Over a dozen top current and former women's soccer players, including World Cup winners Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn, and Brazil legend Marta, have sent an open letter to FIFA asking it to align the U20 Women's World Cup with the international match calendar so players do not have to choose between representing their country or their club.

The letter comes ahead of the knockout stage of the 2026 U20 Women's World Cup. Several emerging stars are absent because the tournament does not fall during an official FIFA window, so clubs are not required to release players. Several NWSL players are missing from the United States' roster, including Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, Alex Pfeiffer, Jordyn Bugg, Kimmi Ascanio and Melanie Barcenas. U.S. U20 head coach Vicky Jepson called their absences "upsetting." Senior USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said the U20 World Cup is the "biggest platform" for player development.

Dunn and former USWNT teammate Julie Ertz also signed. Current USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps and forwards Sophia Wilson and Jaedyn Shaw are among those who signed. ESPN has reached out to FIFA for comment. The next U20 Women's World Cup is scheduled for 2028, with dates and host not yet confirmed. FIFA's current international women's match calendar runs through 2029.