NWSL's Jessica Berman at Heart of U.S. Soccer's Infantino Deliberations

Worlds collide when club football meets political football, and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman is now perfectly positioned at that intersection. U.S. Soccer will hold a board meeting next month to formally discuss the federation's stance on the future of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and Berman—who leads the National Women's Soccer League—sits on that board. It's a powerful reminder that women's soccer is no longer content to stay on the sidelines when it comes to the governance of the beautiful game.

The Board Meeting at U.S. Soccer

The federation's decision to put Infantino's future on the agenda is a significant one. Infantino has led FIFA since 2016, but his tenure has been repeatedly buffeted by controversy, from the controversial awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar to persistent questions about FIFA's transparency and governance. U.S. Soccer, as one of the most influential federations in the world, plans to debate where it stands.

Berman's presence on the board ensures the women's game has a clear voice in those discussions. She was appointed NWSL commissioner in 2022 and has since overseen a period of rapid growth for the league, with new teams, expanded media rights, and a stronger emphasis on player development and welfare. Her perspective is rooted in the realities of building and sustaining a professional women's league in a competitive sports landscape.

Infantino's Embattled Presidency

Infantino's reputation has taken hits from all sides. His decision to host the World Cup in Qatar drew scrutiny over human rights concerns, and his attempts to change FIFA statutes have been viewed by critics as an entrenchment of power. More recently, questions have swirled around FIFA's financial dealings and the president's relationship with other global football stakeholders. For many, Infantino symbolizes an old guard that prioritizes politics over the sport's integrity.

U.S. Soccer's move to formulate a public stance is notable because it suggests a willingness to take a position on leadership at the highest level. The federation has traditionally been cautious in global politics, but the growing influence of its own domestic competitions—especially the NWSL—may be pushing it toward a more assertive role.

Why This Matters for Women's Soccer

This is where Berman's role becomes crucial. Women's soccer has been advocating for a larger piece of FIFA's funding and attention, especially with the Women's World Cup now a major commercial property. FIFA has pledged increased investment in the women's game, but critics argue the promises have been slow to materialize. Having a commissioner from a top women's league involved in the decision-making process around FIFA's leadership could help keep these issues front and center.

Berman is not just a figurehead; she is an active participant in U.S. Soccer's strategic direction. Her input on the Infantino question will be shaped by her experience building a league that prides itself on being at the forefront of player advocacy and fan engagement. That perspective is invaluable as the U.S. weighs what it expects from FIFA's leadership.

The outcome of next month's board meeting remains to be seen, but the conversation itself marks a shift. By bringing women's soccer into the heart of a political debate about the future of world football, U.S. Soccer is acknowledging that the game's growth depends on voices like Berman's. Whatever stance emerges, it will be a statement about who get to shape the sport's future.