What Happened to Mary Abigail "Abby" Wambach?
Abby Wambach is a legendary American former professional soccer player, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a FIFA Women's World Cup champion, who retired in 2015 as the leading international goal scorer at the time. Since her retirement, she has become a prominent activist for equality and inclusion, a best-selling author, co-host of the popular 'We Can Do Hard Things' podcast, and a co-owner of Angel City FC, continuing to influence sports and social discourse up to the present day in 2026.
Quick Answer
Abby Wambach, a retired soccer icon, is currently a highly influential activist, author, and media personality. As of July 2026, she continues to advocate for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights, co-hosts the 'We Can Do Hard Things' podcast, and is a co-owner of Angel City FC. She recently spoke at the University of Delaware on mental health, participated in CARE's 'Level the Playing Field' campaign, and discussed the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while also making headlines for her departure from the Wasserman agency due to ethical concerns.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Rochester, New York
Mary Abigail Wambach was born, the youngest of seven children, and began playing soccer at a young age, often on boys' teams.
University of Florida Career
Wambach played for the Florida Gators, setting numerous school records for goals, assists, and points, and helping the team win its first NCAA Division I Championship.
USWNT Debut
Abby Wambach made her first appearance for the U.S. Women's National Team, beginning an illustrious international career.
First Olympic Gold Medal
Wambach scored the game-winning goal in extra time against Brazil, securing the gold medal for the USWNT at the Athens Olympics.
FIFA World Player of the Year & Second Olympic Gold
Wambach was named the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year and won her second Olympic gold medal with the USWNT at the London Games.
Breaks Mia Hamm's Scoring Record
Abby Wambach surpassed Mia Hamm's record of 158 international career goals, becoming the all-time leading scorer in international soccer at the time.
FIFA Women's World Cup Champion & Retirement
Wambach achieved her long-sought World Cup title with the USWNT and announced her retirement from professional soccer in December, ending her career as a champion.
Publishes Memoir 'Forward'
Her autobiography, 'Forward: A Memoir,' was published, offering a candid look at her life and career, and became a New York Times bestseller.
Publishes 'Wolfpack' and Co-founds Wolfpack Endeavor
Wambach released 'Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power and Change the Game,' based on her viral commencement speech, and co-founded Wolfpack Endeavor for women's leadership development.
Launches 'We Can Do Hard Things' Podcast
Abby Wambach, along with her wife Glennon Doyle and sister-in-law Amanda Doyle, launched the 'We Can Do Hard Things' podcast, which quickly became a #1 hit.
Co-owner of Angel City FC
Wambach became a part owner of Angel City FC, a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team, which is notable for being the first majority-female-owned soccer team in history.
Executive Producer of Sundance Award-Winning Film
Wambach served as an executive producer for the Sundance award-winning film 'Come See Me in the Good Light,' appearing at the Tribeca Festival for it.
Departs Wasserman Agency
Wambach announced her departure from the Wasserman agency, citing ethical concerns over founder Casey Wasserman's correspondences in the Epstein files and calling for his resignation.
Participates in CARE's 'Level the Playing Field' Campaign
Wambach joined Jordan Chiles and Julie Foudy in CARE's multi-day 'Level the Playing Field' campaign for International Women's Day, advocating for women's empowerment globally.
Guest Speaker at University of Delaware
Wambach spoke via Zoom to a 'Women in Sports' class at the University of Delaware, discussing her career, addiction, and mental health struggles.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Mary Abigail Wambach, born on June 2, 1980, in Rochester, New York, established herself as one of the most dominant figures in women's soccer history. Her early career saw her excel at the University of Florida, where she set numerous school records and led the Gators to their first NCAA Division I Championship. Wambach's professional club career included stints with the Washington Freedom, magicJack, and the Western New York Flash, where she consistently led her teams in scoring.
Wambach's international career with the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) spanned from 2001 to 2015, during which she amassed an astounding 184 goals, making her the all-time leading international goal scorer for a period. Her prowess in the air, particularly her diving headers, became her trademark. Key achievements include two Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2012, and the coveted FIFA Women's World Cup title in 2015, which she won in her final tournament. She was also recognized as the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012 and a six-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year.
Following her retirement from professional soccer in December 2015, Wambach transitioned into a new chapter focused on advocacy and empowerment. She became a New York Times best-selling author with her memoir 'Forward' (2016) and 'Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power and Change the Game' (2019), which was based on her viral 2018 commencement speech at Barnard College. Her work extends to co-hosting the highly successful 'We Can Do Hard Things' podcast with her wife Glennon Doyle and sister-in-law Amanda Doyle, which debuted at #1 in May 2021.
As of 2026, Wambach remains a prominent voice for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and inclusion. She is a co-founder and part owner of Angel City FC, the first majority-female-owned soccer team in history, demonstrating her continued commitment to women's sports. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization Together Rising. In March 2026, Wambach participated in CARE's 'Level the Playing Field' campaign for International Women's Day, advocating for women's access to skills and resources globally. She also discussed the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and her involvement with TOCA Social.
A significant development in February 2026 saw Wambach announce her departure from the Wasserman agency, citing ethical concerns related to founder Casey Wasserman's correspondences found in the Epstein files. She publicly stated her decision was based on her gut and values, calling for Wasserman's resignation. In May 2026, she engaged with students at the University of Delaware's 'Women in Sports' class via Zoom, sharing insights into her career, struggles with addiction, and mental health. Her most recent book, 'We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions,' co-created with Glennon Doyle and Amanda Doyle, continues to be hailed as a 'guidebook for being alive.'
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Mary Abigail "Abby" Wambach made different choices?