Soccer scholarships in the U.S. for international players: step by step

Updated: October 31, 2026

To get a soccer scholarship in the U.S. you need to pick the right level, sort out your eligibility, build a good video and email many coaches yourself. College soccer recruits heavily in South America and beyond, and with persistence you can get there without an agency.

1. Choose your level

There are men's and women's programs in the NCAA (D1, D2 and D3), the NAIA and junior colleges. Division I is extremely competitive. Many international players find their place in Division II, NAIA and junior college, where it is more common to combine athletic and academic scholarships. Smartrecruit lists more than 1,300 men's soccer programs.

2. Understand how scholarships work

In Division II the limit is 9 equivalencies per team in men's soccer and 9.9 in women's, which the coach splits into portions across the roster. Division III offers no athletic scholarships: aid comes from academic merit or the university. In Division I, since 2025-26 and the House v. NCAA settlement, the scholarship cap was replaced by a roster limit of 28 players and each university decides how much to offer. That is why your GPA matters so much: a strong academic scholarship covers what the athletic one does not. More in how much a scholarship covers.

3. Sort out your eligibility

NCAA D1 and D2 require the Eligibility Center; the NAIA has its own registration. Pay special attention to amateurism if you played in the youth system of a club with a professional first team. Everything is in the eligibility guide.

4. Build your video

Three to five minutes, best plays first, identified on every play, plus a full game separately. Follow the video guide.

5. Email many coaches, well

A normal range is 30 to 50 programs that match your level, with a short, personalized email in English, followed up on. Smartrecruit has official emails for more than 1,100 soccer programs and an email generator, though the app is currently in Spanish. Follow the email guide.

Always confirm current rules on the official NCAA and NAIA websites: they change often.

Frequently asked questions

Are there soccer scholarships for international players?

Yes. Universities recruit international players, subject to each governing body's rules and each university's admissions.

How many scholarships does a soccer team have?

In Division II the maximum is 9 equivalencies in men's and 9.9 in women's; Division III has no athletic scholarships; Division I has had a 28-player roster limit instead of a scholarship cap since 2025-26.

How many coaches should I email?

A typical range is 30 to 50 programs that match your level, with personalized emails and follow-up.

Does playing for a club with a professional team hurt me?

It can matter. Review the amateurism section of the eligibility guide, because it can affect your certification.