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FFA Cup returns to put local clubs back in the spotlight
The sixth edition of the FFA Cup will again showcase some of the best talents from around Australia’s National Premier Leagues.
NPL sides have had to make it through their state’s preliminary rounds of qualifying, with those successful sides set to begin their FFA Cup venture when Matchday 1 of the Round of 32 begins tonight (Wednesday July 24).
On an opening night dominated by NPL match ups and local ties, there will be plenty of sides able to make it past to the next round and eventually test themselves against one of the A-League clubs (excluding Western United).
The FFA Cup will continue to reward NPL sides for every goal they score and allow players to express themselves and make the next step in their career. Being on the big stage is a massive incentive for any local-level club or player with the opportunity to prove their worth.
The Magic of the Cup will be in full swing, with upsets once again a realistic possibility given A-League sides are only in their pre-season.
It could even be the first year in the FFA Cup’s history that an NPL team will go all the way to the Grand Final – a moment to remember when it first transpires.
Fans will have a variety of ways to view this year’s FFA Cup if they’re unable to attend the game. All games can be found on Fox Sports, Kayo, the My Football app or via a stream from Fox Sports’ website.
Football Australia has unveiled the “Australian Championship,” a groundbreaking new competition that promises to reshape the nation’s football landscape.
Officially launching in October 2025, the Championship will serve as a vital bridge between state-based competitions and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s system, bringing clubs, players, and communities closer together.
This announcement comes on the heels of the October confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format, marking a significant milestone in Australian football.
The Australian Championship will provide a national platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent while fostering stronger connections with fans and communities across the country.
Competition Format and Vision
The Australian Championship will feature 16 teams competing in a dynamic format designed to balance competitive integrity and fan engagement. The competition will include:
Group Stage: Four groups of four teams playing home-and-away fixtures.
Elimination Finals: The top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds.
Grand Final: The inaugural champion to be crowned in December 2025.
This structure highlights Football Australia’s ambition to create an inclusive, exciting, and commercially sustainable competition that celebrates the depth of Australian football talent.
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson spoke on the importance of this announcement for the future of Australian football.
“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition,” Johnson said in the press release.
“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”
Founding Clubs and National Representation
The competition will include eight Foundation Clubs with storied histories, such as APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW), representing some of the strongest footballing traditions in the country.
Joining them will be eight Member Federation clubs drawn from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across all states and territories.
This model ensures representation from every corner of the national football community, giving grassroots and state-level clubs an opportunity to compete on a larger stage.
Core Pillars of the Australian Championship
The Australian Championship aims to unite Australian football under the following key values:
Authenticity: Honouring historic clubs, iconic venues, and long-standing rivalries.
Discovery: Showcasing emerging talent and rising stars from across the nation.
Connection: Strengthening ties between grassroots, state competitions, and professional pathways.
Pride and Belonging: Celebrating football’s ability to bring players, fans, and communities together.
A New Era for Australian Football
With its launch, the Australian Championship is set to redefine the country’s domestic football ecosystem, creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and fans. Football Australia’s initiative reflects a commitment to building a thriving national competition while staying true to the rich heritage and passion that underpin Australian football.
As October 2025 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s sporting history.
In a landmark initiative for women’s football, FIFA has unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at reaching 60 million female players worldwide by 2027.
The comprehensive plan, supported by 13 distinct development programmes, is available to all 211 FIFA Member Associations, marking a significant step forward in the sport’s global evolution.
FIFA also took the announcement to highlight the achievements for women’s football in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC).
The recently enhanced FIFA Women’s Development Programme underscores the organisation’s strengthened commitment to expanding the women’s game.
The upcoming 2025 calendar promises several groundbreaking developments for women’s football.
The Philippines will host the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, while Morocco makes history as the first African nation to stage the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The latter tournament sees significant expansion, growing from 16 to 24 teams and shifting to an annual format.
International competition reaches new heights with continental championships scheduled across multiple confederations.
The pathway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 commences with African qualification matches, while major regional tournaments including the UEFA Women’s EURO and OFC Women’s Nations Cup will crown new champions.
In a significant advancement for club football, all six confederations will host their respective continental club championships for the first time.
This renewed focus comes amid unprecedented growth in participation rates, particularly evident in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-host nations.
New Zealand has reported a remarkable 27 per cent surge in female participation since 2022, with particularly strong growth among Māori and Pasifika communities, showing a 14 per cent increase.
A strategic partnership between New Zealand Football and Māori Football Aotearoa further strengthens grassroots development.
New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell voiced the federations successful results.
“The expansion of football and futsal in Aotearoa New Zealand has been extraordinary, with the Women’s World Cup serving as a genuine catalyst for growth,” he explained via official FIFA press release.
Across the Tasman, Football Australia’s Growing Football Fund Community Grants programme continues to foster development at the grassroots level.
The latest round of funding benefits 118 recipients, complementing the 121 projects supported in March 2024.
This initiative particularly emphasises regional development, with nearly half the grants allocated to areas outside major metropolitan centres.
The grants provide essential support for women’s football development, encompassing coach education, introductory programmes, and vital equipment procurement, further cementing the sport’s foundation at the community level.
Also within the AFC, footballing powerhouse Japan has successfully hosted the continent’s first female-exclusive Pro Licence coaching course.
A collaborative effort between FIFA, AFC, and the Japan Football Association (JFA), represents a significant milestone in professional football development.
The intensive seven-day course attracted participants from fourteen nations, featuring presents such as AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh and Japan men’s national team coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Participants gained valuable practical experience through observations of pre-season training sessions at both J.League and Nadeshiko League clubs.
JFA Technical Director Masanaga Kageyama emphasised the programme’s strategic importance and inclusivity.
“This course is a joint AFC/JFA initiative to increase the number of top-level, professionally licensed female coaches in Asia. It aims to provide existing talents with additional advice to help them achieve greater success in their current coaching positions and secure future success,” Kageyama explained via official FIFA press release.
This initiative aligns with JFA’s renowned long-term development philosophy and a significant advancement in creating pathways for women in professional football coaching.
This newly improved strategy at the global scale will hopefully allow for more women in both professional and amateur spaces to get the opportunities they deserve in football.
It also highlight’s that AFC & OFC nations, including Australia, will have a strong place within the growth of women’s football.
Read more on the FIFA Women’s Development Program here.