TIME100’s Most Influential Women in Soccer

TIME recently released its list of TIME100 Most Influential People of 2026. It lists influential figures throughout the world and spreads across a variety of industries. Outside of the general list, TIME named 100 most influential people in specific industries, notably sports. With the growth of women in sports, six women in soccer were declared as one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026. This group of women includes current and former National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) players, executives, and international icons. 

Trinity Rodman 

Trinity Rodman is a forward for the NWSL’s Washington Spirit and USWNT. With feats such as an Olympic gold medal, NWSL Championship, and multiple Ballon d’Or Féminin nominations, she is recognized as one of the best women’s soccer players. This offseason, Rodman set a new precedent with her record-breaking contract in which the Spirit went beyond the league’s salary cap to pay her. To keep Rodman from playing overseas, the league created an exception called the High Impact Player Rule, also known as the Rodman rule, to increase her salary. 

Khalida Popal

Khalida Popal was a founding member of Afghanistan’s first national team in 2007 and a captain of the country’s women’s soccer team. However, as the Taliban returned to power, they dismantled women’s sports and by 2021, many of the country’s talented female soccer players left the country. Popal now lives in Denmark, where she helped organize Afghan Women United, a soccer team made of Afghan refugees from around the world. The organization is recognized by FIFA and allows them to be eligible for international competition. 

Michele Kang

Michele Kang is a self-made technology billionaire and women’s sports advocate. She currently owns three womens soccer clubs, including the Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes, and the London City Lionesses. She was also the first woman of color to be a majority owner of a NWSL franchise.  Kang spearheads the Kang Women’s Institute and the Kynisca Innovation Hub. Both are dedicated to supporting female athletes on and off the field. In 2025, ESPN named Kang the Sports Philanthropist of the Year for her efforts to level the playing field for women in sports. 

Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan is known as one of the best former soccer players in the world. She had a historic 12-year NWSL career and was a storied member of the USWNT. Two years ago, Morgan retired from playing and since then, she has been a huge advocate for women’s sports. Since her retirement, Morgan’s venture capital firm, Trybe Ventures, has invested in a women’s golf league and helped launch a professional mens and women’s flag football league.

Asisat Oshoala

Asisat Oshoala is currently a forward for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. She is one of the most decorated women’s soccer players in the world and has played professionally in six different countries. Some of her accomplishments include 6-time Confederation of African Football Women’s Footballer of the Year, 2-time Golden Boot winner, and top scorer in the Chinese Women’s Super League and the Primera División. Oshoala is also a vital member of the Nigeria national team. 

Aitana Bonmatí

Aitana Bonmatí is currently a midfielder for Barcelona and the Spain national team. She is considered the best female soccer player in the world, as she is the reigning Best FIFA Women’s Player and the most recent recipient of the Ballon d’Or Féminin. Throughout her playing career, she has won a World Cup title, seven consecutive Liga F titles, and three Champions League titles. She has used her platform as a global soccer star to lead by example and set up the next generation for success. 

Featured image via TIME.

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