Mexico sextet in NWSL take aim at Brazil 2027

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) brings together some of the best footballers in the world and provides the chance for Mexican national team players to compete at the highest level while continuing to hone their craft.

Lizbeth Ovalle is experiencing this first-hand since her arrival to the Orlando Pride where she plays alongside legends like Marta and Barbra Banda, the latter currently leading the league in scoring. In those two players Ovalle has found a wealth of knowledge to enrich her game. “In football in the USA, you have to be skilled,” she said to FIFA in an interview several months ago. “I try to watch the moves that Marta makes [on the pitch], because it’s not about strength or speed, but rather being intelligent enough to anticipate those movements.”

Ovalle is one of six players from the current Mexican national team setup that are playing in the US league this season. An injury kept the winner of the 2025 FIFA Marta Award from being part of head coach Pedro Lopez’s squad for the two June friendlies against Australia, but no doubt Ovalle remains a key member of the El Tricolor attack, and now back in action, she will be one of the players aiming for qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ in the 2026 Concacaf W Championship.

Also a member of the Mexico attack, Kiana Palacios arrived to the Utah Royals with an outstanding track record of goalscoring in the Liga MX Femenil. The forward joined Utah at the start of the 2026 campaign after scoring 12 goals in her final season with Club America and quickly won a place in the starting XI. With three goals and three assists thus far, she is helping the Royals enjoy one of their best seasons.

It has been an interesting journey for Rebeca Bernal as well. Since the start of the 2025 season, she has been with the Washington Spirit, where she plays with international stars like USA’s Trinity Rodman and Leicy Santos of Colombia. Last May, as one of the four best team in the region, the Spirit traveled to Mexico to play in the final stage of the 2026 Concacaf W Champions Cup where they fell to Club America in the final. The Mexico captain has helped shore up one of the stingiest defenses in the NWSL this season, while also scoring three goals as the Spirit look to reel in league leaders Gotham FC.

“You always go up against players who are strong, fast and determined, and that makes your level rise,” said Bernal to the NWSL website about emerging from her comfort zone in the league.

Director of Mexican women’s national teams Andrea Rodebaugh has emphasized that the differences in the players’ club situations do not necessarily pose a problem for building a team. The approach used by the national team is based on a playing style and defined profiles for each position. That way, each player’s characteristics are incorporated and they can focus on the roles they will play on El Tricolor.

Each player’s path is marked by different challenges, like in the case of left-back Nicky Hernandez, who is seeking consistent playing time in her first season with the Boston Legacy. Meanwhile, defender Aliyah Farmer, who made her Mexico debut in May 2025, is a regular in the starting XI of the Chicago Stars, who currently sit last in the table and are under the direction of interim coach and fellow Mexican, Karina Baez.

As for full-back Reyna Reyes, she has won herself a spot on the Portland Thorns defence and renewed her contract until 2030. The club, with international figures like Sophia Wilson of USA and Canadian Jessie Fleming, is a perennial contender and once again this season is in the top part of the table. Reyes, who was part of the Mexico team that finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ in 2018, is now looking to be in top form to help the senior team qualify for Brazil 2027.

On 28 November at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Mexico face Haiti for a ticket to the Women’s World Cup. A good result could also mean qualification to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Los Angeles 2028, which would be Mexico’s first since Athens 2004. There is no doubt that Mexico’s NWSL contingent will have a large say in whether history will be made.