Jill Scott backs Arsenal as inaugural Women's Champions Cup takes place in London

Goal reports Jill Scott, tournament ambassador, spoke at a launch event near London’s Tower Bridge ahead of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, which will see Arsenal, Gotham FC, Corinthians and AS FAR meet in semi-finals at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday, with the third-place play-off and final scheduled for Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.

Scott, who retired with 161 England appearances and made her final outing off the bench at the Euro 2022 final, welcomed the new competition — which FIFA has created as an equivalent to the men’s Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cups — saying it gives clubs “bragging rights”, brings wider exposure and valuable prize money, and shows FIFA’s investment in the women’s game. At the launch she posed with Ian Wright and representatives from the four teams, noted London-wide promotion including branded black cabs and Tube adverts, and said she enjoys ambassador duties and giving back to the sport; she also cited David Beckham and Frank Lampard as role models from her youth.

When asked who she expects to lift the first trophy, Scott backed Arsenal, pointing to their squad strength and home familiarity, and said she was not allowed to touch the trophy because it is being safely guarded. She urged fans to attend, noting tickets remain available for Wednesday’s semi-finals and the final on Sunday.