Proposed US Bill Would Cap International NCAA Rosters at 20 Percent

A proposal introduced Monday would require colleges participating in federal Title IV student-aid programs to limit international athletes to 20 percent of each varsity team's roster.

The Training and Education for American Members in University Sports and Athletics Act, known as the TEAM USA Act, was introduced by Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio and House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg of Michigan. Both lawmakers are Republicans.

The House Education and Workforce Committee's announcement says the cap would take effect in the 2029-30 academic year. Schools would have to report international-athlete participation on each team annually to the Department of Education and the applicable athletic association.

Walberg said the proposal is intended to preserve college roster spots for American students. Husted tied the measure to the growth of name, image and likeness payments and said Congress should prioritize opportunities for American athletes as it considers college-sports legislation.

The effect on women's hockey could be substantial. The Hockey News calculated that 665 American women and 469 international players appeared on NCAA Division I rosters in 2025-26, making international players 41.4 percent of the pool.

According to that analysis, 37 of 45 programs exceeded the proposed 20 percent cap. Eight programs had rosters that were at least 60 percent international, and Mercyhurst was just above 85 percent.

The Hockey News also reported that none of USA Hockey's top five teams entering 2026-27 — Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, Northeastern and Penn State — would comply with the proposed limit. Fourteen of the 24 players listed on Ohio State's roster, or 58 percent, are international.

The proposal has been introduced in Congress but has not become law. This season's NCAA women's hockey rosters include players from 17 countries.