The Big Five of Women’s Football in FM26
Not every FM26 save idea has to be lower-league chaos with muddy pitches and strikers asking for £75 a week.
Sometimes you want the glamour saves: world-class players, packed stadiums, and Champions League nights from the very first click.
That’s where the Big Five of Women’s Football come in. Each one offers a different kind of challenge:
- Arsenal – England’s queens of history.
- Barcelona – artistry and perfection.
- Chelsea – relentless winners chasing Europe.
- Lyon – the dynasty builders.
- Wolfsburg – German giants hungry to return.
Whichever you choose, you’ll win trophies. The fun is in how you do it.
Arsenal
Arsenal are the original powerhouse of women’s football in England. Before Chelsea started dominating the WSL, it was Arsenal winning everything. They’ve lifted 15 league titles and 14 FA Cups, and in 2007 became the first, and only, English team to win the Women’s Champions League.
For years, they were untouchable – between October 2003 and March 2009 they went an incredible 108 league games unbeaten, and won 51 games in a row.
The crowds are bigger than ever at the Emirates, but their dominance isn’t what it once was.
The Challenge
Your job is to bring Arsenal back to the very top.
- End Chelsea’s run of WSL titles.
- Deliver Arsenal’s second Champions League trophy.
- Keep key players fit – injuries have been a recurring problem.
The talent is already there, but compared to Chelsea, your budget is tighter. You’ll need clever signings and a strong academy to bridge the gap.
Difficulty
- A strong squad but not the biggest budget compared to rivals.
- Chelsea’s dominance makes the WSL hard to crack.
- European competition adds another layer of pressure.
Arsenal have the players to win, but turning potential into trophies isn’t straightforward.
Barcelona
Barcelona are the team everyone talks about when it comes to women’s football. They’ve won three Champions League titles in four years, added ten league titles, and set records with crowds of over 90,000 at Camp Nou.
What makes them stand out isn’t just the trophies, it’s how they play. Their football is fast, technical, and all about possession. Players like Aitana Bonmatí, Caroline Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo, and Alexia Putellas have become global stars, with Bonmatí winning the Ballon d’Or a record three times.
The Challenge
This save is about chasing perfection.
- Go unbeaten in the league.
- Score 100+ goals across a season.
- Beat Lyon’s record of five consecutive Champions League wins.
The league is almost guaranteed – the real test is Europe and keeping yourself motivated once the silverware starts stacking up.
Difficulty
- The Spanish league is almost guaranteed.
- Europe provides tougher rivals like Lyon, Chelsea, and Wolfsburg.
- Staying motivated once you’re winning everything is the challenge.
The trophies will come – keeping the save interesting is the real test.
Chelsea
Chelsea are the modern queens of English football. Under Emma Hayes they became a winning machine with eight WSL titles, including six in a row from 2020–2025.
With stars like Sam Kerr and Lauren James, Chelsea have been miles ahead of the competition in England. The one thing missing is the Champions League. They reached the final in 2021 but were beaten by Barcelona, and they’ve been chasing success ever since.
The Challenge
Chelsea’s story is all about completing the set.
- Maintain dominance in the WSL.
- Win Chelsea’s first ever Champions League trophy.
- Keep a star-studded squad happy and motivated.
With one of the strongest squads in the game and big budgets to match, the toughest test is balancing egos and rotation while chasing Europe.
Difficulty
- Domestic titles should feel routine.
- Europe is where the real test comes.
- Managing a large, star-studded squad can cause issues.
Winning in England is comfortable – the Champions League defines this save.
Lyon
For a long time, Lyon were the undisputed queens of Europe. They won 14 league titles in a row, lifted the Champions League eight times, and built squads so strong they looked like all-star teams. Lyon also set the standard off the pitch, investing in professional facilities and contracts long before many others.
Their aura of invincibility isn’t quite the same these days. Barcelona have stolen a lot of the spotlight, and PSG are a real force in the league. But Lyon are still capable of challenging for, and winning, the biggest trophies.
The Challenge
For Lyon, it’s about sustaining a dynasty while preparing for the future.
- Keep PSG at bay in France.
- Challenge Barcelona, Chelsea, and Wolfsburg in Europe.
- Transition legends like Renard and Hegerberg into a new generation.
With resources and talent on your side, the biggest challenge is managing expectation – anything less than winning feels like failure.
Difficulty
- You have money, facilities, and superstars at your disposal.
- PSG are strong challengers in France.
- Barcelona and Chelsea threaten your dominance in Europe.
Lyon give you every advantage, but expectations are sky-high – slip and it feels like failure.
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg were Lyon’s biggest challengers during the 2010s and once halted their 118 match unbeaten run. They won back-to-back Champions League titles in 2013 and 2014, and have battled Bayern Munich for years in the Frauen-Bundesliga.
Legends like Martina Müller and Nadine Keßler helped build the club’s reputation, while players like Alexandra Popp and Janina Minge keep them competitive today. Even in 2023, they pushed Barcelona all the way in the Champions League final.
The Challenge
Wolfsburg are all about restoring German dominance.
- Compete with Bayern every season for the league title.
- Bring the Champions League back to Germany.
There’s quality in the squad, but unlike Chelsea or Lyon, you won’t have unlimited money. Smart signings and squad management are essential to stay competitive.
Difficulty
- Bayern will push you hard every season in the Frauen-Bundesliga.
- European progress means overcoming Barcelona, Lyon, and Chelsea.
- Budgets aren’t unlimited, so recruitment must be smart.
Strong enough to compete, but never far ahead of Bayern – Wolfsburg make every season a real contest.
So how do you decide which of the Big Five to manage in FM26? Think about what kind of story excites you most:
- Arsenal: take a fallen giant and restore them to the top.
- Chelsea: dominate domestically, but finally conquer Europe.
- Barcelona: chase perfection and see how far you can push it.
- Lyon: balance a dynasty with building the next generation.
- Wolfsburg: battle Bayern at home and bring German success back to Europe.
Each save guarantees trophies, drama, and world-class players – but the fun is in choosing the kind of challenge you want to tackle first.
