World Cup qualifying buildup to England v Andorra, WSL Q&A and Football League - matchday live

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Get your questions in for Suzanne Wrack, please. RIGHT NOW (or before midday)

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Updated at 05.33 EDT

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Why is there so much secrecy around transfer costs in the women’s game? Is it harder for you and other reporters to find out the cost of players compared to the men’s game? Will this change any time soon? wonders Claire Pryke.

GOOD QUESTION! This is absolutely infuriating and we all work extremely hard to try and get this information as accurate as possible, requiring multiple sources. I hope it changes and clubs are more open and less prickly to this information being out there.

I feel like there is a view that if a buying club has spent big they don’t want other selling clubs to know because when they’re in the market again selling clubs will drive up prices accordingly. However, the reality is that everyone operating in that arena at club level knows exactly what money has changed hands and so the only people in the dark are the media and fans.

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I was surprised that Michelle Agyemang returned to Brighton on loan – a huge boost for them, but could Arsenal really not have done with her this season?” asks Olivia Burke.

I’d have loved to see Agyemang in an Arsenal shirt this season (as a not-so-secret fan) but I can completely understand the loan move. At Brighton the 19-year-old will be able to operate and get more WSL and starting experience with less of a harsh spotlight on her. I’m sure Arsenal will have made sure that Brighton will give her minutes before agreeing to the move as they are really hot on her development.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have a host of forwards capable of delivering. There may be times when Arsenal struggle and people wonder whether Agyemang could have been the difference, but sometimes the immediate interests of the club need to be put behind the development path of a player they see as having a long term future at the club.

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The record transfers this summer have been eye-catching but is women’s football mirroring the men’s game in leaving a substantial gulf under the best-resourced clubs? asks Steven Miller.

Yep, it’s definitely an issue. Despite the talk of doing things differently, the reality is that from a financial and commercial point of view the women’s game is increasingly mirroring the men’s. For many years I’ve been saying women’s football should look at a maximum wage as well as a good quality minimum wage and work on relegations to ensure the league remains competitive.

Trickle-down economics doesn’t work, and it doesn’t work in football. I’d like to see the 75/25% split of the broadcast money in favour of WSL over WSL2 flipped on its head, for example, closing the gap instead of enshrining an ever growing one.

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“What exactly happened in the WSL opener during the Lily Murphy incident [Mancherster City’s Murphy went down injured with what looked like a very serious arm or shoulder injury but play was not stopped immediately]? Why did Emily Heaslip wait until the ball went out of play despite [Chelsea ghoalkeeper] Hannah Hampton’s clear signalling of an urgent issue?” asks Jo Walsh.

It was a baffling incident. I’m not sure why they waited so long with an opposition player indicating it looked bad. Hampton came running over to the sidelines when the medics were on and looked to speak to Bompastor and seemed to be calling for the stretcher to get on. Fair play to the goalkeeper, but the officials need to do better.

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Updated at 07.39 EDT

“Last night, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was frustrated when Man City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita needed treatment early in the game, thinking it was a tactical time-out at a time when Chelsea were starting to build pressure. Has the level of cynicism grown in the time you’ve been watching and writing about women’s football? If so, is that an unavoidable consequence of the women’s game getting bigger and bigger?” asks Mandy Cooper.

Yes, goalkeepers going down for a little tactical time out has very much become the norm and been on the rise for several years. It’s slightly ironic that the frustrations have come from Bompastor, when former Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was a master of the tactical time out when Emma Hayes was in charge.

All teams do them, all opposition managers get frustrated by them. How do we stop them? Last night I floated that the keeper should have to be treated off the pitch and an outfield player go between the sticks. Alex Greenwood in goal when Yamashita goes down? Bunny Shaw? That would be fun and stop it.

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“Lots of praise for London City Lionesses making transfers this summer but haven’t they ended up massively over the WSL squad limit? What options do they have to fix this?” asks D Powell.

