The next wave of growth in women’s soccer cannot come at the expense of the players carrying it, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said Wednesday. Speaking with reporters at the Leaders Week sports industry conference at Stamford Bridge, Berman emphasized that leagues, federations and tournament organizers need to coordinate more closely as the calendar becomes increasingly crowded.
That concern is coming into sharper focus ahead of FIFA’s inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, scheduled for January 2028. The tournament is expected to bring 19 clubs into a play-in and group-stage format only six months after the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. January also falls during the European club season and the NWSL offseason, creating different preparation and recovery challenges for players arriving from multiple competitions.
Berman said the shared use of the same elite players makes communication between organizers essential to protecting performance and building sustainable competitions. The issue is especially important in a sport that continues to confront serious injury concerns, including anterior cruciate ligament injuries, while asking top players to take on more club and international matches.
The NWSL’s own footprint is also continuing to grow. The league now has 16 clubs, and Berman identified 20 teams as its next expansion marker without setting a final ceiling. At the same time, Gotham FC is positioned to represent the league in the new global club tournament, giving the NWSL a direct stake in how FIFA structures the event and where it is staged.
A United States host has not been formally announced for the Women’s Club World Cup. Berman said a tournament on American soil could create meaningful exposure for the NWSL, but stressed that the details still matter. For the league, the opportunity is not simply to add another showcase; it is to make sure the sport’s commercial momentum and competitive ambition are matched by a calendar that players can sustain.
