The 2026 U-20 World Cup is making waves, as The Athletic reported women’s soccer titans like Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Heaps, and Marta signed an open letter urging FIFA to move the youth-level event to an official international window.
This month’s World Cup coincides with active college and pro seasons, forcing young stars with club commitments to miss out on valuable international experience.
“Aligning the tournament with designated international windows will help ensure the world’s best emerging talent can compete on the global stage,” read the letter.
The US hasn’t won a U-20 WWC since 2012, often operating with a skeleton roster due to a rise in age-eligible signings in the NWSL and Europe.
The U-20 USWNT finished third in group-stage play, falling to No. 1 Italy and drawing No. 2 Japan en route to tomorrow’s knockout clash with Brazil.
Current U-20 captain Kennedy Fuller also signed the letter, after Bay FC released her to represent the US in Poland.
