Sports
Arsenal, Gotham favorites for new FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
The inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup travels to London on Wednesday as the final four clubs battle for the trophy. Having started back in October, the competition is played between the six best teams from each continental confederation, with this week’s final tournament format featuring two semifinals, a third-place playoff and a final.
With diverse playing styles and world-class talent on display, the event promises high-stakes drama with the chance of silverware on the line and the highest-ever single prize-money payout in women’s football for the winner. But what do you need to know about it?
What is the Women’s Champions Cup?
Each FIFA confederation held its own version of the UEFA Champions League tournament, many for the first time as they did not have a historical club tournament like UEFA.
On announcing the new competition last year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “Women’s football has reached new heights at national team level and now it’s time for global competitions that showcase the best clubs from around the world.”
It’s not the same as the Women’s Club World Cup, right?
No, the 16-team Club World Cup is a separate competition. But think of this one as its little sister.
Originally, the Club World Cup was scheduled for 2026, but due to organizational and planning issues, FIFA chose to postpone it until 2028. Not wanting to miss the chance at having three tournaments in consecutive years, with the 2027 World Cup to be held next year in Brazil, FIFA opted to implement the six-team Champions Cup.
The Club World Cup, already engulfed in controversy over its possible hosting in Qatar and scheduling concerns, is set for Jan. 5-30, 2028, which will directly impact at least five Women’s Super League (WSL) matchdays, something the league believes could be “catastrophic.”
Which teams are in it, and who went out already?
The teams competing in London are England’s Arsenal (UEFA), NWSL side Gotham FC (CONCACAF), Brazilian team Corinthians (CONMEBOL), and Morocco’s ASFAR [Royal Armed Forces Sports Association] (CAF).
New Zealand’s Auckland United FC (Oceania) and China’s Wuhan Jiangda WFC (AFC) have already been knocked out of the competition, with Wuhan beating Auckland in the first round and then losing to ASFAR in round two. The other three teams progressed straight to the semifinals.
Gotham FC take on Corinthians in the first semifinal at 12:30 p.m. GMT (7:30 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Then Arsenal face ASFAR in the second at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. ET).
The winners will play the final on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. ET), with the losers in the third-place playoff beforehand at 2:45 p.m. GMT (9:45 a.m. ET).
How did teams qualify?
Having won the UEFA Women’s Champions League for a second time — ending an 18-year wait since their first victory in 2006 — Arsenal are Europe’s representative.
North America will have Gotham FC as they won the 2025 NWSL Championship, which earned them a place in the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup — a 10-team competition split into two groups, a semifinal and final. Gotham came second in their group to progress to the knockouts, then beat Club America 3-1 in the semifinal, before defeating Tigres 1-0 in the final to claim the crown.
Africa will be represented by ASFAR, who have won every domestic Moroccan title since 2015 and every Moroccan Throne Cup since 2013. CAF first started the African Women’s Champions League in 2021 and ASFAR won it in 2022, then again in 2025, becoming the only team to win it twice in its five-year history.
The CONMEBOL champions are Brazilian side Corinthians, who won the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino before sealing a third-straight Copa Libertadores in a dramatic penalty shootout against Deportivo Cali.
Meanwhile, Ocenia’s Auckland United FC won the third edition of the OFC Champions League, and Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda picked up the inaugural AFC Champions League for Asia.
Where are the games being held, and why is it happening now?
Originally, the Champions Cup was scheduled for the west coast of the United States. However, as Arsenal are in the middle of a jam-packed season, with crucial WSL title race games either side of the tournament, the nine-hour travel, jet lag and minimal preparation time meant the club were adamant about moving the competition closer to home, sources have told ESPN.
Gotham FC, who run a different calendar to the UK — they play March-November, while WSL teams play September-May — are in their offseason but have spent the past month based in Europe, playing a variety of teams to gain momentum, exposure and keep fit.
FIFA agreed to move the tournament to England and Wednesday’s semifinals will be played at the GTech Community Stadium, the home of Brentford FC in west London. The finals will be held at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s home ground, removing the neutral venue advantage for all teams and giving the Champions League holders a huge home advantage.
What is the prize money on offer?
Auckland United and Wuhan Jiangda were awarded $100,000 for their participation.
The two teams who exit in the semifinals will earn $200,000.
The runner-up will take home $1 million, with the winner earning $2.3 million.
1:20
Krieger: Gotham FC deserved NWSL Championship win
Ali Krieger was full of praise for Gotham FC and their manager Juan Carlos Amorós after their NWSL Championship win over Washington Spirit.
Semifinal previews
Gotham FC vs. Corinthians
These two are rather unfamiliar opponents to each other but, as a leading powerhouse in one of the most advanced leagues in the world, with a host of top international players like Jaedyn Shaw, Rose Lavelle and Esther González, Gotham are likely to take the win.
