Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Olympique Lyonnais Féminin secured the inaugural Coupe de la Ligue Féminine (LFFP) title on March 14, 2026, defeating Paris Saint-Germain in a landmark final held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The decision to host the final outside of France marks a significant effort to promote the growth of women’s football in Africa, though the move has sparked debate within the sport.
The match, broadcast internationally, saw Lyon emerge victorious, adding another trophy to their already impressive collection. Whereas specific details of the match scoreline weren’t immediately available, the event itself represents a pivotal moment for the LFFP and the broader landscape of women’s club football. The Coupe LFFP, established in January 2025, features 24 teams from France’s Première Ligue and Seconde Ligue.
The move to stage the final in Abidjan is intended to develop the practice of football in Côte d’Ivoire. The LFFP hopes the visibility of a high-profile women’s match will inspire participation and investment in the sport at the grassroots level. Whether this strategy proves successful remains to be seen, but the initiative is undeniably ambitious.
This inaugural edition of the Coupe LFFP saw OL Lyonnes claim the first championship title, as confirmed by Wikipedia. The competition’s format includes a group stage followed by a knockout phase, with the top three Première Ligue clubs participating in European competitions receiving a bye to the final phase. The group stage began on September 13, 2025, culminating in the final in Abidjan nearly six months later.
Beyond the LFFP final, Radio Foot Internationale’s broadcast on Monday, March 16, 2026, as well covered other significant sporting events. The program highlighted Stade Malien’s participation in the CAF Champions League, despite a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Mamelodi Sundowns. The broadcast also addressed a controversial decision by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) in France to abandon a planned day dedicated to combating homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, a move criticized by L’Equipe as a “recus.”
The program also touched on a resurgence in form for FC Barcelona’s Raphinha, who scored a hat-trick against Sevilla on March 15, 2026 – his first since August 31, 2024, against Valladolid. This individual performance provides a bright spot for Barcelona as they navigate their season.
The Radio Foot Internationale program, hosted by Hugo Moissonnier and featuring consultants Yoro Mangara, Marc Libbra, and Hervé Penot, provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in international football. The program is available live at 16:10 UTC and as a replay at 22:10 UTC.
The decision to move the Coupe de la Ligue Féminine final to Abidjan raises questions about the future of international football events. While the potential benefits of expanding the sport’s reach are clear, logistical challenges and concerns about infrastructure and accessibility must be addressed. The LFFP will likely evaluate the success of this experiment before considering similar moves in the future.
For Lyon, the victory represents continued dominance in French women’s football. The team will now turn its attention to upcoming league matches and potential European competitions. The outcome of the Stade Malien’s Champions League tie remains uncertain, but they will necessitate a significant performance in the return leg to advance. And in France, the LFP’s decision regarding the anti-discrimination campaign is likely to continue to generate debate.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the Coupe LFFP is the planning and announcement of the 2026-27 season details. Fans can stay updated on the LFFP’s official website for further information.
What are your thoughts on the LFFP’s decision to host the final in Abidjan? Share your opinions in the comments below.