Good question, one I’ve had to canvass on more widely in the Arsenal media room. The maximum WSL squad size is 25 players and London City Lionesses have 29 players (and two others already out on loan). The reality is that four will not be able to be registered, I imagine that will be some of the younger players.

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A question for Suzanne from below the line …

I get frustrated when this question spills into criticism of a successful team investing in the women’s game (which is not the implication of the question, but I’m having a minor side rant). I agree it’s a bit of both, Chelsea’s constant success is probably also impacting their ability to significantly grow their own crowds.

The turnout at Stamford Bridge last night was disappointing, but a lack of jeopardy doesn’t necessarily get people out of their armchairs. The onus has to be on other clubs (and their owners) to invest and properly challenge Chelsea and at the top, WSL Football needs to regulate to make sure the league remains competitive. The raising of the minimum wage in the WSL and WSL2 is a step in the right direction in that respect.

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With all the investment they’ve had, can London City Lionesses become a genuine WSL force over the next few years?” asks Paula Anderson. “Also, do they have a realistic chance of breaking the top four this season or should we temper expectations?”

Given Michele Kang’s ongoing commitment and deep pockets I think we can say with a decent degree of certainty that London City Lionesses will be a serious force within the next few years, writes Suzanne Wrack. Top four this season is probably a stretch, but anything’s possible. The squad is stacked with top level experience and upcoming talent but it could take some time for them to gel and settle. That’s where teams bidding to break into the top four have fallen short before. Each team that has finished fifth in the last few years, has bought the following summer with ambitions of breaking into the top four but have struggled with the high turnover of players and fallen way short.

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Updated at 07.14 EDT

Good afternoon all. Our women’s football correspondent Suzanne Wrack is at the Emirates ahead of Arsenal’s match against the London City Lionesses (kick-off 1.30pm BST) and will be fielding your interrogatory projectiles shortly. There are already plenty for her to ponder but feel free to send any last-minute questions to matchdaylive@theguardian.com or else post them in the comments section below.

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Updated at 07.11 EDT

It’s time to hand over to Barry Glendenning, who has made a tremendous third-man run and will finish the work started by John Brewin and me. Thanks for your company, ta-ra.

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Refreshingly grown-up comments here from Dan Burn. I thought so anyway; I guess it’s easy for a neutral to say that.

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WSL Q&A with Suzanne Wrack

Any last questions for Suzanne? If so, please post them below the line or email matchday.live@theguardian.com by midday. Ish.

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Updated at 07.11 EDT

“Given the no-win nature of England’s game v Andorra,” writes Charles Antaki, “you might have said that Jarell Quansah drew the longest straw.”

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Here’s more on the news that Luis Enrique has broken his collarbone in a cycling accident.

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Despite several attempts to SLAM SHUT the transfer window in the men’s game, there’s a draught coming in from Turkey (until 12 September) and Saudi Arabia (23 September). No strong rumours to spready, but your club may yet be divested of a geriatico or two in the coming days.

In the meantime, knock yourself out with our spangly interactives of the transfers that really, really, really did happen this summer.

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The truth that dare not speak its name

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The September international break. Discuss.

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Let’s return to the subject of Tottenham Hotspur. Here’s Jonathan Wilson on Daniel Levy’s legacy

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England v Andorra (5pm BST, 6pm CEST, 12am AEST)

A bit of news ahead of this game: Jarell Quansah has drawn the short straw and will not be part of England’s 23-man matchday squad. Er, that’s it.

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As Krish said, Daniel Levy has been eased out of Tottenham after 25 years as chairman. David Pleat, who worked under Levy, assesses his impact.

Although Daniel had a reputation as a tough negotiator, he was no more tough than any other chairmen I have come across. He always tried to get the best deal for the club, and if a transfer was recommended and possible he did his utmost to secure it. People forget there are many facets in a transfer, including dealing with agents. Sir Alex Ferguson famously said Daniel was “more painful to deal with than a hip replacement” but let’s not forget Manchester United took Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick. Daniel was a loyal and hard-working custodian of Spurs, a genuine supporter who knew his job was to protect the club.