However, Corinthians’ ethos and pedigree is not to be overlooked. They have some impressive players — such as captain Tamires, who has over 150 caps for Brazil — and a true identity that makes them a ruthless team. However, Gotham’s dedicated preparation in Europe will make them tough to beat.
Gotham player to watch: Ann-Katrin Berger. Anyone who watched the WSL from 2018-2024 will remember Berger for her iconic saves and world-class performances that helped Chelsea to win five WSL titles. Returning to England, Berger comes off the back of some impressive form for Germany and will be at the center of Gotham’s hopes for the inaugural trophy.
Corinthians player to watch: Jhonson. The forward has enjoyed a stellar 2025. She netted the decisive penalty against Deportivo Cali in the Copa Libertadores final to qualify the Timão for this competition and has now worked her way into Brazil’s senior setup. The 20-year-old is quickly proving to be a key cog for the South Americans and will enjoy trying to open up the Gotham defense.
Prediction: Gotham 3-0 Corinthians.
Arsenal vs. ASFAR
As one of the best teams in the world — with history, innovation and resources at their disposal — Arsenal are in pole position to reach the final. The Gunners have world-class players, state-of-the-art facilities and home advantage too, so it is all stacked in their favor to secure a victory.
But ASFAR may prove more of a challenge than expected. The Moroccan side demonstrated their resilience with a dramatic comeback in their second-round match against Wuhan to secure a semifinal spot, and that is something Arsenal have struggled with this season.
Arsenal player to watch: Alessia Russo. The crown jewel in the Arsenal attack, Russo is used as both a striker and attacking midfielder to force opponents into mistakes at the back. She holds the ball up and dictates the tempo, and has been one of the club’s best players this, and last, season. She is hard to stop once she gets going and ASFAR will need to close her down effectively.
ASFAR player to watch: Anissa Lahmari. The former Paris Saint-Germain star has a wealth of experience across the globe. She has played in France for several clubs, had a loan spell at Reading, and spent a period of time in Spain with Levante before joining ASFAR. She was also part of France’s youth setup before switching her allegiance to Morocco in 2023. Lahmari has played against Arsenal before, and her teammates will be picking her brains as to how to frustrate the north London side.
Prediction: Arsenal 4-0 ASFAR
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IndyCar rookie Caio Collet was involved in a terrifying crash toward the end of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon with Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward fighting for first place.
Collet got loose in Turn 2 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and overcorrected just enough to send his vehicle into the wall. His right rear caught fire as he skidded down the track and onto the grass.
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Caio Collet drives a Combitrans AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet through turn three during practice on Miller Lite Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., on May 22, 2026. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)
Emergency personnel came over to put the fire out and help Collet out of his car.
He was able to walk away from the scary wreck, but track officials called for a red flag. The red flag stopped the race and gave drivers a breather for what would be a total shootout for the final few laps.
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Caio Collet leads the field during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 24, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Collet will fall down the leaderboard as he didn’t finish the race.
The A.J. Foyt Racing driver was making his first appearance in the Indy 500. He graduated into the NTT IndyCar Series after finishing second in the Indy NXT Series last year. He won three races on the Indy NXT Series in 2025.
The Brazilian came into the race in 21st place in the IndyCar standings with 70 points through six starts. He has yet to finish in the top 10 in his first season.
David Maluka talks with Caio Collet before practice for the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 18, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)
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The 2026 Indy 500 already featured more than 50 lead changes and was one of the more competitive events in recent memory.
Felix Rosenqvist won the race on the final lap.
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When the NASCAR Cup Series went to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 in 2025, Ross Chastain got into Victory Lane after closing at +1800 to be the outright winner.
Chastain’s impressive win came after leading only eight laps on the day.
Which driver will take the checkered flag when the series goes back to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Weekend for one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels?
Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 24.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600
Denny Hamlin: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Tyler Reddick: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Kyle Larson: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Christopher Bell: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Chase Briscoe: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
William Byron: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Carson Hocevar: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Ryan Blaney: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Chase Elliott: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Brad Keselowski: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Ty Gibbs: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Ross Chastain: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Chris Buescher: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Bubba Wallace: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Alex Bowman: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Austin Dillon: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Joey Logano: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Connor Zilisch: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Hill: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Cindric: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Ryan Preece: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Michael McDowell: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Corey Heim: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Erik Jones: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Shane van Gisbergen: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Daniel Suarez: +17000 (bet $10 to win $1,710 total)
Josh Berry: +18000 (bet $10 to win $1,810 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Zane Smith: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Ty Dillon: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Todd Gilliland: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Riley Herbst: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Cole Custer: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Katherine Legge: +90000 (bet $10 to win $9,010 total)
Timmy Hill: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Cody Ware: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:
The Favorite
Denny Hamlin is coming in hot off an All-Star Race win at Dover. And while it wasn’t a points race, coming into Charlotte after starting from the pole and leading 103 laps in last week’s exhibition could give him the momentum he needs to grab the checkered flag at the Coke 600. His first and only win at this race came in 2022. In 2025, he started 20th but finished 16th after posting the best lap of the day at 29.37 and leading 53 laps.
