The 2026 NAIA men’s soccer preseason poll has been released, and Grand View University of Iowa sits at the top after capturing the 2025 national championship. The Vikings enter the new campaign with momentum, having finished the previous season with a perfect conference record and a Red Banner victory.
Grand View’s roster retains key contributors, among them Luis Helm, who was named Outstanding Defensive Player last year, and a strong defensive unit that limited opponents throughout the championship run. Their experience positions them as the team to beat when the first matches arrive.
Opening Week Schedule
The season kicks off on August 21 in Des Moines, Iowa, where Grand View will host Rocky Mountain College. The following day, West Virginia Tech opens at home against Cumberlands (Ky.). MidAmerica Nazarene is set to debut on August 18 against Ottawa (Kan.), while Georgia Gwinnett begins its schedule with a home match aimed at building on a 10‑starter return from the 2025 quarterfinals.
Other programs, including Indiana Tech, Warner Pacific University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Bethel University (Tennessee), are also preparing for their first games, each looking to add depth to a landscape that features multiple conference powerhouses.
The first regular‑season Top 25 poll is scheduled for release on Wednesday, September 2, a milestone that will further shape expectations and storylines as the early results begin to accumulate.