It wasn’t the result we were hoping for, but what a tournament the Fifa Women’s World Cup turned out to be. Top tier entertainment and football to boot, it was an opportunity to watch the best of the best go head-to-head – and to once more cheer on our much-loved Lionesses.

Challenges – including long-term injuries to Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby and a two-match ban for ‘cheat code’ Lauren James after she received a red card in the round of 16 game against Nigeria – had England fans questioning whether this year could really be our year. But the history-making team, led by captain Millie Bright, displayed their quality and trademark resilience and, despite these obstacles, went on to earn second place. There’s no doubt a hum of disappointment could be felt among supporters post-final, but accompanying this is an overwhelming feeling of pride and of excitement – there’s more to come from this team.

If, like us, you spent this morning mourning the lack of televised footie to accompany your cuppa now that the tournament is over, we’re here to tell you that there is so much women’s football to look forward to this year and next. Keep scrolling to find out when you can get your next fix.

Don’t fret – our favourite footballers will be reunited next month for the Uefa Women’s Nations League. On Friday 22 September they’ll play Scotland at the Stadium of Light Stadium in Sunderland (tickets are still available, if you’re keen to catch them play IRL), and they’ll come up against the Netherlands in an away match on the 26 September.

They’re back on home soil on 27 October to play Belgium at the King Power Stadium in Leicester (tickets for this match have sold out), before meeting all three teams a second time before the end of the year.

All games will be televised on ITV, though specific channels are yet to be confirmed.

If September feels like forever to wait to watch the Lionesses take to the pitch again, good news – 20 of the 23 squad members, including captain Millie Bright, play in the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL), so you can watch them week-in, week-out.

The WSL is England’s highest league for female footballers. It’s run by the Football Association and features 12 professional teams: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Everton, Liverpool, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Brighton & Hove and Bristol City. 

Each team meets twice during a season (once at home, once away), with a weekly (give or take) game. Teams secure three points for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss – the team with the most points at the end of the season wins the league. Chelsea were crowned champions for a fourth successive season at the end of the 2022-23 season, which concluded in May of this year, while Reading were relegated to the Women’s Championship and Bristol City won promotion.

So, who plays where?

Chelsea:

• Millie Bright

• Lauren James

• Jess Carter

• Niamh Charles

• Hannah Hampton

Manchester City:

• Alex Greenwood

• Ellie Roebuck

• Lauren Hemp

• Esme Morgan

• Laura Coombs

• Chloe Kelly

Manchester United:

• Mary Earps

• Ella Toone

• Katie Zelem

Arsenal:

• Alessia Russo

• Lotte Wubben-Moy

Aston Villa:

• Rachel Daly

• Jordan Nobbs

Tottenham Hotspur:

• Bethany England

Brighton & Hove:

• Katie Robinson

Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, when fit, both play for Arsenal, while Fran Kirby plays for Chelsea.

Many of the Matildas’ World Cup squad members also play in the WSL:

Chelsea:

• Sam Kerr

Arsenal:

• Steph Catley

• Caitlin Foord

West Ham United:

• Mackenzie Arnold

Brighton & Hove:

• Lydia Williams

Manchester City:

• Alanna Kennedy

• Mary Fowler

Leicester City:

• Courtney Nevin

Everton:

• Clare Wheeler

Tottenham Hotspur:

• Kyah Simon

The first matches of the season kick-off on Sunday 1 October, when you can watch:

• Arsenal v Liverpool on The FA Player, 2pm

• Aston Villa v Man United on the BBC, 12.30pm

• Bristol City v Leicester City on The FA Player, 2pm

• Chelsea v Tottenham on Sky Sports, 5.30pm

• Everton v Brighton on The FA Player, 1pm

• West Ham v Man City on The FA Player, 3pm

Lionesses defender Lucy Bronze and midfielder Keira Walsh both play for Barcelona in Spain’s Liga F league, while Georgia Stanway plays for Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga (Germany’s league).

The UWCL is a European women’s football competition that comprises top club teams from countries affiliated. In England, the WSL champions, runners-up and the team that places third all qualify for the UWCL the following season (so, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have all qualified for the 2023-2024 season). Bayern Munich and Barcelona (last season’s winner) have also qualified.

The first games kick off on 6 September when Arsenal will come up against Swedish team Linköping in the group stage. 

Images: Getty