ASFAR v Gotham FC
FIFA Women’s Champions Cup third-place play-off
Sunday 1 February 2026 | Arsenal Stadium, London (England)
Kick-off times
14:45 (London)
15:45 (Rabat)
09:45 (New York)
African champions ASFAR and North American counterparts Gotham FC will face off in the third-place play-off of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026™ this Sunday 1 February, at Arsenal Stadium.
The Moroccans won their second CAF Women’s Champions League title last November, beating ASEC Mimosas 2-1 to qualify for FIFA’s new women’s club competition. The Americans clinched the Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup title, the first in history, last May by defeating Mexico’s Tigres 1-0 in the final.
Both teams lost in the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions Cup on Wednesday at Brentford Stadium and are now vying for bronze.
What happened in the semi-finals
After winning their first Champions Cup match 2-1 in extra time against Wuhan Chegu Jiangda WFC last December, ASFAR failed to thwart Arsenal’s plans in the semi-finals. Mohamed Amine Alioua’s side quickly fell behind at Brentford Stadium, with Stina Blackstenius scoring in the eighth minute to give the Londoners control. They led 4-0 at half-time before Alessia Russo came on in the second half to score twice and inflict a 6-0 defeat on the Moroccans.
READ – Alioua: We have to hold our heads up high
Gotham, meanwhile, made their debut in the competition on Wednesday against SC Corinthians of Brazil in the semi-finals. The Americans dominated the match, putting up impressive statistics: 550 passes compared to Corinthians’ 285, and 33 crosses compared to their opponents’ six.
However, Juan Carlos Amoros’ charges only managed to get two of their 21 shots on target – the same as Corinthians with nine shots – and conceded a goal late in the game to lose 1-0, with the experienced Gabi Zanotti volleying home a pass from Tamires in the 83rd minute.
READ – Frustrated Gotham stars out to secure bronze
Injuries and suspensions
In his pre-match press conference, Alioua said that Hanane Ait El Haj might not be available and that Anissa Lahmari is dealing with “some pain”.
Gotham’s Rose Lavelle is still undergoing concussion protocol after her head injury against Corinthians, while Gabi Portilho is questionable after receiving a knock in the same game.
What they said…
“[Against Gotham] We’re going to be more offensive. We didn’t set up the same formation we used against Arsenal because we were afraid, on the contrary, it was more to minimise the damage. On Sunday, we have nothing to lose. There’s third place at stake. We know very well that the New York team plays in the best league in the world alongside the English league. They have a lot of talented players and a great staff. But we’re going to take our chances. I think that if we have to lose, at least we want to show that we can do something.”
Mohamed Amine Alioua, ASFAR manager
“We quickly shifted our focus to the next goal. The staff helps us a lot to stay focused on the essentials: recovery, training and mental preparation.”
Doha El Madani, ASFAR winger
“It’s certainly disappointing [not to make the final]. Anytime we’re in a competition, especially on the international stage, we want to be in contention to win that first place. But just because that’s not the reality for us right now doesn’t mean we’re going to go into this game any less focused or any less determined.”
Sarah Schupansky, Gotham forward
“I think we are really disappointed that we are not in the final, but at the same time we know that we cannot change the past, but we can prepare for the future. We are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that everyone is ready, that everyone is prepared for Sunday, that we are ready to compete.”
Juan Carlos Amoros, Gotham manager
Where to watch the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026
The historic first edition of the tournament will be available to fans around the world through a mix of free-to-view global streaming and top-tier local broadcasters.
You can watch ASFAR v Gotham for free on FIFA+ worldwide, except in the following territories: United States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Morocco, Brazil, China and Gibraltar.
