Women's Football in FM26: Club Challenges and Wonderkids

Yesterday, we covered the best women’s football clubs and players that you can manage when they become playable for the first time in Football Manager 26. And, with the FM26 Advanced Access Beta dropping later today, we’re following that up with the best challenges and young female footballers to look out for in the new game.

In this guide, we’ve picked out some lesser-fancied clubs that you can work with to challenge the elite. We’ll then explore potential wonderkids that we think could become the stars of women’s football on FM26. And these lists are in alphabetical order.

Best Women's Football Challenges in FM26

With 11 countries playable in FM26 but only three second-tier divisions available (in England, Spain and Sweden), there’s less choice when it comes to rags-to-riches type stories in women’s football. However, here are a few exciting challenges for you to take control of a smaller club and lead them to glory, with at least one from every playable country in the game:

Secció Esportiva AEM (Spain)

We’ll kick off in the second tier of Spanish football. AEM is one of three playable Spanish women’s teams that aren’t affiliated with a men’s team (along with fellow tier-two side CP Cacereño). Very little information is available about the Lleida-based club, which was only founded in 2003. But you will get to work with Uruguay international striker Yamila Badell.

Your unenviable task is to lead AEM out of the second tier for the first and overcome the might of Barcelona to win Liga F.

Alingsås IF (Sweden)

This may be one of the most difficult saves on the entirety of FM26, attempting to lead little Alingsås to Swedish glory. The club, based just outside Gothenburg, only gained promotion to Damallsvenskan last year, and very little information is available about it. Although its Facebook account recently announced Tilde Karlsson was called up to the Swedish national team for a match against Finland.

Your mission is to take on this Swedish minnow and build it up to become the dominant force in the country.

Angel City Football Club (United States)

Since the National Women's Soccer League launched in 2013, seven of the 14 teams have been US champions, which will become eight with Kansas City Current dominating the league. Two California clubs have been added in the last three years, Angel City and Bay FC, and both find themselves in the bottom half of the table this campaign. Our tip is to take control of Angel City, which is co-owned by the likes of America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Mia Hamm and Natalie Portman and is considered the world’s most valuable women’s sports team after being purchased by Walt Disney Company CEO, Bob Iger. 

Your mission is to use that financial backing (which may or may not be reflected in-game) to develop the world’s best youth system and lead Angel City to its maiden title.

Boston Legacy FC or Denver Summit FC (USA)

The USA’s NWSL is expanding to 26 teams with the addition of Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC ahead of the 2026 campaign. This very much relies on that expansion being built into FM26 but, if it is, holiday to the start of the 2026 season and take on the challenge of managing one of these brand new franchises.

Brighton & Hove Albion FC Women (England)

Only four clubs have won the Women's Super League since it launched in 2011 - Arsenal (3), Liverpool (2), Manchester City (1) and Chelsea (8). One of the most interesting options to become the fifth winner is Brighton, who have plenty of attacking threat in former England midfielder Fran Kirby, now 32, and England’s summer hero Michelle Agyemang on loan from Arsenal. Other players to watch out for include 22-year-old captain Maisie Symonds, who was called up to the England squad for the first time in March but is yet to make her international debut, 24-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who’s considered one of the world’s best keepers, and Japanese attacker Kiko Seike.

Your mission is to build an exciting young Brighton side - potentially leaning on the men’s team’s approach of snapping up unknown youth from around the world - to usurp England’s dominant forces.

Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies (Japan)

Only three clubs - INAC Kobe Leonessa, Tokyo Verdy Beleza and Urawa Red Diamonds - have won Japan’s WE League, which gives you nine opportunities to lead a club to its maiden title. The biggest challenge to achieve that feat may be Cerezo Osaka, the most recent team to be added to the league when it gained promotion in 2023/24 and finished 12th out of 12 teams in its first campaign.

Your challenge is to build an exciting young team of homegrown Japanese players to take the fight to the country’s bigger clubs.

Durham Women’s FC (England)

Durham is one of only two independent women’s football clubs (as in, not affiliated with a men’s club) in the top two leagues of English football and the only one in WSL2. The club was founded in 2014 as a collaboration between Durham University and successful local youth side South Durham & Cestria Girls, which won the 2011 Gothia World Youth Cup. Durham have played in WSL2 since the WSL expansion in 2014, recording record highs of 4th place in 2016 and 2018, as well as two FA Cup quarter finals in 2018 and 2019. 

The best players at Durham include Venezuela international striker Mariana Speckamaier, midfielder Mollie Lamber, 19-year-old attacker Poppy Pritchard, who’s on loan from Manchester City. There’s also an intriguing dynamic that (for now at least) you’ll only see in women’s football with married couple Becky Silicki, the club’s record appearances holder, and Beth Hepple both in your squad.

