrote TG.

Andrée Jeglertz transformed City’s mentality and delivered the title in his first season, wrote EH.

Andrée Jeglertz inherited a team that frequently fell short but, through tactical adjustments, he maximized the talents of Vivianne Miedema and Yui Hasegawa, wrote RO.

Andrée Jeglertz guided City to their first WSL title since 2016, earning praise for changing the squad’s mentality and unity. City won all 11 home games and improved finishing on set pieces, wrote RR.

Andrée Jeglertz earned recognition for managing elite talent and fostering harmony, resulting in City’s first league title in 10 years. Martin Ho also excelled at Tottenham, wrote SW.

Oona Siren’s long-range volley for West Ham against London City Lionesses in March was a standout finish, with the Finland midfielder scoring her only goal of the campaign, wrote SD.

Jess Park’s swerving strike for Manchester United against London City Lionesses in February showcased her ability to cut inside and finish. Olivia Smith’s debut goal for Arsenal was also notable, wrote TG.

Olivia Smith, the first £1 million player in women’s football, impressed with her debut Arsenal goal against London City Lionesses in September, showcasing her run and finish, wrote EH.

Yuka Momiki’s long-range chip for Everton against Chelsea from over 30 yards was a textbook strike, exploiting goalkeeper Hannah Hampton’s position, wrote RO.

Cathinka Tandberg’s quick-reaction goal for Tottenham against Everton, after Bethany England regained possession, caught goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan off guard, wrote RR.

Kirsty Hanson’s corner routine with Lynn Wilms for Aston Villa against West Ham involved a short pass and rising shot into the far corner. Alessia Russo’s assist for Frida Maanum’s goal against Aston Villa was also notable, wrote SW.

Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Arsenal in October featured five goals and shifting momentum. Chloe Kelly equalized for Arsenal before Iman Beney’s 87th-minute winner in the rain, wrote SD.

City’s 3-2 win over Arsenal in October was a high-quality thriller that proved pivotal in the title race, with Iman Beney’s late goal convincing City they could win the title, wrote TG.

Brighton defeated Manchester City 3-2 at Broadfield Stadium in April, giving the eventual champions their third loss of the season after a comeback, wrote EH.

Brighton’s 3-2 win over Manchester City in April featured five goals and tense moments, with Brighton edging out the eventual champions, wrote RO.

Arsenal’s 1-0 win over City ended City’s 13-match winning streak, with Olivia Smith scoring the only goal in front of 39,000 fans, exposing City’s vulnerabilities, wrote RR.

Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, achieved with seven changes ahead of their FA Cup semi-final, handed City the title. The performance of rotated players was exceptional, wrote SW.

Toko Koga, a 19-year-old Japan international, joined Tottenham in July and was a consistent presence at centre-back, starting 19 matches and scoring two goals, including a spectacular final-day strike, wrote SD.

While Olivia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, and Toko Koga impressed, the standout signing was Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, whose inspired performances for Liverpool after a January loan likely saved them from relegation playoffs, wrote TG.

Jess Park, acquired by Manchester United in exchange for Grace Clinton, added creativity and excitement to the attack, wrote EH.

Jess Park thrived at Manchester United in a free-roaming role, scoring six goals and providing five assists. At 24, her development will be intriguing, wrote RO.

Jess Park’s deadline-day swap for Grace Clinton made her the most important force at Manchester United, dominating midfield with aggression and skill, wrote RR.

Jade Rose’s defensive impact for Manchester City was impressive, providing stability in an area of weakness. She scored her first City goal in the final game, capping a strong debut season, wrote SW.

Midday Sunday kick-offs have been detrimental to fans and coverage. While broadcast visibility is important, the timing has made away travel harder, increased costs, and reduced attendances, wrote SD.

Grace Geyoro, who moved for a world record £1.43m to London City Lionesses, has not lived up to expectations. Hopefully she will settle in the English game next season, wrote TG.

Aston Villa finished just one point above West Ham and three above Liverpool, and likely would have been lower without Kirsty Hanson’s contributions, wrote EH.

Leicester City, after sacking manager Amandine Miquel just before the season, went winless in 11 league games in 2026 and finished bottom. They face Charlton in a playoff to determine WSL survival, wrote RO.

The introduction of regular Sunday 12pm kick-offs has been contentious. Away fans struggle to arrive on time, and simultaneous scheduling limits viewing options for fans and media, wrote RR.

Noon kick-offs should be eliminated. While broadcast slots are needed, women’s football deserves prime time. Clubs and the Premier League must be pushed to provide a top slot, given decades of underfunding, wrote SW.

The late postponement of Arsenal’s match against Leicester City, due to the Champions Cup, led to Arsenal playing seven games in 20 days, a WSL record burden, wrote SD.

Weekend scheduling of Women’s Champions League semi-finals causes frequent domestic fixture changes, frustrating fans who face short notice disruptions, wrote TG.

Sky Sports’ investment in women’s football is commendable, but scheduling multiple Sunday 12pm kick-offs may not maximize viewership or match attendance, wrote EH.

Congested schedules challenge players and fans. Arsenal’s Champions League involvement forced rescheduled WSL games, requiring significant commitment from supporters, wrote RO.

Misogyny and sexism persist in women’s football. Comment sections on young signings objectify players, and fans report harassment at matches, ruining the experience, wrote RR.

Refereeing errors persist in key games, but the issue is that refereeing lags behind player professionalization. Greater investment in refereeing or VAR may help, despite VAR controversies in the Premier League, wrote SW.