The NWSL is Well Represented in the World Cup

The 2023 Women’s World Cup opens up this month in both the host countries of Australia and New Zealand and again the NWSL truly is well represented in the World Cup. In fact, the USWNT can boast that 22 out of 23 players on their squad (FIFA allows a maximum 23-player squad for the tournament) represent NWSL teams. It goes without saying that this year the NWSL is well represented in the World Cup.

CARSON, CA – JUNE 27: Kelley OHara of the United States poses on a Fox Sports set during a USWNT Press Conference and Media Day at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 27, 2023 in Carson, California. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF). /

The only USWNT player who currently doesn’t play for a NWSL side is Lindsey Horan who originally played for the Portland Thorns but was loaned out to French side Olympique Lyonnais and has chosen to stay in France professionally. Juswomenssports.com graciously put together a team-by-team NWSL roster of World Cup players and that list reads as a who’s who in American professional women’s soccer.

The NWSL is well represented in the World Cup.

The global nature of professional women’s soccer in North America is evident in the fact that no less than eleven nations in the World Cup this summer are represented by NWSL players. While the final rosters for some nations have not been finalized (and the Orlando Pride have a TBD for their World Cup player contributions), the international flair of the NWSL is becoming more and more evident. In fact, the NWSL can arguably claim that in many ways it represents the premier professional women’s soccer league on the global stage.

AUSTIN, TX – APRIL 8: Sinead Farrelly #28 of Ireland runs up the field during a game between Ireland and USWNT at Q2 Stadium on April 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images). /

Which nations are represented by the NWSL in the World Cup?

France: Amandine Henry, Angel City FC

Japan: Jun Endo, Angel City FC; Hisa Sugita, Portland Thorns FC

Nigeria Michelle Alozie, Houston Dash; Ifeoma Onumanu, Gotham FC; Uchema Kanu, Racing Louisville FC

Ireland: Sinead Farrelly, Gotham FC; Denise O’Sullivan, North Carolina Courage; Marissa Sheva, Washington Spirit FC

Costa Rica: Raquel Rodriguez, Portland Thorns FC

South Africa: Thembi Kgatlana, Racing Lousiville FC

Panama: Riley Tanner, Washington Spirit FC

Australia: Alex Chidiac, Racing Louisville FC; Emily van Egmond, San Diego Wave FC

Sweden: Sofia Jakobsson, San Diego Wave FC

Canada: Sophie Schmidt, Nichelle Prince, Allysha Chapman, Houston Dash; Desiree Scott, Kansas City Current; Quinn, Jordyn Huitema, OL Reign, Adriana Lima, Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC; Kailen Sheridan, San Diego Wave FC

USWNT: Julie Ertz, Alyssa Thompson, Angel City FC; Alyssa Naeher, Chicago Red Stars; Kelley O’Hara, Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis, Gotham FC; Casey Murphy, Emily Fox, North Carolina Courage; Sofia Huerta Alana Cook, Emily Sonnett, Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle, OL Reign; Sophia Smith, Crystal Dunn, Portland Thorns FC; Savannah DeMelo, Racing Louisville FC; Naomi Girma, Alex Morgan, San Diego Wave FC; Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan, Trinity Rodman, Aubrey Kingsbury, Washington Spirit FC.

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