The United States women’s national soccer team has announced its roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, featuring standout players such as Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Heaps, and Rose Lavelle. Manager Emma Hayes has selected a total of 26 players for the tournament, which takes place from March 1-8 across three states: Tennessee, Ohio, and New Jersey. The team aims to secure its eighth title in this annual competition.
The roster consists of 19 players from domestic leagues and seven who currently play abroad. Among those competing internationally, six players are involved in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, including Heaps, Phallon Tullis-Joyce of Manchester United, and Arsenal defender Emily Fox. This year, the USWNT has only retained 13 players from the previous year’s SheBelieves Cup, indicating a focus on integrating new talent into the squad.
Preparing for the Future
Hayes emphasized the importance of the SheBelieves Cup as a preparatory event for upcoming challenges. “The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament which gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,” she stated. The matches serve as valuable experience for the team ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign scheduled for the fall.
Rodman, who recently scored in friendlies against Paraguay and Chile, is expected to be a key player. Her dynamic play has garnered attention, particularly after a memorable celebration that included Hayes dancing alongside her. Other prominent forwards such as Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson are still recovering from maternity leave and are working towards full fitness.
The SheBelieves Cup will feature matchups against strong opponents, including Argentina, Canada, and Colombia, all ranked within the top 30 of the FIFA world rankings. The USWNT will kick off the tournament with a match against Argentina on March 1 at GEODIS Park in Nashville, followed by a clash with Canada on March 4 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus. The final match will take place on March 7 against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
New Format and Roster Dynamics
This year’s tournament introduces a new format where matches tied at the end of regulation will proceed directly to penalty shootouts. Teams earn three points for a win, one point for a tie after regulation, and one point for winning the penalty shootout. In the event of a tie on points, tiebreakers will include overall goal difference, total goals scored, and head-to-head results.
The roster reflects a blend of experience and youthful talent, with 12 players having ten or fewer caps. The average age of the team is 24.4 years, slightly higher than the 24.1 recorded during the January camp. Notably, sisters Gisele and Alyssa Thompson have been selected together for the fourth time, following their first inclusion in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. They become the third pair of sisters to represent the USWNT, following the Fair twins and the Mewis sisters.
As the SheBelieves Cup approaches, the USWNT’s focus remains on growth and preparation, showcasing their commitment to developing a strong and competitive team for the future. With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, fans will be eager to see how this roster performs against international competition.
