'Narrowing the gap' WSL B teams could join lower leagues as part of FA shakeup

Allowing B teams from Women's Super League and Championship clubs to play in the Women's National League has been put forward as part of plans to restructure tiers three to six of the English women's pyramid from the 2026-27 season.

- Tom Garry

A detailed proposal by the Football Association also includes the expansion of the regional leagues in tiers three and four to 14 teams per division and the introduction of a playoff system to increase the number of teams promoted and relegated between tiers three and four and four and five.

The 27-page document, sent to clubs as part of a consultation process, proposes that B teams could enter anywhere between tier four and six but that there would be a promotion ceiling limiting B teams from progressing higher than tier three. No B team would be able to play higher than two tiers below their first team.

There is no mention of any expansion of the WSL and Championship, which have been run independently since August by Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL). Tiers three and below are operated by the FA.