After a historic 2025-2026 season, crowned by a District championship title and promotion to the regional level, Monaco United is opening a new chapter in its history. For its second season, the Monegasque club is continuing its development with a clear ambition: to establish itself permanently within the women’s football landscape.
“We want to continue climbing the ranks and gradually take Monaco United towards the highest level of women’s football in France.” Marco Simone — President and Head Coach of Monaco United WFC
The 2026/2027 season that is now beginning represents a real turning point for the club, in several respects. Crowned District champions last season, Monaco United will now compete at Regional level… a significant step up in terms of demands for a team that remained unbeaten in the league throughout the previous season and intends to play a leading role once again in the months ahead. The sporting objective is therefore clearly defined: to compete for promotion to Division 3. “Last season was extraordinary for us. But today, a new chapter begins. Our philosophy remains the same: work hard with humility, build a strong identity and try to be competitive in every match,” says Marco Simone.
To achieve this, the squad has also been strengthened with the arrival of several new players, who bring additional depth to the team. The former striker continues. “We tried to bring in players capable of improving the sporting level of the team, but also players who fit the mentality and spirit we want. Their integration has gone very well. Now, we need to build understanding and develop our automatisms. That takes time, but I am already seeing a lot of positive things.”
Monaco United captain, Houleyemata Deme, shares the same feeling: “The group’s ambitions remain the same, with even greater determination. We were fortunate enough to meet some of the new players towards the end of last season, when the coaching staff had already integrated them into some of our final training sessions. Day by day, we are progressing together.”
Two competitive senior teams
Promotion to Regional level also brings a major change in the structure of Monaco United. The club now has two senior teams, with a reserve team competing at District level.
This is much more than a regulatory requirement linked to the first team’s promotion. It represents a genuine sporting development tool, allowing the entire squad to gain valuable playing time and maintain a high level of competition, while pursuing ambitious objectives. “It is an extremely important development, as it also creates genuine competition on the pitch,” explains Marco Simone. Monaco United therefore has a broad pool of players, with each player having a role to play in the sporting success of this new season. “The reserve team is not secondary to our project. It is an integral part of the development of Monaco United.” (Both teams train together during collective sessions, while players may be called upon to play for either team depending on the coaching staff’s decisions and the sporting needs of the weekend.)
A club identity entering a new dimension
“The goal is for every age group to be connected to the next, with the same identity and the same philosophy.” — Marco Simone
Since its creation, the project has not been based solely on building a strong team. The ambition from the outset was to create a genuine club identity, with a long-term vision. This season marks another essential step with the creation of the U15 and U18 categories, joining the U11 team already established at Monaco United. “This is probably what makes me the proudest,” reveals the President. “It is about building something that can last. A club does not truly have a future if it does not invest in the next generation.” Five teams now make up the club: two senior teams and three youth teams. “Seeing U11, U15 and U18 players wearing the Monaco United jersey just one year after the club was created means that the project is already beginning to put down roots. Our ambition is that one day, a young girl can start with us at a very young age and, a few years later, make her way into the first team…”
It is also about encouraging strong links between the different age groups, from the youngest players through to the first team, the club’s true sporting driving force, which already faces a very demanding schedule… Houleyemata Deme knows this well: “We will have to maintain the same approach and remain true to our fundamental values, those that allowed us to build our success and achieve such strong results last season.” The captain adds: “The preparation we are currently going through is essential if we are to meet the many challenges ahead.”
The first Monaco derby, a historic occasion
Among the many highlights of this 2026-2027 season, one fixture will hold a special place: the first Monaco derby between Monaco United and AS Monaco Football Féminin. The two teams will meet twice during the league season, creating, beyond the sporting stakes, an unprecedented and particularly symbolic moment. “It is inevitably a special and historic match. A derby always brings a different kind of emotion for the players, the clubs and everyone around them. We will have to embrace that emotion while remaining focused on the football,” says Marco Simone. “Above all, I hope that this derby can become an important fixture in the years to come and contribute to giving even greater visibility to women’s football in Monaco.”
For Monaco United, this new season therefore represents an opportunity to write another major chapter in the club’s history. “We need to have a team capable of being competitive immediately, improving as the matches go by and quickly positioning ourselves towards the top of the Regional table.” Without forgetting the desire to already prepare for the future. “I will be paying close attention to the progress of our reserve team and the development of our young players. If, at the end of the season, Monaco United is stronger from a sporting perspective, better structured and even closer to reaching the national divisions, then we will have taken another important step forward.” — Marco Simone
