Chelsea Women have confirmed their starting lineup for the first competitive match of the 2026/27 season, a Women's Champions League third qualifying round first leg against Real Sociedad at Plough Lane. Head coach Sonia Bompastor named her first official XI, featuring new signing Katie McCabe and naming defender Naomi Girma as captain for the tie.
This information was first reported by the club's official site. The Blues, who finished third in last season's Women's Super League, must navigate this two-legged qualifier to reach the league phase of Europe's premier competition. Their final 2025 league table shows a strong campaign with 49 points from 22 games, including 15 wins and only three losses, and a recent form of four wins and a draw.
Who starts in the Champions League qualifier?
Bompastor's selected team lines up with Hannah Hampton in goal. The defensive unit consists of Ellie Carpenter, captain Naomi Girma, Aniek Buurman, and new arrival Katie McCabe. The midfield trio is Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken, and Alyssa Thompson. The attacking line is completed by Lauren James, Ashley Baltimore, and Aggie Beever-Jones.
This lineup represents a significant moment for Bompastor as she begins her first full season in charge. The inclusion of McCabe from the start indicates the Irish international is set for an immediate role. The team scored 44 goals last season while conceding 20, demonstrating the attacking threat they will aim to carry into Europe.
Which new signings are on the bench?
The substitutes' bench offers a glimpse at further squad depth and new talent. Fellow summer arrivals Giulia Dragoni, Nelly Las, and Melvine Malard are all listed among the replacements. They are joined by Lucy Bronze, Jelena Cankovic, Maika Hamano, Charlotte Potter, Marisa Kaptein, and goalkeeper duo Lucy Peng and Katie Spencer.
This depth will be vital across a long season. The absence of Manaka Matsukubo, confirmed by Bompastor in her pre-match press conference due to injury, is a notable miss. Fans can track the availability of all players on the club's injuries page throughout the campaign.
What is the context of this qualifying tie?
Finishing third in the WSL last term, six points behind champions Manchester City, means Chelsea must enter the Champions League at this earlier stage. The tie against Spanish side Real Sociedad is played over two legs, with the return fixture scheduled for 6pm on 2 September at the Estadio Zubieta in San Sebastian.
Success here is non-negotiable for a club with Chelsea's ambitions. The entire fixtures schedule for the new season hinges on progressing, as failure would mean a Thursday night schedule in the Europa League. The team's +24 goal difference from last season underscores their capability to dominate matches.
How does the squad look for the new season?
This selection provides the first concrete look at Bompastor's preferred shape and personnel. The blend of established stars like Walsh and James with new faces like McCabe and the potential of the bench options suggests a squad built for multiple competitions. Supporters can view the full squad details online.
The immediate focus is solely on navigating this qualifier. A positive result at Plough Lane would set the team up well for the trip to Spain. After that, attention will turn to the opening WSL fixtures, where Chelsea will aim to close the gap on the teams above them in the standings. The work for the new campaign starts now.
