World Cup final: Start of Women's National League season means some players won't be able to watch England's Lionesses take on Spain

August 17, 2023

Many of the footballers in the Women's National League may miss out watching the World Cup final because the new domestic season begins this weekend.

The earliest kick-offs on Sunday - when the Lionesses are playing Spain - are at 2pm, three hours after the showpiece gets under way in Sydney.

But away teams will be travelling to grounds and preparing for their matches, meaning they may see little or none of the final.

The FA Women's National League (FAWNL) said it was "aware of comments regarding league fixtures on Sunday 20 August".

It added: "For clarity of fact, all WNL clubs voted to accept starting the 23/24 season on the 3rd Sunday in August as per previous seasons.

"As this fell on the date of the World Cup final, clubs were given several options, including: play as scheduled, deviate kick off to enable club personnel to watch the final prior to the league fixture or request not to play on 20 August with the scheduled match rearranged to an alternative date."

It added that if any clubs were still unhappy about the arrangements they could, with the agreement of the opposition, make a change.

One player who spoke to Sky News anonymously said the "entire situation could have been avoided" if the FA had made the decision itself instead of handing it to clubs.

She added that an alternative midweek fixture may not be workable because "players have full time jobs" and "many do not receive expenses for travel".

Read more:
Everything you should know about Spain before they face the Lionesses
England fans celebrate as Lionesses into first ever World Cup final

Another player, also speaking anonymously, said that as soon as England beat Australia on Wednesday her thoughts "turned to the match on Sunday".

She added: "Not the World Cup final, but my own match, due to kick off on Sunday afternoon.

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"Squad group chats immediately lit up and players were taking to social media raising concerns that they would be unable to watch the whole final on Sunday, due to their matches."

Regarding possible rearrangements, she added: "Home teams are likely to be reluctant to postpone with money already being spent on the fixture."

She continued: "Football is a game of emotions, and there's no bigger match than a World Cup final!

"I believe that the league should take it out of the hands of clubs and teams and postpone fixtures across the pyramid, ensuring all can celebrate the day and the occasion as they desire."

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