My 2026 predictions, fixing the ACL ‘problem’ and potential Sarina Wiegman replacements for England – Fara Williams column

Favourite moments of 2025

Away from football, England winning the Rugby World Cup was such an unbelievable moment for women’s sport in this country.

Also, Arsenal winning the Champions League as big underdogs against the best team in the women’s game in Barcelona was an incredible moment.

I was lucky enough to be there thanks to TNT Sports because I wouldn’t have attended that final without them so being in the stadium to watch them lift the trophy was unreal.

Wild celebrations as Arsenal lift Women’s Champions League trophy – ‘Made their own history’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Potential candidates to replace Wiegman

Before the turn of the year, Sarina Wiegman was saying that she was relaxed about her future with her contract with the Lionesses finishing following the 2027 World Cup.

I think that Sarina will step down from the job at some point but, hopefully, she will lead us into the next World Cup and maybe, for her, that will be enough. She has won back-to-back European championships with England, which have been fantastic, and will hopefully have two World Cup tournaments under her belt.

After that, she’ll probably be thinking about how much more can I do and can I motivate myself to continue doing the same thing?

In thinking about possible replacements, I’ve always wanted Emma Hayes to be in charge of England at some point but I don’t think that is realistic anymore because she is doing a great job with the United States.

I think Emma would be the perfect choice, especially as we’re starting to transition under Sarina and looking at a lot more younger players coming into the squad. I think Emma would be ideal for England moving forward.

Another possible candidate could be Nick Cushing because I really enjoyed what he achieved during his tenure at Manchester City. I’ve spoken to some players at the club who played under him and they enjoyed his style and the way he managed the players.

The next head coach after Sarina has to be someone who has managed in the women’s game before. I don’t think we need to go down that route of finding a high-profile candidate who has no experience of working with elite female footballers.

Obviously, it is hard to talk about a successor when we still want Sarina there, especially with the World Cup coming up, but Hayes and Cushing would be my main candidates for the job.

We need to prevent ACL injuries in 2026

There are so many different opinions about why there are so many ACL injuries across the women’s game. I know some people put it down to boots but I have a completely different outlook when it comes to that argument.

During our generation, we were part-time athletes even though I was lucky enough to get a full-time contract towards the end of my career and we wore the same boots that men wore.

There weren’t any specially-made women’s boots for us and there weren’t as many ACL injuries occurring when we played. I’m definitely not suggesting that we were fitter than the new generation but I just don’t think the boots are the main issue.

I remember a previous quote from Emma Hayes where she explained how the women’s game is modelled on the men’s game, and we are just viewed as “mini men”, which could also be part of the issue.

We’re not mini men, we’re women, and we’re very complex in terms of our differences to men and the mechanics of our bodies. There doesn’t seem to be much research out there on women’s bodies in sport and I’d suggest that most of it is all based on the men’s body and how that works.

In such a short space of time, the women’s game has gone from an amateur level of football, training just twice a week, to training every day with more games. That places more demand on the body but science doesn’t seem to be matching the growth on the pitch.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done before we start looking at the mechanics of a potential female-fitted boot because I think it’s bigger than that. Something has to be done. If the amount of ACL injuries were happening in the men’s game and top athletes and international players were regularly getting the same injury, the situation would be assessed.

Highlights: Cato header the difference as Palace see off spirited Lewes

Video credit: TNT Sports

This problem has been going on for the past three to four years in the women’s game and there has been nothing done to reduce the risk factors around that. Everybody needs to put their heads together and some research has to be done to prevent these injuries from happening.

It’s very rare that you return to your very best form because it’s such a massive injury.

Look at Sam Kerr at Chelsea. She is an unbelievable striker but she had the injury and was out for 22 months, so is she going to reach her previous levels of performance? Probably not.

The Germany international Lena Oberdorf recently tore her ACL just a month after coming back from a cruciate ligament injury, which means she’s out for another year.

It was also a massive shame to see Michelle Agyemang suffer an ACL injury earlier this season. She was coming off the back of being a national hero in the summer with the Lionesses at the Euros, so she had a big year ahead.

Michelle Agyemang is stretchered off after picking up an ACL injury with the Lionesses.

Image credit: Getty Images

I think her move to Brighton was a smart one in terms of getting more playing time and more exposure to develop as a player. I really feel for her, but I hope her recovery goes as well as possible.

I’ve been around people who have had long-term injuries and you do go through those dark times and it can be a lonely space. I hope she has good people around her to keep her spirits high, and it’ll help her build that mental toughness and resilience.

The injuries are not just happening in England but across European football and also in the United States. It is a massive problem. This year I’d love more money to be invested into finding out how we can prevent the number of ACLs.

Ones to watch in 2026

Chloe Sarwie – Chelsea

A young left-back who has just broken into the under-21s, she actually came on in Chelsea’s away tie in the Champions League against FC Twente.

I think she is ready to play WSL football but, given Chelsea’s current situation where they want to compete on all fronts, they probably won’t want to risk putting in a 16-year-old this season.

But I’d love to see her play because she has got such talent. If she can get more minutes on the pitch, she could be the answer to England’s left-back problem but she obviously needs more experience at the top level.

Olivia Holdt – Spurs

A Danish player who joined at the start of the season, she has been a great signing for Tottenham this year. She’s a creative midfielder who is very skilful and able to create and score goals by herself.

She has been a real breakthrough signing and not many knew about her before she arrived in the WSL but the Spurs manager knew her talents and it has worked out so far.

Olivia Holdt has enjoyed a fine debut season in the WSL

Image credit: Getty Images

Vicky Lopez – Barcelona

She has been around the Barcelona team for a while, but she’s only getting a real run of games in the first team now.

Naomi Girma – Chelsea

I’m excited to see her after she joined Chelsea for a record £900,000 in the last January transfer window but she has spent most of her time out with injury. I’ve heard that she is getting back to full fitness and is set to enjoy a run of games now, so I’ll be excited to see her quality.

I remember Hayes speaking highly of her a couple of years ago and Casey Stoney was also full of praise and these are people who I really respect in the game.

My 2026 Ballon d’Or candidates

I’ve always felt that Erin Cuthbert deserves to be in the Ballon d’Or conversation every year. I think she is so consistent but maybe doesn’t benefit from Scotland not reaching the big tournaments because she then doesn’t get recognised like other players do.

The Ballon d’Or is normally won by players who do well in the international tournaments or win the Champions League, which she has not managed to do.

Watch moment Dembele, Bonmati announced as Ballon d’Or winners

Video credit: TNT Sports

She is probably the most consistent player in recent years but, unfortunately, won’t be mentioned as a Ballon d’Or contender. That’s why I want to put her name out there.

I think that Germany international Klara Buhl has a great chance of winning it this year. She has enjoyed a good start in the Champions League and also played her part in Bayern Munich remaining unbeaten in the domestic league so far.

Melchie Dumornay is a contender, although she also probably doesn’t get the recognition she deserves.

Both of these players are at the top of their game, especially with their performances in the Champions League, so they’ve both got a great chance with Bonmati unfortunately out of contention due to injury.