Gotham FC’s rise onto the world stage continues Wednesday as the reigning NWSL and Concacaf champions take on South American giants Corinthians in the semifinal round of the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup at Brentford Stadium.
The match kicks off at 12:30 p.m. GMT (7:30 a.m. ET), with the winner advancing to Sunday’s final at Arsenal Stadium against either Arsenal or Morocco’s ASFAR.
This tournament marks the first edition of FIFA’s intercontinental women’s club competition, bringing together champions from each confederation. Gotham secured its invitation by capturing the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup last year, defeating Tigres UANL in the final to establish itself as the top club in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Corinthians arrives in London with a legacy of sustained dominance. The São Paulo club is the reigning Copa Libertadores Femenina champion and has now lifted South America’s top prize six times overall, including three consecutive titles through 2025. Domestically, Corinthians also secured a sixth straight Brazilian Série A championship last season, reinforcing its status as one of the most successful women’s clubs in the world.
Wednesday’s semifinal carries historic significance for Gotham. It will be the earliest competitive match the club has ever played, its first official meeting with Corinthians, and its first competitive fixture against a Brazilian opponent. It also places Gotham in unprecedented territory, as the club becomes the first in NWSL history to participate in seven different competitions across league, regional, and global stages.
For head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, the opportunity reflects years of ambition finally meeting reality.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to be competing in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. I think from the last few years, we had a target to try to be the best football club in the world, and this kind of competition is what we were aiming for. Obviously then it didn’t exist, but coming here, coming to London, and playing against teams from all over the world, who are also champions of the continents, is something that is truly special. So, we are really excited about it and ready to get the ball rolling tomorrow against Corinthians.”
Amorós also emphasized the caliber of the challenge posed by the South American champions.
“They’ve got some very mature players who’ve seen everything about the game. They are a fantastic team. Obviously, they are the best team in South America the last 15 to 20 years. They have a lot of experience. They know how to win.”
Gotham enters the semifinal unbeaten against non-NWSL opposition, holding a (7-0-3) record in competitive international play. Wednesday will also mark the club’s first match since lifting the 2025 NWSL Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit, securing its second league title in three seasons.
Players have welcomed the chance to compete in a new environment against elite opposition. Defender Mandy Freeman said the group is embracing both the setting and the challenge.
“London is a great city to be in. We’re used to the rain and the weather, so that’s not going to get us down. We can definitely make the best out of anything. [We’re] really looking forward to playing in the stadium, playing against top teams and really representing ourselves.”
Preparation for Corinthians has been strengthened by Gotham’s Brazilian players, whose familiarity with the style and tempo of play has added an important layer to scouting. Midfielder Jaelin Howell highlighted the value of that perspective.
“It’s nice for us to be able to see their style of play, the Brazilian players. Seeing how they play and playing against them every day is super helpful. Them being in Brazil with those players and that team is really helpful, as well as scouting.”
With two continental champions meeting for the first time and a place in the final on the line, Wednesday’s semifinal offers a defining opportunity for Gotham FC to measure itself against one of the most decorated clubs in women’s football and continue its push onto the global stage.