Your mission is to take Durham to the next step, ending their long stay in WSL2 by reaching the new heights of WSL. And, from there, build a team capable of usurping England’s big clubs to become the first independent WSL champion. 

Inter Women (Italy)

Inter Women, founded in 2018, is definitely a team on the rise, having qualified for the Champions League for the first time last season. Inter play at the historic Arena Civica, which first opened in 1807 and was the home of the men’s team between 1930 and 1947. The best players at Inter include Icelandic goalkeeper Cecilia Rúnarsdóttir, who had Serie A’s best save percentage and led the league with 10 clean sheets last season, German midfielder Lina Magull and goal machine striker Tessa Wullaert, Belgium’s all-time record goalscorer with 93 in 146 caps.

Your challenge is to usurp the increasingly dominant Juventus, surpass city rivals AC Milan’s four titles, establish Inter as the best team in Italy, and become the country’s first-ever European champions.

Le Havre AC (France)

Managing any club other than OL Lyonnes in France is sure to be one of the biggest challenges in FM26. So you may as well make it an interesting one by taking control of Les Havraises, who only returned to France’s top tier last season.

Your mission is to develop the best youth system in France and use it to take down the might of Lyon.

London City Lionesses (England)

England’s Lionesses may have conquered Europe in the last two Euros, but another option to take on the English elite is WSL newcomers London City Lionesses. The club was only founded in 2019 as a breakaway from Millwall Lionesses, but has made rapid strides under the leadership of ambitious owner Michele Kang, who also owns OL Lyonnes. Last season, they became the first fully independent team to gain promotion to WSL, then brought in 16 new players led by France international Grace Geyoro - for whom the club refuted claims it set a new world record fee on deadline day - exciting English striker Nikita Parris and former Arsenal and Lyon midfielder Danielle van de Donk. 

So your challenge is to survive the first season, then surpass fellow London sides Chelsea and Arsenal to claim the Lionesses’ maiden league title.

Madrid Club de Fútbol Femenino (Spain)

Madrid CFF has no affiliation with the big Madrid clubs, despite its all-white kits in honour of Real Madrid. Founded in 2010, the club started out in the regional leagues before moving up to Segunda División in 2013. Four years later, despite unfounded rumours that it would be taken over by Real Madrid before the Bernabeu side launched its own women’s team, Madrid CFF gained promotion to the top tier. That made Madrid CFF the only independent women’s team in Liga F, and it’s established itself as a solid mid-table side, including a 6th-place finish in 2024.

Your mission is to build on Madrid CFF’s solid position by developing a youth system that rivals the Spanish giants. And, using that youth system, become the first independent club to win the Spanish title since Oroquieta Villaverde in 1999.

FC Midtjylland (Denmark)

Only three of the 10 teams in Denmark’s top tier have never been national champions: Aarhus GF, Kolding IF and newly promoted FC Midtjylland. In fact, the club was only founded in July 2024, having absorbed B-Liga side Vildbjerg SF, but gained promotion in its first season. The Danish title has been shared around the likes of current holders and joint-record 12-time winners Fortuna Hjørring, HB Køge, who won their first three titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and first-time winners FC Nordsjaelland in recent years. 

Your challenge is to help newbies Midtjylland first of all retain its place in the top tier, then work them into that title mix.

Real Madrid Femeníno (Spain)

Think of Real Madrid, and you probably imagine a club with countless successes to its name. However, Real Madrid Femeníno was only founded in 2021 and has yet to overcome the might of Barcelona - so it doesn't have a single trophy to its name. It's finished 2nd in four of its five seasons, and 3rd in the other, so the next step is to usurp Barca and win that first Spanish title. You'll have Colombian starlet Linda Caicedo to build around, as well as Scottish midfielder Caroline Weir and exciting Spain international Athenea del Castillo.

Your challenge is to continue building an exciting young Real Madrid side to win its first Spanish title. But overcoming that ludicrous Barca team is no easy feat.

The New Saints FC Women (Wales)

The New Saints Ladies was founded in 2002, before adopting the name Wem Town LFC after being disappointed with women’s football being low on the priorities of the TNS men’s team. However, the women’s side was refounded under the new name in 2021 and became Wales’ women’s fourth semi-professional club last year. However, TNS Women have yet to win a Welsh title, which has been dominated by Swansea and Cardiff for the last six seasons. 

Therefore, your challenge is to build a TNS Women's side capable of taking on the big two in Wales.

Umeå Idrottsklubb (Sweden)

Dropping down to the Swedish second tier brings us to an intriguing rebuild challenge. You may remember the name Umeå IK for bringing the club that brought Brazil legend Marta, widely considered the best female footballer ever, to Sweden in 2004. It also won seven Swedish titles between 2000 and 2008, including Marta leading an invincible season in 2006. However, the loss of several star players and an enforced restructure to avoid going bankrupt in 2011 led to a gradual decline. The club was relegated in 2016 and again in 2020 and 2022, and it currently resides in the second-tier Elitettan.

