Mexican Players in NWSL Set Sights on Brazil 2027

Six Mexican internationals are currently plying their trade in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top-flight professional league in the United States. Their experiences range from playing alongside global superstars to fighting for survival at the bottom of the table, yet all share a common goal: helping Mexico qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™.

The NWSL is widely regarded as one of the most competitive women's leagues in the world, attracting elite talent from across the globe. For Mexican national team players, the league offers a platform to test themselves against the best while refining their skills in a demanding environment.

Ovalle Learning from the Best in Orlando

Lizbeth Ovalle, the 2025 FIFA Marta Award winner, has been a standout addition to the Orlando Pride. Since joining the club, she has trained and played alongside legends such as Marta and Barbra Banda, the latter currently leading the NWSL in scoring. Ovalle has embraced the opportunity to learn from such accomplished teammates.

"In football in the USA, you have to be skilled," Ovalle told FIFA in an interview. "I try to watch the moves that Marta makes [on the pitch], because it's not about strength or speed, but rather being intelligent enough to anticipate those movements."

An injury kept Ovalle out of Mexico's June friendlies against Australia, but she remains a key figure in head coach Pedro Lopez's attack. With her return to action, she is expected to play a pivotal role in the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, which serves as the qualifying tournament for Brazil 2027.

Palacios and Bernal Making an Impact

Kiana Palacios, another attacking option for Mexico, joined the Utah Royals at the start of the 2026 season after a prolific spell in Liga MX Femenil with Club America, where she scored 12 goals in her final campaign. She has quickly established herself in the Royals' starting lineup, contributing three goals and three assists so far, helping the team enjoy one of its best seasons in recent memory.

Rebeca Bernal, the Mexico captain, has been a cornerstone of the Washington Spirit defense since the start of the 2025 season. Playing alongside international stars like Trinity Rodman of the USA and Leicy Santos of Colombia, Bernal has helped the Spirit boast one of the stingiest defenses in the league while also chipping in with three goals. The Spirit recently competed in the final stage of the 2026 Concacaf W Champions Cup in Mexico, where they fell to Club America in the final.

"You always go up against players who are strong, fast and determined, and that makes your level rise," Bernal told the NWSL website about the challenges of playing in the league.

Diverse Paths, Shared Goal

Andrea Rodebaugh, director of Mexican women's national teams, has stressed that the varying club situations of her players do not hinder team building. The national team employs a style-based approach with defined profiles for each position, allowing players to integrate their individual characteristics seamlessly.

Other Mexican internationals in the NWSL include left-back Nicky Hernandez, who is seeking consistent playing time in her first season with the Boston Legacy, and defender Aliyah Farmer, who made her Mexico debut in May 2025 and is a regular starter for the Chicago Stars, currently at the bottom of the table under interim coach and fellow Mexican Karina Baez. Reyna Reyes, a full-back, has secured a spot in the Portland Thorns defense and recently renewed her contract until 2030. The Thorns, featuring internationals like Sophia Wilson of the USA and Jessie Fleming of Canada, are perennial contenders and currently sit near the top of the standings.

As the 2026 Concacaf W Championship approaches, these six players will look to translate their NWSL experiences into success on the international stage, with a coveted spot at the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™ on the line.