How the NWSL is building plans around expansion, men's FIFA World Cup for 2026 season
By Pardeep Cattry
Published on March 12, 2026.
The National Football League (NWSL) plans to introduce another expansion team in 2026, with the team set to be introduced for the 2028 season. The league will expand to 16 teams with the addition of Boston Legacy and the Denver Summit for the opening of the 2026 campaign. The 17th franchise has been awarded to an ownership group in Atlanta led by Arthur Blank, who also owns MLS' Atlanta United and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. The expansion will be a significant moment in the league's plans for its 2026 season, with a potential match between Columbus and Haslam Sports Group, which owns MLS's Columbus Crew and the Cleveland Browns. The commissioner also revealed that roughly 12 prospective ownership groups are interested in joining the NWSL.
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