But first, they have to go through a grueling series of matches in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) region, to get to the top.

There are 10 teams in the newly launched CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup, made up of teams from Mexico, USA, Jamaica, Panama, Canada and El Salvador.

The competition serves as a qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup.

In the group stages draw conducted on Thursday (6 June 2024), Kgatlana’s UANL Tigres and Seoposenwe’s CF Monterrey are both in Group B, alongside NY/NJ Gotham FC (United States), LD Alajuelense (Costa Rica) and Frazsiers Whip Football Limited (Jamaica).

In Group B lies Club America (Mexico), Santa Fe (Panama), San Diego Wave (USA), Portland Thorns FC (USA) and one between Vancouver White Caps FC (Canada) and Allianza Women (El Salvador) – the pair still has to meet in the play-offs to determine the 10th team in the group stages.

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The side from El Salvador will host the Preliminary Round single-leg match.

CF Monterrey qualified for the first ever edition of the CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup after winning the league in the Clausura 2024 in Liga MX Femenil, while Tigres claimed gold in the league in the Apertura 2023. Club America are the best runners up in the league based on points.

The inaugural competition will run from August 2024 to May 2025, with the FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to take place in January/February 2026.

CONCACAF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS DRAW:

Group A:

NJ/NY Gotham FC

Tigres Femenil

CF Monterrey Femenil

LD Alajuelense

Frazsiers Whip Football Limited

Group B:

San Diego Wave FC

Portland Thorns FC

Club America Femenil

Santa Fe FC

Preliminary Round winner (Vancouver White Caps FC or Allianza Women)

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