NWSL announces competition break during 2026 World Cup

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced a temporary suspension of competition in June 2026 — coinciding with the start of the World Cup that will be largely held in the United States.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman confirmed that the league won’t stop for the full World Cup duration, noting only three weeks of schedule overlap in July 2026.

“The main challenge we face is managing league operational logistics against the backdrop of the World Cup in many of our markets, and that’s the process we’re currently working through,” Berman explained.

The league will start its 2026 competition with the Challenge Cup on February 20 — marking the earliest season opening in NWSL history. The regular season is scheduled to begin on March 13, with the Championship final set for November 21, 2026.

The 2026 competition will feature 16 teams following the addition of:

• Boston expansion team
• Denver expansion team

Each team will play 30 matches in a balanced format. The Championship final will be held three days before the FIFA international window, which includes the Concacaf W Championship tournament serving as qualification for the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.