The 2026 NAIA Women’s Soccer season will begin on August 20, with the first matches taking place at the Jack Allen Sports Complex in Decatur, Alabama. The opening weekend marks the start of a campaign that will feature 197 teams competing across 19 conferences for the league’s coveted Red Banner title.
In the preseason coaches’ poll, Keiser University from Florida captured the top spot, earning 19 first‑place votes. This marks the second occasion since 1999 that the institution has held the No. 1 ranking, underscoring its recent rise in the national conversation.
Cumberlands University in Kentucky, the 2025 runner‑up, entered the rankings at No. 2, reflecting the program’s continued momentum after a strong finish last season.
Following them, Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona and Oklahoma Wesleyan University round out the top four. Both programs benefited from deep runs in the 2025 postseason, positioning them as early contenders for the upcoming titles.
Season Outlook
The defending national champions from 2025 are set to defend their crown as the new season unfolds, with the first official Coaches’ Top 25 poll scheduled for release on September 2. The rankings will provide a clearer picture of how the early poll dynamics translate into on‑field performance.