Preseason Power Rankings
The 2026 NCAA men's soccer preseason rankings have been released, offering an early glimpse of which programs are poised to dominate the upcoming season. Washington University emerges as the clear front‑runner, accumulating 195 points to claim the top spot.
Notre Dame follows in second place with 192 points, while Duke and Florida State round out the top four with 183 and 179 points respectively. Vanderbilt secures the fifth position with 156 points, rounding out a competitive top five that reflects strong expectations across the board.
The poll also incorporates the teams' 2025 records, factoring in wins, losses and ties to shape the early projections. In addition to the top five, several other programs received votes, including the University of North Carolina with six votes, Cornell University and the University of Kentucky each with five, the University of Denver with four, and the University of Michigan with a single vote.
These early rankings set the stage for a season that promises tight competition, especially as teams translate preseason expectations into on‑field performance. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the Huskies can maintain their lead or if challengers like Notre Dame and Duke will close the gap.