Many supporters regard winning as the only thing that matters but, generally speaking, the fan on the street doesn’t understand the intricacies of running a club. It is so difficult and that is amplified when so much revolves around emotion. Fans always wants more and more but it is not as easy as that.

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“Liverpool marching ahead,” interjects Krishnamoorthy V. “Arsenal faltering. Man City vying with Man Utd on who could be the worsened the two. Suarez is spitting and biting. England takes on one underwhelming opponent after another. Levy stepping down (or being moved aside) is the only news out of the ordinary. When did football world become so ordinary and predictable?”

April 1911. I was there and I’ll never forget it.

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Updated at 05.53 EDT

The highlight of the 2025-26 season is just days away: the first Football Weekly Live event in almost two years. Here’s how you can by tickets – either in person or for the ever popular livestream.

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England v Andorra (5pm BST)

Feel free to bookmark this page. You’re welcome.

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Get your questions in for Suzanne Wrack, please. RIGHT NOW (or before midday)

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Updated at 05.33 EDT

Brighton v Aston Villa (Sunday, 12pm)

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Liverpool v Everton (Sunday, 12pm)

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Denmark 0-0 Scotland

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Man Utd v Leicester City (Sunday, 12pm)

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Let’s run through a few more of our WSL team previews, done in order of this weekend’s fixtures.

Tottenham v West Ham (Sunday, 12pm)

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Thanks John, morning everyone. Would you like to read Nick Ames on thin ends and wedges? You should, it’s good (and depressing).

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The morning bell has sounded and so Rob Smyth takes the baton.

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Ahead of today’s London derby, our full season previews of both teams.

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Luis Enrique injured in cycling accident

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has broken his collarbone in a cycling accident and he’s set to undergo surgery. The club announced the news late Friday.

The 55-year-old Spaniard, a cycling enthusiast, led PSG to its first Champions League title last season and the team has won three straight games to open its Ligue 1 title defence. The club did not specify where the accident took place.

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The National League’s Premier division features an even longer trip.

Aldershot v. Brackley (KO 5.30)

Altrincham v. Sutton Utd (KO 12.30)

Boreham Wood v. Morecambe

Boston Utd v. Solihull Moors

Carlisle v. Truro City

Forest Green v. Hartlepool

Rochdale v. Braintree Town

Scunthorpe v. Wealdstone

Southend v. FC Halifax

Tamworth v. Eastleigh

Woking v. Gateshead

Yeovil v. York

Gateshead, Halifax, Braintree, Hartlepool, Morecambe and Sutton will all require the use of a service station but Carlisle to Truro takes the cake. Just the 7h 23m (434 mi), so for a 3pm kick-off, they set off probably around 5 am to fit in a pint.

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The EFL waits for nobody, unless there’s international call-ups.

League One

Bolton v. AFC Wimbledon

Doncaster v. Bradford

Huddersfield v. Peterborough

Lincoln City v. Wigan

Plymouth v. Stockport County

Port Vale v. Leyton Orient

Rotherham v. Exeter

Wycombe v. Mansfield

League Two

Barnet v. Shrewsbury

Barrow v. Swindon

Bromley v. Gillingham (KO 5.30)

Cambridge Utd v. Oldham

Cheltenham v. Accrington Stanley

Colchester v. Crewe

Harrogate Town v. Crawley Town

Milton Keynes Dons v. Grimsby

Newport County v. Bristol Rovers (KO 12.30)

Notts County v. Fleetwood Town

Salford City v. Tranmere

Walsall v. Chesterfield

Stockport and Swindon with long trips there.

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In out-of-character news, via PA Media.

Luis Suarez has been suspended for six matches after spitting at a Seattle Sounders coach at the end of Inter Miami’s 3-0 defeat in Sunday’s Leagues Cup final.

Miami teammates Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles were also suspended for their part in the altercation, along with Steven Lenhart, a member of the Sounders coaching staff.

