France: creation of the "Coupe LFFP" featuring 24 women's teams, 5 groups & a final on 14/03/2026

"The Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel is launching the very first edition of the Coupe LFFP during the 2025-26 season. Approved at the FFF's Summer federal assembly on 14/06/2025, this new competition will bring together for the first time the 24 clubs from the two professional leagues: the 12 teams from the Arkema Première Ligue and the 12 teams from Seconde Ligue," stated the LFFP on 26/08/2025.

With this new cup, the LFFP says it is pursuing three major objectives:
• 1. "Creating a competition that fosters emulation between the two divisions, strengthening the bond and sporting rivalry between Arkema Première Ligue and Seconde Ligue clubs.
• 2 - Increasing the number of non-European clubs in the fixture list, offering more competitive matches throughout the season.
• 3 - Encouraging the emergence of new players by giving them an additional competitive framework in which to develop."

For the group stage, 21 of the 24 clubs are divided into five groups (one of five teams and four groups of four) "based on geographical proximity, favouring sporting balance and limiting travel…