A new season of the UEFA Women's Champions League is upon us, one that could be the tournament's most competitive edition yet as a new format, new players and a long list of contenders mix things up in Europe's top club competition.

Arsenal return to European action after winning the Champions League for the first time last spring, though they are just one of several high-profile teams who have their sights set on lifting the trophy yet again. Barcelona, who won three of the last five Champions League titles, remain one of Europe's most talented teams while eight-time winners OL Lyonnes have a new look after hiring Jonatan Giraldez as the manager and signing an exciting batch of players over the summer, including U.S. women's national team midfielder Lily Yohannes.

The competition will see many of the game's top players contend for the title, a list that is headlined by Barcelona's three-time Ballon d'Or winner and Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey, the runner-up to the individual accolade in 2025. Several USWNT players will take part, too – Yohannes counts Lindsey Heaps as a club and country teammate while Emily Fox played a central role in the Gunners' win last season. Alyssa Thompson, meanwhile,...