Texas Tech University Athletics
USA Softball announces 2026 Women’s National Team Athlete Pool
April 02, 2026 | Softball
Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady and assistant coach Kayla Kowalik named to the pool
LUBBOCK, Texas – USA Softball announced its list of athletes for the U.S. Women's National Team (WNT) Athlete Pool on Wednesday afternoon. 36 athletes were selected for consideration for the team that will compete this summer at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup Group Stage as well as the 2026 USA Softball International Cup.
Texas Tech is represented by two-time National Pitcher of the Year and three-time All-American NiJaree Canady who will be joined by current assistant coach Kayla Kowalik who was an All-American at Kentucky and was the 2025 AUSL All-Star Cup Champion. Canady is one of seven current student athletes to be selected and the only current athlete from a Big 12 school.
About the 2026 WBSC Women's Softball Cup:
Previously announced by USA Softball, the 2026 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage event is slated for September 12-16 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, as The Softball Capital of the World® hosts one of three group stages. The upcoming WBSC Women's Softball World Cup will mark the second edition under the new two-stage format, with the Group Stage and Finals held in consecutive years. The Finals are set for April 5-11, 2027, in Brisbane, Australia.
As a host of the Group Stage, the world-ranked No. 2 Team USA has earned an automatic berth in its respective group event and will be joined by five additional qualified teams. For more info on the 2026 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage, click here.
The 2026 International Cup will feature all 36 athletes, with USA Softball set to compete with both the WNT and a Women's Elite Team. Formerly known as the World Cup of Softball, the event will be held in Oklahoma City from July 30 to August 3. The five-day tournament will feature six of the top teams from around the world. Tournament passes for the 2026 International Cup will go on sale April 15, with single-day tickets to follow. All tickets will be sold via SeatGeek. The full event schedule and Team USA rosters will be announced at a later date.
Full release can be found here.
Texas Tech is represented by two-time National Pitcher of the Year and three-time All-American NiJaree Canady who will be joined by current assistant coach Kayla Kowalik who was an All-American at Kentucky and was the 2025 AUSL All-Star Cup Champion. Canady is one of seven current student athletes to be selected and the only current athlete from a Big 12 school.
About the 2026 WBSC Women's Softball Cup:
Previously announced by USA Softball, the 2026 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage event is slated for September 12-16 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, as The Softball Capital of the World® hosts one of three group stages. The upcoming WBSC Women's Softball World Cup will mark the second edition under the new two-stage format, with the Group Stage and Finals held in consecutive years. The Finals are set for April 5-11, 2027, in Brisbane, Australia.
As a host of the Group Stage, the world-ranked No. 2 Team USA has earned an automatic berth in its respective group event and will be joined by five additional qualified teams. For more info on the 2026 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage, click here.
The 2026 International Cup will feature all 36 athletes, with USA Softball set to compete with both the WNT and a Women's Elite Team. Formerly known as the World Cup of Softball, the event will be held in Oklahoma City from July 30 to August 3. The five-day tournament will feature six of the top teams from around the world. Tournament passes for the 2026 International Cup will go on sale April 15, with single-day tickets to follow. All tickets will be sold via SeatGeek. The full event schedule and Team USA rosters will be announced at a later date.
Full release can be found here.
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