WSL title race tightens as Manchester City slip up in 2026

Manchester City’s loss at Brighton keeps the WSL title race wide open with just a few games remaining in the 2025-26 season.

Title decider still wide open Manchester City’s defeat against Brighton on Saturday has left the door slightly open in the Women’s Super League title fight. After dominating for much of the season, their stumble raises fresh doubts about whether they will finally clinch the trophy this time. The outcome of the next few matches will determine if City’s decade-long wait for a league title continues or if another contender will claim the crown. Recent near-misses, including finishing behind Chelsea by two points in 2020-21 and on goal difference in 2023-24, add pressure on City to avoid another heartbreaking finish. ## Arsenal’s last-ditch push for glory Arsenal remain in the title race despite trailing Manchester City by four points with two games left for the leaders. The Gunners have three matches in hand and must win all remaining fixtures to maximize their chances of overhauling City. Even if they secure all nine possible points, they would only finish top if City fail to pick up any further points. Arsenal’s path to the title depends entirely on their ability to capitalize while City stumble in their final games. ## Champions League spots still undecided The battle for Champions League qualification is heading down to the wire with just a handful of matches remaining. Manchester City have already secured their spot and need just one point to guarantee a top-two finish, which secures automatic qualification. The remaining two spots will be contested by Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, with Chelsea currently holding a five-point advantage over Arsenal with two games left. Manchester United, level on points with Arsenal, may need to win all three of their remaining games to have a realistic chance of securing a top-three finish. ## Relegation playoff looms for one team For the first time this season, the team finishing bottom will earn a second chance via a relegation playoff against the third-placed team in WSL 2. Leicester City are currently in the relegation zone with nine points, four adrift of West Ham in the 13-point mark, though they have a game in hand. Leicester face difficult fixtures ahead, including trips to London City, Arsenal, and Chelsea, before concluding with a match against Everton. West Ham, meanwhile, must navigate games at Liverpool and Aston Villa before hosting Manchester City on the final day, making their survival anything but guaranteed. ## Promotion spots up for grabs in WSL 2 With the Women’s Super League expanding to 14 teams next season, the top two teams in WSL 2 will earn automatic promotion. Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic currently lead the second division with 41 points each and can secure promotion with a win in their Sunday fixtures against Ipswich and Southampton respectively. Crystal Palace sit third with 38 points and need just a single point to secure the final playoff spot, while Newcastle have a slim chance with 33 points, requiring two wins and a stumble from Palace to overtake them.