CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – With the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Playoffs set to begin on Friday, November 6, with quarterfinal action, a total of 65 players from current Atlantic Coast Conference schools will compete for a spot in the 2026 NWSL Championship.

The 65 players are the most among all conferences, eclipsing last season’s mark of 57. Last season, Florida State’s Jaelin Howell, Pitt’s Sarah Schupansky and Virginia’s Emily Sonnett earned starts in the NWSL Championship match and helped lead Gotham FC to the franchise’s second title in the last three seasons. At least one former ACC player has been a member of the starting XI for every NWSL champion in league history, dating back to 2013.

The 2026 NWSL Playoffs begin Friday when the San Diego Wave host the Utah Royals at 10 p.m. ET on Prime Video. The NWSL Championship is scheduled for November 21 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

ACC Players in the NWSL Playoffs
Angel City FC (9)
Angelina Anderson, California
Karsyn Cherry, Louisville
Jennie Immethun, California
Savy King, North Carolina
Carina Lageyre, Duke
Emily Sams, Florida State
Ally Sentnor, North Carolina
Evelyn Shores, North Carolina
Taylor Suarez, Florida State

Gotham FC (9)
Tess Boade, Duke
Tierna Davidson, Stanford
Jordynn Dudley, Florida State
Jaelin Howell, Florida State
Andrea Kitahata, Stanford
Emily Sonnett, Virginia
Taryn Torres, Virginia
Olivia Wingate, Notre Dame
Teagan Wy, California

Kansas City Current (8)
Alana Cook, Stanford
Michelle Cooper, Duke
Bayley Feist, Wake Forest
Clare Gagne, North Carolina
Haley Hopkins, Virginia
Lo'eau LaBonta, Stanford
Mary Long, Duke
Laney Rouse, Virginia

Portland Thorns (7)
Carolyn Calzada, Notre Dame
Caiya Hanks, Wake Forest
Shae Harvey, Stanford
Sam Hiatt, Stanford
Renee Lyles, Clemson
Sophia Wilson, Stanford
Mackenzie Wood, Notre Dame

San Diego Wave (8)
Trinity Armstrong, North Carolina
Lia Godfrey, Virginia
Nya Harrison, Stanford
Catarina Macario, Stanford
Kristen McNabb, Virginia
Kiki Pickett, Stanford
Mimi Van Zanten, Florida State
Kennedy Wesley, Stanford

Seattle Reign (9)
Ryanne Brown, Wake Forest
Maddie Dahlien, North Carolina
Claudia Dickey, North Carolina
Phoebe McClernon, Virginia
Maddie Mercado, Notre Dame
Sam Meza, North Carolina
Cassie Miller, Florida State
Evan O'Steen, Florida State
Brittney Ratcliffe, Virginia

Utah Royals (6)
Mandy McGlynn, Virginia Tech
Jameese Joseph, NC State
Kameron Simmonds, Florida State
Aria Nagai, North Carolina (loaned to Dallas Trinity)
Alexa Spaanstra, Virginia
Madison Hammond, Wake Forest

Washington Spirit (9)
Deborah Abiodun, Pitt
Gabrielle Carle, Florida State
Hal Hershfelt, Clemson
Audrey Kingsbury, Wake Forest
Casey Krueger, Florida State
Sandy MacIver, Clemson
Paige Metayer, California
Andi Sullivan, Stanford
Elisabeth Tse, SMU