Mizzou soccer released its 2026 schedule on Thursday. The 17-game slate features eight home matches and seven on the road.
Coming off a tumultuous 2025 campaign where the Tigers went 4-10-3 overall and 1-7-2 in SEC play, the upcoming season’s schedule offers more opportunity for them to make it back to the conference tournament for the first time since 2020. Among their seven non-conference matches, none
are against a Power Four opponent.
The mainstays in Mizzou’s non-conference opponents are of the regional variety, with Saint Louis, Missouri State and SEMO on the slate.
This is the third straight season the Tigers will play the Billikens, coming off a 2025 matchup in which they nearly pulled off an upset on the road. Mizzou has won its last five matches against the Bears, and this will be the fourth straight season that the in-state foes will compete. The Redhawks return to the schedule after an absence last season. The Tigers have never lost against SEMO and have outscored them 15-1 in their five all-time matches.
The newcomers to the non-conference slate are Lindenwood, Western Kentucky, Murray State and Northern Illinois.
Mizzou played the Lions in an exhibition match in 2024. Given the date of this matchup, it could be another exhibition, which would likely mean another opponent added to the schedule. The Tigers will head to Western Kentucky and then Murray State to begin the season. This is the first time they will play against the Hilltoppers and the second-ever contest against the Racers. The Huskies will come to Audrey J. Walton to close Mizzou’s August schedule.
Moving to the SEC matches, six of the 10 are repeat opponents from last season. All four of the Tigers’ new conference opponents – Oklahoma, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Georgia – will be played on the road. The Sooners will be their SEC opener. Mizzou won its last six matches against Oklahoma.
Despite a poor record last season, there were multiple conference matches that ended in ties or within one score. The Tigers tied with both Arkansas and Auburn to close last season. To close the coming season, they will play two home matches against Texas A&M and then LSU – both matches were lost by one point last season.
With a favorable non-conference slate and a roster that returns much of its core, Mizzou will have a strong opportunity to turn last year’s growing pains into meaningful progress and contend for an SEC Tournament berth.
Barring any breaking news, this is likely my last post on the soccer beat. New Rock M’er Jack Wiselogel will be taking my place covering the team starting in August.
