The Big 12 women's soccer conference enters the 2026 season with a deep pool of talent, as five of its member schools find themselves among the nation's top‑25 in the preseason rankings. The United Soccer Coaches/IWSOC poll, released on August 4, 2026, places TCU at No. 6 with 162 points, a position that reflects back‑to‑back regular‑season titles and a recent appearance in the NCAA Women’s College Cup.
Rankings and Recent Success
Colorado University follows at No. 13, buoyed by five preseason selections and the presence of Hope Leyba, the nation’s leading goal scorer in 2025. Kansas sits at No. 15 after a 16‑6‑3 record and a Sweet 16 run last year, while West Virginia holds the No. 20 spot, having posted five unbeaten stretches in conference play and recorded 11 shutouts in 2025. Texas Tech rounds out the top five at No. 23, a testament to its four‑year streak of limiting opponents to single‑digit goals.
Programs on the Rise
Baylor and BYU each earned three preseason poll selections and both reached the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, underscoring the league’s breadth of competitive programs. The conference has kept five teams in the top 25 since October 7, 2025, a streak that highlights its sustained national relevance.
The 2026 campaign kicks off on August 12, marking the start of a schedule that promises early tests and opportunities for newcomers to make an impact. With preseason expectations high, coaching staffs are already shaping strategies around the strengths and weaknesses revealed by last season’s results.