One to Watch
Tyler Reddick is having an incredible season. He’s gotten into Victory Lane five times, including the first three races of the year. Cup qualifying got rained out, so Reddick will start from the pole today at Charlotte in accordance with league rules. On the season, Reddick has led 201 laps and has eight finishes in the top five. In 2025, he finished the Coca-Cola 600 26th after leading only one lap.
Sports
Pakistan’s Faisal Shafi becomes first local runner to achieve provisional eighth marathon star
KARACHI: Pakistani runners turned the streets of Cape Town into a landmark chapter of the country’s growing marathon movement as Karachi’s Faisal Shafi and British-Pakistani runner Huma Rehman achieved the eighth star, although currently a provisional star, at the 2026 Cape Town Marathon, a race expected to become the next Abbott World Marathon Major.
Competing against a backdrop of Table Mountain, the Pakistani contingent produced a significant collective performance on the global marathon stage.
More than 27,000 runners participated in the event, but for Pakistan’s marathon running community, the spotlight belonged to a small group of runners representing the country’s running community in the world’s most scenic marathon courses.
Karachi-based Shafi emerged as the central figure of the story. Completing the 42.195-kilometre race in 3 hours, 35 minutes and 37 seconds, Shafi became the first Pakistan-based runner to complete eight World Marathon stars, a milestone considered among the rarest achievements in recreational endurance running.
“This is my eighth star,” Shafi told Geo News after crossing the finish line.
“The eighth Major was actually supposed to happen in Cape Town last year, but due to bad weather, the marathon was cancelled.”
The Cape Town Marathon currently remains in the candidacy phase for Abbott World Marathon Major status.
Organisers announced before the race that every finisher would receive a provisional Major star, similar to the pathway Sydney followed before officially becoming a Major.
Once Cape Town passes its final assessment and is officially inducted into the World Marathon Majors, the provisional star will automatically convert to a fully recognised star, retroactively counting toward your Major
The development effectively made this year’s Cape Town Marathon one of the most historically significant races outside the existing Major circuit. If officially approved, Cape Town would become the first African race to join the elite series alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Sydney.
For Shafi, it was beyond personal achievement.
“I am the first eight-star finisher from Pakistan and the first person to complete eight stars while living in Pakistan,” he said.
“This is a huge leap for Pakistan in marathon running because eight stars is a very elusive achievement. Even globally, only a few hundred people may have completed eight stars.”
Shafi’s run itself reflected the composure of an experienced marathoner. He crossed the halfway mark in 1:39:56 and maintained a disciplined pace through the opening 30 kilometres, consistently running between 4:44 and 4:46 per kilometre before the challenging latter stages tested the field.
While Shafi carried Pakistan’s headline moment, British Pakistani runner Huma Rehman produced one of the strongest performances among the Pakistani-origin participants. She completed the race in an impressive 3:31:34, finishing ahead of Shafi overall and becoming the first British Pakistani runner to secure the eighth world star milestone.
Her race was a masterclass in rhythm and consistency. After reaching 5km in 25:52, Huma gradually accelerated through the course, clocking 51:36 at 10km and 1:16:45 at 15km before crossing halfway in 1:46:43. Remarkably, she maintained almost identical pacing deep into the latter stages of the race, covering 30km in 2:30:52, reaching 35km in 2:56:08 and crossing 40km in 3:20:53, averaging almost exactly five minutes per kilometer across much of the second half of the marathon, a sign of elite endurance management on a demanding course.
Pakistan and the overseas Pakistani community had six representatives in the marathon. Karachi’s Hina Shaukat produced a personal-best performance of 4:31:23, while Lahore runner Amina Sibtain completed her first-ever marathon in 4:44:51. Kashif Zulfiqar crossed the line moments later in 4:44:54.
Canadian Pakistani runner Ziyad Rahim completed the race in 6:54:33.
Hina Shaukat said that the Cape Town marathon was the proudest finish of her running career.
“It was my third marathon, and I was able to shave 40 minutes off my PR,” she said.
“My family was there at the finish line, and they made this one extra special. The photos may not look fast, but the clock definitely was. This was, undoubtedly, my proudest finish yet,” she told Geo News.
Beyond the results, however, the race symbolised something larger for Pakistan’s slowly expanding marathon running culture. Community running events in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore have witnessed rapid growth in recent years, and Faisal Shafi believes milestones like Cape Town can inspire even more people to embrace marathon running.
“God willing, more people will now be inspired towards marathon running,” he said. “Just like the recent One Run event in Karachi, where so many people participated, I believe this sport will continue growing in Pakistan.”
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