Your mission is to restore Umeå IK to its former glory, leading it back into Damallsvenskan and claiming its first title in approaching 20 years.

Wellington Phoenix (Australia)

Fancy a challenge of winning a women’s league with a club from a different country? Wellington Phoenix is potentially your only opportunity to do that in FM26. The New Zealand club joined Australia’s A-League in 2021, but this season’s finish of 9th is the highest in the club’s history so far. The best players at Wellington include promising 20-year-old striker Manaia Elliott, who’s already got three caps for New Zealand, and Nepalese striker Sabitra Bhandari (also known as Samba), who’s South Asia’s record female goalscorer, the first Nepalese player to score in a European league and the first South Asian player to score a hat trick in a leading European league.

So your challenge is to bolster the Wellington squad for a chance to win the Australian title with a club from New Zealand.

Best Women's Wonderkids In FM26

If you’re taking on an unfancied side, you also need to know the best young players that could help you build a team of wonderkids. However, the more we manage in the women’s database in FM26, the more we’ll expand our wonderkid knowledge. That said, we’ve compiled a list of potential superstars aged 22 or under to target in FM26.

Michelle Agyemang (Brighton, on loan from Arsenal)

Where else to begin this wonderkid list than Lionesses hero Agyemang, who won Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2025. Agyemang has scored 3 goals in 5 caps for England, but hasn’t been so lethal domestically, with 3 goals in 19 games at Brighton last season.

Ainhoa Alguacil (Valencia)

The future of Spanish football is very bright with talents like Alguacil coming through the ranks. Alguacil made her Valencia debut aged just 15 in 2021 and established herself as a regular starter in the midfield, showcasing an impressive passing range.

Jule Brand (OL Lyonnes)

Exciting winger Brand’s reputation was enhanced by becoming the maiden winner of the Golden Girl award in 2022. Now 22, and already with 65 caps to her name, the German signed for OL Lyoness in the summer after two DFB-Pokal Frauen successes at Wolfsburg.

Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)

Colombian winger Caicedo, 20, is rapid and has an eye for goal. Caicedo made her debut for América de Cali aged just 14, then scored 7 in 7 to lead the club to the national title. Aged 14! She scored 16 in 37 for Deportivo Cali before earning a move to Madrid in 2023. Her goal tally has slowed a little in Spain, with 14 in 64 league games, but she's already scored 17 in 51 for Colombia, won the Golden Ball at Copa America Femenina aged 18 in 2022, and won the Golden Girl award in 2023.

Giulia Dragoni (AS Roma, on loan from Barcelona)

Milan-born Dragoni became the youngest player in Serie A history when she made her Inter Milan debut 13 days after her 16th birthday in 2022. Two months later, her potential was recognised by Barcelona, where she impressed for the B team. She played five league games for Barca before going on loan to Roma last season and has returned there for the current campaign. Heralded for her dribbling and passing ability from central midfield, Dragoni already has 12 caps for Italy and is considered one of the best young talents in Europe.

Dudinha (San Diego Wave)

Dudinha backs up having arguably the coolest name on this list with impressive ability. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder was a star at youth levels before becoming a regular starter for São Paulo in 2023, displaying superb ball control and creativity and scoring long-range screamers. That talent earned her a move to US side San Diego Wave this summer, she's already scored twice in three caps for Brazil, and she looks set to become a global star.

Signe Gaupset (Brann)

Looking for a wonderkid you might actually be able to sign? Pop Gaupset at the top of that list. The Norwegian midfielder scored twice and created the other to win the Norwegian Cup for Brann when she was just 17, and was prolific at youth levels. Now 19, her creativity, shooting ability and impressive form in the Champions League, including an equaliser to earn a draw with OL Lyonnes, is sure to attract attention from the world's biggest clubs.

Aline Gomes (North Carolina Courage)

Another exciting Brazilian talent, Gomes offers next-level footballing intelligence. The 19-year-old scored 10 goals in 16 games in her first senior season for Ferrevario, which earned her first call-ups to the Brazil national team and a move to the US with North Carolina Courage in July. She has a very direct style of play and is equally adept at playing wide or as a striker.

Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)

Staying in the US, combative midfielder Hutton cites Sergio Busquets and Ronaldinho as her idols, but possesses similar qualities to the former, including great vision, technical skill and solid defensive ability. The 19-year-old came through the college system before signing for Kansas City in December 2023, and started all but one game for the Current last season, and is on track to win the NWSL title this season. She ranked second in the NWSL tackling charts during the regular season and was nominated for Rookie of the Year.

Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea)

Versatile Dutch midfielder Kaptein won a league title with FC Twente aged 17, before earning a move to Chelsea. The energetic midfielder has good vision and passing skills, and pairs strong attacking talent with solid defensive capabilities, making her the ideal box-to-box midfielder. The youngest player to represent the Netherlands at a World Cup, she’s won 24 caps at the age of 20, and came 3rd in the inaugural Kopa Trophy last month.

Toko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur)

Japanese 19-year-old Koga signed for Spurs from Feyenoord this summer. She impressed enough to go to the 2023 World Cup for experience, and played every match but one as Japan lost the Olympic Final to the US on penalties. 

Vicky López (Barcelona)

Madrid-born attacking midfielder López became the youngest player to debut for Barcelona in 2022. Still only 19, she’s already scored 24 goals in 90 league games and 4 in 15 caps for Spain. Furthermore, she won two league titles and two Champions Leagues before she even turned 18! López undoubtedly possesses generational talent, including incredible skills, movement and individual game-winning brilliance. Indeed, she succeeded Caicedo as the Golden Girl winner in November and won the inaugural Kopa Trophy last month.

Kishi Núñez (Boca Juniors)

Scouting South American wonderkids is one of the great joys of Football Manager, and a player to pop at the top of your scoutlist is 19-year-old Boca striker Núñez. Starting her career at Argentinos Juniors, Núñez became the club’s record goalscorer with 30 goals at the age of 16, earning a move to Boca in 2022. She scored a debut hat trick in a 3-1 win over Racing and has 3 goals in 15 caps for Argentina. 

Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona)

Paralluelo is arguably already one of the stars of women's football but, at the age of 21, it's worth having her in this wonderkid list. A former sprinter, Paralluelo offers pace to burn and a ridiculous goalscoring record of 23 in 37 for Villarreal and 38 in 53 for Barcelona - including 20 in 19 league games in 2023/24 - plus 14 in 35 for Spain. She's the only player to have won all three women's World Cup formats, backing up the 2018 U17 World Cup and 2022 U20 World Cup with Spain’s World Cup win in 2023.

Casey Phair (Angel City FC)

Exciting teenager Phair had scored 4 goals in 5 caps for South Korea before she'd even played a domestic match. Phair also became the youngest player to feature in a World Cup when she made her debut aged 16 years and 26 days in 2023. Born in South Korea, Phair’s family moved to the US when she was one month old, and she was raised in New Jersey. She signed for Angel City FC through the NWSL Under-18 Entry Mechanism in January, and has played five league games to date, while adding 12 more caps for South Korea.

Sheika Scott (Alajuelense)

Costa Rican phenom Scott may be one of the easier wonderkids to snap up on FM26. Still playing in her homeland, the 18-year-old attacker scored in the Costa Rican Premier Division aged just 14 and made an impression as a 16-year-old at the 2023 World Cup.

Sydney Schertenleib (Barcelona)

Yet another potential superstar at Barcelona is Swiss midfielder Schertenleib. Still only 18, Schertenleib came through at FC Zürich, where she played with boys teams until she was 15 and led the club to a FIFA Youth Cup success over OL Lyonnes in 2022. She moved to city rivals Grasshopper in 2023, before joining Barca a year later. And she’s already scored two goals in eight caps for Switzerland. 

Alara Şehitler (FC Bayern)

Şehitler was the star of the Under 17 Euros aged just 15 in 2022, where her deadly left foot was a threat from range and set pieces. The midfielder, now 18, has an eye for the spectacular and already has 5 goals in 32 league games for Bayern.

Momoko Tanikawa (FC Bayern)

Tanikawa has developed a reputation for scoring impressively accurate long-range efforts with both feet. The 20-year-old has fantastic technique and dribbling ability, evidenced by earning a move to FC Bayern before a loan to Sweden with FC Rosengård, where she scored 16 goals in 20 games. And she’s already scored 3 goals in 9 caps for Japan.

Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes)

Last, but certainly by no means least, is 18-year-old attacker Yohannes, who opted to play for the US over the Netherlands. Yohannes signed for Ajax in 2023 and became the youngest player to start a Women’s Champions League game aged 16. Her performances in the Netherlands earned a move to OL Lyonnes this summer, and she scored on her debut against Marseille.

Exciting Women’s Football Challenges in FM26

Those are our suggestions for the most interesting club challenges and wonderkid signings when women’s football drops in the FM26 Advanced Access Beta later today. But we’re excited to dig into the database to broaden our knowledge and unearth wonderkids we’ve never heard of.

Which clubs are you looking to manage in FM26? And are there any female wonderkids we’re not yet aware of? Let us know by leaving a comment below!