Alex Morgan sees FIFA Women’s Club World Cup as a game-changer for NWSL | OneFootball

The FIFA Women's Club World Cup, scheduled for January and February 2026, is already emerging as one of the most anticipated tournaments of the new era of women's soccer. For Alex Morgan, a living legend of the sport and an icon of the NWSL and USWNT, this will be the perfect opportunity for the American league to prove its worth and compete against the world's top clubs.

It's historic to see the creation of a Women's Club World Cup. In an interview with ESPN about the tournament, Alex Morgan was crystal clear and concise: "Competing with the best club teams in the world really levels the playing field.

The UEFA Women's Champions League has, for some time now, represented the top echelon of club soccer for professionals. Morgan spoke to the fact that even in 2017, at Lyon, capturing the treble, including the Champions League, presented a calendar missing an international component of competition: "Playing in the United States or in North America simply doesn't offer that level."

Until the Women's Club World Cup comes into view and changes that, offering NWSL teams the chance to go up against storied clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, and Lyon-ones long bred for success at the top level of European soccer.

Expansion for the NWSL and Morgan's role

Alex Morgan has been one of the leading factors in the growth of the NWSL on and off the field. Salaries are up, competitive parity between teams is on a high, and investment in international talent is growing.

"The NWSL has really raised its level, especially over the last two years. Not only are we keeping U.S. talent, but we're also bringing in some of the best players in the world."

The addition of international players and new CBA have shaped and reshaped the league into what it is today. With a higher salary cap, free agency, and expanded benefits, the NWSL has come closer to being able to financially compete with other leagues such as England's Women's Super League and Spain's Liga F.

That parity shows up on the field

In the NWSL, there are no blowouts. If a team wins 5-0, the next time they play, it could be 5-0 the other way. It's that balanced, and I love it.

Where UEFA Women's Champions League has a solid structure in place, other confederations, like Concacaf, are only just introducing club competitions, with the maiden Concacaf Women's Champions Cup. A lack of topflight club competitions has traditionally created a barrier to women's soccer development in North America.

In Morgan's case, though, the Women's Club World Cup would bridge these gaps and create a world product of women's soccer.

This competition will prove to the world how much the NWSL has grown. It will be a showcase for the talent we have here."

Morgan's legacy and farewell

At 34 years old and pregnant with her second child, Alex Morgan retired from the field with an unparalleled legacy. A two-time World Cup champion (2015 and 2019), Olympic gold medalist in 2012, and a club star, Morgan has an impressive list of achievements and records.

For the USWNT, she netted 123 goals, good for fifth in program history. She participated in four World Cups and had her moments in all of them. At the club level, she was a shining figure in the NWSL with the Portland Thorns and, latterly, San Diego Wave, where she finished her career.

Though she wasn't selected for the Paris Olympics, Morgan accepted the decision with graciousness: "I did everything I wanted to do. I won World Cups, Olympic medals… that would've been the cherry on top, but it didn't happen."

She underlined the need for renewal within the roster of the national team and credited coach Emma Hayes for giving space to younger players: "This was an important moment for those players to start gaining experience and preparing for the 2027 World Cup."

Preparation for 2026

The NWSL still has much to do to improve, though. Success in the FIFA Women's Club World Cup requires teams to attract more international stars and continue to lift the technical and tactical levels of the game.

The league has come a long way, though, as evident from Orlando Pride winning the NWSL Shield and championship title last season.

Players like Marta, another living legend, have called the NWSL the best league in the world. Even Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona's star and the current Ballon d'Or winner, praised the NWSL for its care and support of players. This recognition comes at a pivotal moment when global competition approaches and women's soccer is becoming increasingly competitive.