Berman emphasizes the crucial role of women's soccer development and a balanced international match calendar in upcoming FIFA leadership debates.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Commissioner, Jessica Berman, is making her voice heard regarding the future leadership of FIFA, the global soccer governing body. Berman expressed the NWSL's strong support for Concacaf's recent rejection of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's contentious proposal to privatize the World Cup. This stance comes as U.S. Soccer evaluates its position on the upcoming FIFA presidential elections.

Infantino's plan involved creating a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which aimed to sell approximately 20% of the combined men's and women's World Cups and Club World Cups to private investors for an estimated $4 billion. This proposal, primarily backed by Thrive Eternal, a holding company led by venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, faced immediate and widespread opposition from major confederations including UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC, leading to its swift withdrawal, according to reporting by CBS Sports - Soccer.

With the March presidential elections looming and Infantino under immense pressure, some are calling for his resignation while others consider challenging him. Berman, who is also a member of U.S. Soccer's board, is eager to engage in crucial discussions at the federation's September board meeting, two months before the deadline for presidential candidates to declare their interest.

NWSL Commissioner Backs Concacaf on FIFA Proposal

Speaking at a press conference, Jessica Berman clearly articulated the NWSL's position. “I'll start by saying that we wholeheartedly support the position that U.S. Soccer and Concacaf took as it relates to not being supportive of that proposal and are pleased that it was withdrawn,” she stated. U.S. Soccer had previously aligned with Concacaf in opposing the FFE, though its definitive stance on the FIFA presidency remains undecided.

U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson indicated earlier that FIFA's leadership would be a key topic during the September board meeting. Concacaf President Victor Montagliani is reportedly considering a bid for the FIFA presidency, although he has not yet formalized any plans. Berman looks forward to these upcoming deliberations, emphasizing her desire “to listen and learn and better understand the optionality that might exist and the process, and obviously watching closely as all the news unfolds.”

Prioritizing Women's Soccer in FIFA Leadership

A central theme for Berman in any future FIFA leadership is the advancement of women's soccer, a domain she notes is often overlooked at the sport's highest echelons. She highlighted that recent years have seen significant professional growth globally, with Infantino overseeing the expansion of the Women's World Cup from 24 to 32 teams for the 2023 tournament, a change widely welcomed.

However, the FFE privatization proposal raised concerns about this progress. The 25-page sales deck for the FFE notably lacked any specific plans for the Women's World Cup or other women's soccer competitions, indicating a potential de-prioritization of the women's game. Berman stressed that leadership must demonstrate clear “priorities and investment” in women's soccer.

The Crucial International Match Calendar

Berman's chief area of focus for FIFA's leadership, beyond immediate elections, revolves around the international match calendar, which is currently finalized through 2029. She emphasized the importance of a balanced approach that considers the relationship between club and country. “I think as a general matter, the things that we care about as a league is a balanced perspective as it relates to the relationship between club and country,” Berman noted.

The next 12 to 18 months are deemed critical, as the women's international match calendar for the subsequent cycle is expected to be determined. The NWSL wants a significant role in advocating for a “symbiotic relationship” between club and country, ensuring appropriate scheduling to grow the league's business. Berman considers this calendar work “probably our most important and active workstream” due to its foundational impact on NWSL broadcast agreements and overall league presentation.

NWSL Growth and Future Challenges

Despite calendar complexities, the NWSL continues to show impressive growth. Berman cited a “Summer of Soccer” campaign during the men's World Cup that yielded substantial results. The league observed nearly 300% growth on Instagram and 100% growth on YouTube compared to prior years during this period, generating almost 40 million social impressions with the hashtag #NWSLonTour.

Attendance figures also reflect this upward trend. The NWSL's average match attendance year-to-date stands at 11,174 fans, marking the second-highest average in league history, closely trailing the 11,249 average from 2024. The league is optimistic about surpassing this record by season's end. From a viewership perspective, Week 13 of 2026, the NWSL's first week back after a break, was its No. 1 linear week for that year, demonstrating robust fan engagement.

The NWSL also strategically plans to open its 2027 season in Los Angeles on February 11, just days before the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium. This scheduling aims to capitalize on the heightened sports conversation around major events. However, the league faces ongoing challenges, including coordinating schedules around international breaks, stadium availability (often dependent on MLS calendars), and adapting to MLS's upcoming shift to a fall-to-spring calendar, which presents both benefits and difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was FIFA's failed privatization proposal?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed establishing FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a subsidiary that would bundle the men's and women's World Cups and Club World Cups and sell approximately 20% to private investors for around $4 billion. This proposal was strongly rejected by major confederations like Concacaf and UEFA.

Why is the women's international match calendar important to the NWSL?

The women's international match calendar is crucial for the NWSL because it dictates the scheduling of games, impacting broadcast agreements and the league's ability to grow its business. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasizes a balanced calendar that supports both club and national team commitments.

Who is Jessica Berman and what is her role in US Soccer?

Jessica Berman is the Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and also serves as a member of the U.S. Soccer board. She is actively involved in discussions regarding FIFA's future leadership, advocating for increased investment and prioritization of the women's game.