Katie McCabe will make her competitive Chelsea debut against Real Sociedad after Sonia Bompastor named the summer signing in her first starting XI of the 2026/27 season.
Naomi Girma captains the Blues for Wednesday evening’s Women’s Champions League third qualifying-round first leg, while Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones both start in attack.
Chelsea are attempting to secure a place in the Champions League league phase after finishing third in the Women’s Super League last season.
🚨 Chelsea Women XI to face Real Sociedad! COYB! 💙 pic.twitter.com/lDr9BYJYru
— ChelseaReport (@chelsreport_) August 26, 2026
Katie McCabe starts for Chelsea against Real Sociedad
Hannah Hampton starts in goal, with Ellie Carpenter, Girma, Veerle Buurman and McCabe forming the defence.
Keira Walsh and Sjoeke Nusken start in midfield, while Alyssa Thompson, James and Sandy Baltimore support Beever-Jones further forward.
McCabe’s inclusion is one of the biggest decisions from Bompastor.
The Republic of Ireland international joined Chelsea this summer and now goes straight into the side for the club’s first competitive fixture of the campaign.
Fellow summer arrivals Giulia Dragoni, Nelly Las and Melvine Malard have all been named among the substitutes.
Chelsea are without Erin Cuthbert, Mayra Ramirez and Manaka Matsukubo after Bompastor confirmed all three would miss the Real Sociedad first leg.
Matsukubo’s absence was confirmed after she sustained an injury during Chelsea’s pre-season preparations, while Cuthbert and Ramirez are also unavailable. Chelsea’s official pre-match team-news update details all three absences.
Chelsea Women XI: Hampton; Carpenter, Girma (c), Buurman, McCabe; Walsh, Nusken; Thompson, James, Baltimore; Beever-Jones.
Substitutes: Peng, Spencer, Bjorn, Bronze, Dragoni, Hamano, Potter, Las, Kaptein, Malard, Sarwie.
The first leg kicks off at 6.45pm BST at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Supporters can watch Chelsea Women vs Real Sociedad live and free through Chelsea’s official website and app.
The return leg takes place in San Sebastian on 2 September.
Five Chelsea players fighting for Brighton place against Luton
Five Chelsea players fighting for Brighton place against Luton
Chelsea rule Caicedo and Palestra out vs Luton as Palmer fit
Chelsea rule Caicedo and Palestra out vs Luton as Palmer fit