U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes has named a 26-player roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, which will see the team face Canada, Argentina and Colombia next month.
The USWNT will face Argentina on March 1 in Nashville, Tennessee, then take on Canada in Columbus, Ohio on March 4. Hayes side will close the tournament against Colombia on March 7 in Harrison, New Jersey.
The U.S. will be looking to regain the title it lost last year after winning five straight editions of the competition.
More importantly, though, the USWNT is building toward the 2027 World Cup, which it will aim to qualify for later this year at the Concacaf W Championship.
"The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament which gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament," said Hayes.
"Three quality games in quick succession also allow us to replicate conditions that will prepare us for the World Cup qualifying campaign this fall. As always, we want to keep developing our player pool to be more and more prepared. As we gain more experience, I expect our standards to keep improving."
Here are three thoughts on the USWNT's roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup.
Regulars return with eye on 2027
After naming herroster for January friendliesagainst Paraguay and Chile, Hayes said the SheBelieves Cup squad would look much closer to a full-strength side as she looks toward the 2027 World Cup.
"This really is the last window in preparation for 2027 where we will see opportunities for so many new players," Hayes said last month.
With the SheBelieves Cup taking place during a FIFA window, Hayes has the opportunity to call in the European-based players that she couldn't last month.
That means regulars like Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Lindsey Heaps, Sam Coffey and Alyssa Thompson, among others, are back in the fold.
One European-based regular not in the squad, though, is Catarina Macario, who has recently been out of favor at Chelsea and isreportedly close to joining the San Diego Wave.
Hayes also couldn't call any Gotham FC players last month due to the NWSL side taking part in the FIFA Women's Champions Cup. With that restriction no longer in place, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett, Jaedyn Shaw and Rose Lavelle all get the nod this time around.
January newcomers back in the mix
Hayes called in an inexperienced squad last month as she continued to experiment with expanding the player pool. Though the SheBelieves Cup roster is much closer to a full-strength USWNT, Hayes has still left room for three fresh faces who impressed last month.
Maddie Dahlien and Riley Jackson are both on the roster after earning their first caps in January. Jackson, 20, was excellent while dictating play from the center of the park in a 5-0 win against Chile.
Dahlien came in with 30 minutes to go against both Paraguay and Chile, and caused problems for the South Americans with her direct play on the wings.
One of the most impressive players in January was Jameese Joseph, who came into camp with just one cap and put in a strong display while scoring against Chile. The Chicago Stars forward made enough of an impression last month to earn a recall this time around.
Sophia Wilson still missing
The Triple Espresso forward line remains at just one-third of its operating capacity, with Trinity Rodman the lone representative on this roster.
Both Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson gave birth last year and are working toward returning to the field.
Swanson's absence from this roster was expected, but there was some hope that Wilson would be able to make a USWNT squad for the first time since 2024.
"The most important thing for Soph is preseason," Hayessaid last month. "I think if she gets that under her belt, then she can absolutely be in consideration for SheBelieves, but she has to get a solid preseason at her club."
Wilson's return with the Portland Thorns looks to be close, but she won't play with the USWNT until April at the earliest.
USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster (club; caps/goals)
Goalkeepers (3):Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 7), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 5), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 4)
Defenders (9):Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 6/0), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 71/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 50/2), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 6/0), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 10/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 113/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 5/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 3/0), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit; 3/0)
Midfielders (8):Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 42/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 170/38), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 13/1), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; 1/0), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 116/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 13/5), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 31/9), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 13/1)
Forwards (6):Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; 2/0), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 2/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 49/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 14/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 15/6), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 26/3
2026 SheBelieves Cup schedule
March 1: Canada vs. Colombia - Geodis Park, Nashville, Tenn. - 1 p.m. CT
March 1: USWNT vs. Argentina - Geodis Park, Nashville, Tenn. - 4 p.m. CT
March 4: Argentina vs. Colombia - ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio - 3:30 p.m. ET
March 4: USWNT vs. Canada - ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio - 6:30 p.m. ET
March 7: Canada vs. Argentina - Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J. - 12:30 p.m. ET
March 7: USWNT vs. Colombia - Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J. - 3:30 p.m. ET
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster: Three thoughts on Emma Hayes' squad