The ban only relates to Leagues Cup matches, although Major League Soccer (MLS) could impose further punishment. A statement from the cup competition’s organising committee said Suarez had been reported by match officials for spitting.

He will be ineligible to play in next season’s tournament, which pits MLS teams against clubs from Mexico’s Liga MX, and, potentially, into the following season. Busquets was banned for two matches, Aviles for three and Lenhart for five, all for violent conduct.

The statement said all four had also been fined.

On Thursday, former Liverpool striker Suarez said he “sincerely regrets” his part in the melee when he also grabbed an opposition player by the neck.

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Feels like international break fatigue is setting in already.

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Things you never thought you’d see, and really don’t want to see: Boris Johnson in conversation with Nottingham Forest president Evangelos Marinakis. The Greek tycoon has some interesting views on the Ukraine-Russia war, one that rather contravenes his stance on Morgan Gibbs-White being allowed to join Tottenham.

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If England can make it four wins from four – and it would be one hell of a shock if they didn’t – Ireland’s campaign begins this evening in a four-team group. They really need a win over Hungary to set the ball rolling.

Heimir Hallgrimsson, the 58-year-old Icelander took charge in July last year and has since been gearing up for the qualifying campaign.

Hallgrimsson’s record to date is modest - he has won four competitive games and lost four, albeit two of them to England in the Nations League - in addition to two friendly draws, but he is confident the squad he inherited from Stephen Kenny has developed and continues to do so.

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Your World Cup qualifying action today:

7.45 pm BST unless stated

Group F: Armenia v Portugal (1700BST), Republic of Ireland v Hungary

Group H: Austria v Cyprus. San Marino v Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group K: England v Andorra (1700BST), Latvia v Serbia (1400BST).

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Updated at 05.20 EDT

Feels like much of the England camp has involved discussing the recently closed transfer window. Dan Burn on Alexander Isak was the order of the day on Friday.

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About last night, Denmark 0-0 Scotland was a tough watch but a decent result for Steve Clarke. Scotland don’t find goals easy to come by – their leading scorers are still Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish on 30 each.

Clarke sprang a surprise with the deployment of two strikers, Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes, from the outset. “If I am not brave, I might as well not be in the job,” said the manager. Equally striking was the sight of John McGinn, who has typically operated on the left or centre of midfield for his country, on the right. Rasmus Højlund, fresh from his loan move from Manchester United to Napoli, was among Denmark’s replacements.

Much-needed win for Italy.

Italy opened Gennaro Gattuso’s reign as manager with a 5-0 home win over Estonia in World Cup qualifying, wasting chances for almost an hour before exploding in the final stages of the second half to turn dominance into a rout.

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Remember the 39th game? Well, it could be coming to a football league near you, should Uefa allow a regular-season Liga game to be played in Miami, and a Serie A match to be played in Perth – that’s Western Australia not Caledonia.

There are no illusions that, even if permission is granted only for these individual cases, this genie can be squeezed back into the bottle. Nobody could consider that realistic having heard the Serie A president, Ezio Simonelli, say last month that he would have liked to play the league’s entire first round on foreign soil.

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Below the line comments are open, so why not let us know what your plans are for today?

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Ahead of Arsenal v London City, Suzanne Wrack, our lead women’s football writer, will join us for a Q&A on all matters WSL and beyond.

Get in touch at: Matchday.live@theguardian.com

Last night’s action for starters? Big, statement win for Chelsea.

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Updated at 03.20 EDT

Preamble

Good morning, Guardian Football. It’s international weekend, but that doesn’t stop our live coverage of your football weekend. The World Cup is fewer than 300 days away – 278 to be precise – and there’s actually a lot to be decided. The key fixture here is England v Andorra at Villa Park, what with Coldplay at Wembley. They never meant to cause trouble, they never meant to cause harm and instead Thomas Tuchel’s barmy army will play in Birmingham.

Join us we build up to that, the WSL, where it’s a London derby between Arsenal and big-spending London City. Just join us.

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Updated at 03.16 EDT

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