USWNT Stars Set to Shape 2026 Across Europe
As 2026 begins, elite United States women’s internationals are no longer testing themselves abroad. They are defining seasons, commanding record fees, and anchoring Europe’s biggest clubs as the transatlantic shift accelerates.
The movement is headlined by Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson at Chelsea, whose combined transfers from the NWSL shattered expectations and set a new benchmark for American talent overseas. Alongside them, Cat Macario, Emily Fox, Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes, and Phallon Tullis-Joyce are positioned to make 2026 a landmark year for U.S. influence in Europe.
Those deals landed even as the NWSL prepares to introduce its High Impact Player rule, allowing clubs to exceed the salary cap by up to $1 million to retain elite talent. The regulation, which arrives amid tension with the Players Association, reflects a league grappling with how to compete as Europe’s pull grows stronger.
The significance of this moment is clear. Girma’s $1.1 million move from San Diego Wave and Thompson’s $1.3 million switch from Angel City were not isolated splurges. They marked a new financial and sporting reality, with younger players moving earlier and clubs abroad willing to invest heavily in proven USWNT regulars.
Across Europe, these players are stepping into environments built for pressure. Crowds are larger, expectations sharper, and every appearance scrutinized. At Chelsea, the integration of American stars has become a central storyline, while Lyon continues to rely on U.S. pedigree in midfield and goal.
Key developments have followed quickly. Girma overcame an injury-disrupted start in England to deliver a commanding performance in the Women’s FA Cup final, helping Chelsea secure a clean sheet against Manchester United. Her composure and positional authority confirmed why she arrived as a world-record defender. Thompson, meanwhile, enters 2026 expected to play a more decisive attacking role after a season of adaptation.
Macario’s situation adds intrigue. With her Chelsea contract expiring in July, FIFA regulations allow her to negotiate a pre-contract from January. NWSL clubs are monitoring closely, now empowered by the High Impact Player rule, while Europe remains keen to retain a playmaker who has delivered seven goals and consistent creativity since arriving from Lyon.
At OL Féminin, Heaps faces a pivotal year. After a prolific 2024-25 campaign, her minutes and output dipped, though flashes of influence against Montpellier, Saint-Étienne, and PSG underlined her enduring quality. With her contract expiring this summer and Denver Summit looming as a hometown possibility, her next move carries weight for both continents.
The second half of this transatlantic narrative is about momentum. Fox continues to establish herself at Arsenal, Yohannes is gaining valuable experience at Lyon, and Tullis-Joyce’s role at Manchester United highlights the growing trust in American goalkeepers abroad. Each appearance reinforces the sense that U.S. players are no longer visitors in Europe but fixtures.
Late in the cycle, the pressure shifts back to the NWSL. Can financial flexibility and domestic ambition slow the outflow, or will Europe remain the destination of choice for the next generation?
As 2026 unfolds, the answer will shape more than transfer headlines. For the USWNT core, this year represents consolidation, leadership, and legacy building on the biggest stages available.