By Alyce Collett (18/2/26)
Above: The USA will be trying to win the SheBelieves Cup for the sixth time when the 11th annual edition of the tournament kicks off next month. Image: via US Soccer.
In a big week for international squad announcements, the United States has revealed its squad for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup, set to take place across the USA next month.
The squad of 26 has gained a significant boost in experience compared to the one that faced Paraguay and Chile last month.
There are 11 players in the SheBelieves Cup squad that was not in the January squad, including some of the country’s most experienced players like Lindsey Heaps, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett.
They come into the squad in place of some of the less experienced players like Avery Patterson, but there was also no room for players like Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt.
The squad includes only 13 members of last year’s SheBelieves Cup squad, and nine players named to their first ever SheBelieves Cup squad.
In perhaps another sign of the change in thinking of Head Coach Emma Hayes, this is the first squad with no uncapped players in it since Hayes took over in 2024.
Speaking at the squad announcement, Hayes praised the format of the SheBelieves Cup as good preparation for major tournaments like next year’s World Cup.
“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.”
The USA begins its SheBelieves Cup against Argentina in Nashville in Tennessee on March 1, before playing Canada in Columbus , Ohio on March 4 and Colombia in Harrison, New Jersey on March 7.
U.S.A Women’s National Team Roster – 2026 SheBelieves Cup
Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey, Mandy McGlynn and (Utah Royals; 5), Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Defenders: Jordyn Bugg, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Lilly Reale, Tara Rudd, Emily Sonnett, Gisele Thompson, Kennedy Wesley and Kate Wiesner.
Midfielders: Sam Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, Claire Hutton, Riley Jackson, Rose Lavelle, Olivia Moultrie, Jaedyn Shaw and Lily Yohannes.
Forwards: Maddie Dahlien, Jameese Joseph, Trinity Rodman, Emma Sears, Ally Sentnor and Alyssa Thompson.
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