FIFA’s thwarted plan that left us weary. Plus: Readers’ NWSL All-Star Game ideas

Need to Know: NWSL’s 2027 schedule changes

The NWSL schedule is here! Well, almost. We broke news last week, with this story about the league’s 2027 schedule footprint. While official word is expected later this week, we can give you an exclusive preview of the preview.

For starters, the season is set to start on Feb. 11, three days before the NFL’s Super Bowl. The hope, according to sources, is that the league will be part of the sporting hype in the lead-up to the biggest football game of the year in Los Angeles.

The start date is also a month earlier than previous NWSL seasons, mainly to accommodate the Women’s World Cup break that summer. Playoffs, as they do this year, will start in November and run up to the Championship on Nov. 21 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. A few other notes:

The Challenge Cup, which has recently been a one-off game between the previous year’s NWSL champion and regular-season Shield winner, is expected to return to a preseason format. (Though this is still being finalized.)

The schedule currently includes four midweek matches — two home and two away per club.

The league will pause for the break mandated by the collective bargaining agreement in early June and remain that way until July 30, after the World Cup final.

You can read more about the schedule decisions here.

We asked, and you answered. Should the NWSL have an All-Star Game? Probably. Should it be a mixed-gender match where fun is prioritized? Maybe. Maybe not. We won’t know until we try it. What say you, NWSL?

Before we get into the results, I wanted to highlight a few suggestions we received in our inbox.

💬 Please, no NWSL All-Star: “An NWSL all-star game is an abominable idea, please bury the idea with the NFL game — and what should happen to all of the others. A combined game is an even worse idea. … Now, you want to have NWSL all-stars play WSL all-stars. That’s a game I’d be interested in.” — Scott B.

💬 Go international: “My brain went to the England v. France 3rd place WC game. It feels like that would be the kind of free-wheeling, defense-be-damned game the All-Stars would play. If that’s true, count me in!” — Rod T.

💬 Bring on mixed teams: “The Portland Thorns (NWSL) and the Portland Timbers (MLS) have played two games with mixed teams, and they have been tremendous fun for the players and the fans. Both were fundraisers (one for Ukraine, I forget what the other was for) and were totally unserious which was part of the fun!” — Jessica R.

Want to get in touch? You can email us at fulltime@theathletic.com. No need to wait for a poll to send us your thoughts. Now, on to the official results:

🎧 Get more: “Full Time” hosts Jillian Sakovitz, Tamerra Griffin and Meg will be answering your burning questions on Wednesday’s mailbag episode. Subscribe to get it first.

First Looks

Must-see TV: We told you last week the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was can’t-miss viewing … and the group stage has been nothing but proof that you should listen to us. Tournament debutants Malawi, led by Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, are on the cusp of the knockouts after a stunning opening win against 10-time champions Nigeria. The responsibility that comes with winning is not lost on the players, either.

Parting ways: Manchester United and coach Marc Skinner have split one month before the Women’s Super League season. Get caught up on the news now, because we’ll have even more details tomorrow.

Crucial loss: Bad news for U.S. women’s national team fans, as the back line took a serious hit with Gotham center back Emily Sonnett missing the rest of the NWSL season following knee surgery.

A brother’s love: Grief is complicated. Katie Whyatt spoke to Mark Beard, the brother of the late WSL coach Matt Beard, about their family’s story, life after loss and how Mark is turning his pain into purpose. It’s an emotional and important read.

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