55 NWSL players across all 12 clubs are confirmed to be representing 13 countries in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

Thankfully, selected players will miss substantially fewer regular season matches than those who represented their countries in international tournaments last July, however, matches will still be taking place in July and August. Many teams have already called in their international players, and we expect those who haven’t yet departed to soon follow.

Rounds 14 and 15 of Fantasy NWSL coincide with the matches played the first and second weekends of July, while Round 16 does not begin until August 18th. Round 17 begins on August 25th, running through the 27th.

What do these dates all mean?

Great question. Technically, the FIFA-mandated date for clubs to release their players for the World Cup is July 10th. Any countries following this guidance would not be calling in their players until after Round 15 of NWSL play. However, ten days is an incredibly short preparation window for World Cup preparation and many teams have pre-tournament camps for which players have already reported. The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) negotiated in their CBA for a release date of June 26th. This means that USWNT players will not be available starting with Round 14.

The World Cup semifinals take place in the early morning hours of August 15th and 16th for those located in the continental United States, with the third and first place matches occurring on the mornings of August 19th and 20th. We do not anticipate players on teams who make it to the semifinal round of the World Cup to return prior to Round 17. However, it could be possible for teams knocked out in the quarterfinals, which end August 12th, to have players back in market by the start of Round 16.

We won’t know until the tournament is underway who is likely to make an early return to league play, but we will keep the chart below updated for your convenience!

Who’s going to the World Cup?