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Kanizat Ibrahim, the first female Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has significantly advanced women's football in Africa. Under her leadership, CAF introduced key competitions like the CAF Women's Champions League and launched development programs such as the GIFT initiative for U-17 female players. These efforts have led to increased recognition, with 47 out of 54 African federations now having senior women's teams and 49 hosting women's first-division competitions.

Despite these advancements, Ibrahim acknowledges ongoing challenges, particularly in changing perceptions about women's football and improving infrastructure and funding. She emphasizes the importance of viewing the sport as a professional opportunity for women to build careers and support their families. Her vision includes fostering a supportive environment where young African girls can aspire to roles as players, coaches, or administrators in football.

Millie Bright, a defender for Chelsea and England, emphasizes the transformative power of football in fostering community and personal growth. She highlights the importance of grassroots initiatives, such as the Football Foundation's Lionesses Futures Fund, which has funded 30 new 3G pitches dedicated to women's and girls' football. Bright believes these facilities provide safe spaces for individuals to connect, find support, and build confidence, underscoring football's role beyond just the sport.

She also expresses pride in her teammate, Lucy Bronze, for openly discussing her diagnosis of ADHD and autism. Bright commends Bronze's courage in sharing her story, recognizing that such openness can inspire others and promote understanding of neurodiverse conditions within the sporting community. This acknowledgment reflects Bright's broader commitment to inclusivity and support within football.

Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's women's national football team, has fought for three years to ensure Afghan female footballers have a future in the sport. After tireless efforts and advocacy, she announced that FIFA has finally agreed to support the rebuilding of women's football in Afghanistan. The sport was banned in the country after the Taliban took control in 2021, forcing many female players to flee. Popal, who now lives in Denmark, has played a key role in protecting and helping Afghan women footballers, ensuring they can continue playing outside their homeland. Through her organization, 'Girl Power Organisation,' she has been a strong voice for women’s rights, using football as a tool to empower girls and connect communities.

She believes that football is more than just a game; it is a way to bring people together and drive social change. Popal has been working with international organizations and governing bodies to provide opportunities for Afghan female players to compete again. FIFA's recent decision to support Afghan women's football gives hope to many players who had their dreams taken away. While the road ahead is still challenging, this progress marks a step toward a future where Afghan women can return to the field and represent their country. Popal remains committed to ensuring that female athletes have the support and resources they need to pursue their passion, no matter where they are.

After Thursday's matches, we already know what the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final line-up will look like. 

Chelsea will face defending champions Barcelona, a team renowned for their dominance in European competitions. Chelsea's recent 3-0 victory over Manchester City showcased their formidable form, with standout performances from Nathalie Björn and Mayra Ramírez. To overcome Barcelona, Chelsea will need to maximize their home advantage and maintain their high-intensity play.

Arsenal will have to deal with multiple champions Olympique Lyon after knocking out Real Madrid. The Gunners beat the White Ballet 3-0 at home at the Emirates on Wednesday to turn the series around after losing 3-2 in Madrid. The teams already met in the Champions League in 2022 in the group stage, when Arsenal won 5-1 but lost 0-1 in the return leg. 

The matches will take place on 19 and 26 April.

Trinity Rodman is returning to the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) for the first time since the 2024 Olympics. Coach Emma Hayes included her in the 24-player squad for upcoming friendly matches against Brazil. These games are scheduled for April 5 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and April 8 at PayPal Park in San Jose.

The squad features 19 players from the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, with notable additions such as Kansas City Current center-back Alana Cook, returning after her last appearance in 2023. Two uncapped players, Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Houston Dash's Avery Patterson, are also included. Angelina Anderson and Mia Fishel will join as training players.

UEFA has launched "Unstoppable," a six-year strategy aimed at elevating women's football by 2030. The plan focuses on making football the most popular team sport for women and girls in every European country, developing professional leagues, and increasing the number of professional players. It also aims to create a sustainable and investable environment for women's football and celebrate its unique community values.

To achieve these goals, UEFA has outlined eight strategic priorities. These include developing pathways for players, coaches, and referees; ensuring universal access to grassroots football; and promoting high-performance systems. The strategy builds upon the success of UEFA's previous initiative, "Time For Action," and aligns with the broader "United for Success 2024-30" strategy to foster a thriving football environment across Europe.

Arsenal defender Leah Williamson emphasized the team's commitment to maintaining high standards and learning from past performances ahead of their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. Reflecting on their previous 2-0 loss, she acknowledged that the team underperformed and stressed the importance of self-assessment and continuous improvement. Williamson highlighted the team's culture of accountability and the necessity of being present and impactful in every action and communication with teammates.

With over 20,000 supporters expected at Emirates Stadium, Williamson expressed confidence in the squad's ability to leverage the home advantage. She drew parallels to their previous successful comeback against Bayern Munich in a similar situation, noting that such experiences instill confidence and belief in overturning deficits. As an Arsenal fan who grew up with the club, Williamson conveyed the team's ambition to replicate past successes and continue striving toward their goals.

Arsenal vs. Real Madrid

Arsenal faces a challenging task as they host Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. Real Madrid's Linda and Athenea were pivotal in securing the initial advantage. Arsenal's recent 4-0 victory over Liverpool showcases their offensive prowess, which they'll need to replicate to progress. Key players to watch include Arsenal's Leah Williamson, who remains optimistic about her team's chances, stating they can overcome the deficit despite the earlier setback. Real Madrid's solid defense will be tested against Arsenal's aggressive approach. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26th, and will be streamed live on DAZN Women's Football YouTube channel.

Lyon vs. Bayern Munich

Lyon holds a significant advantage after a 2-0 away win in the first leg against Bayern Munich. Bayern, facing their first home defeat to Lyon, will be eager to overturn the deficit. Key players for Lyon include forward Ada Hegerberg, known for her clinical finishing, and defender Wendie Renard, who anchors their defense. Bayern's resilience will be tested as they aim to breach Lyon's robust defense. The match takes place on Wednesday, March 26th.

Chelsea vs. Manchester City

In a series of closely contested matches, Manchester City holds a 2-0 advantage from the first leg. Chelsea aims to overturn this deficit in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's resilience was evident in their recent 2-1 victory over City in the Women's Super League, a match marred by a refereeing error that favored Chelsea. Key players to watch include Chelsea's defender Nathalie Björn who has been in great form recently, and City's forward Vivianne Miedema, who scored 2 goals in previous UWCL match . The match is slated for Thursday, March 27th.

Barcelona vs. Wolfsburg

The match will take place at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona. In the first leg, held on March 19, 2025, at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Barcelona secured a 4-1 victory. This result gives Barcelona a huge advantage heading into the second leg, but Wolfsburg remains a formidable opponent with a history of strong performances in European competitions. On the other hand, Barcelona lost to Real Madrid for the first time on Sunday, so nothing is impossible in football.

Fans can expect an intense and competitive match as both teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals. Key players to watch include Barcelona's Ewa Pajor, who has been in exceptional form, and Wolfsburg's captain Alexandra Popp, known for her leadership and goal-scoring abilities. The outcome of this fixture will determine which team advances further in the tournament, bringing them closer to the coveted Champions League title.