Ranking the 25 best NWSL players of 2026 (so far)
Key takeaways
- The sample size is large enough now that we can declare with confidence which players have risen above the rest to be the best in their positions, or, across all positions in the league.
- And which other players have pulled away from the pack to put in elite campaigns to date?
- Firstly, this is not an overall ranking of the best players in the NWSL based on historical performances or the skill we know a player might possess.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The sample size is large enough now that we can declare with confidence which players have risen above the rest to be the best in their positions, or, across all positions in the league.
So, who is the best player in the NWSL right now? And which other players have pulled away from the pack to put in elite campaigns to date? Introducing the first edition of ESPN's NWSL Top 25, a ranking of the best players based on their form so far this season.
Firstly, this is not an overall ranking of the best players in the NWSL based on historical performances or the skill we know a player might possess. This ranking puts aside name recognition and past seasons to focus solely on what players have produced in the six to eight games that every team has played thus far.