Above: The USWNT lifts the SheBelieves Cup trophy. Image: USWNT on X.
By Emmanuel Faith (10/3/26).
There are three certain things in life: Death, taxes, and USA hosting and winning the She Believes Cup.
Japan put a dent on that record last year, but USA were insistent on restoring the almost untarnished record, and this year, they did it with style finishing with a perfect 3-0 in the round-robin tournament.
There were a lot of memorable moments, from Emma Hayes’ mic drop moment when asked about changing her whole squad to the telepathic presence of the Thompson sisters.
Below are our top ten moments from this year’s competition.
- Defensive solidity; The United States Women team is known for their attacking prowess but under Emma Hayes, they have doubled down on their defensive sturdiness as they kept three clean sheets in three games despite facing the fiery attack of the Colombians and the technical trickiness of the Canadians. Every American will hope this continues at the World Cup next year as they look to reaffirm their global dominance.
- Linda Caicedo’s bedazzling brilliance; When the Colombian superstar broke out in 2022, the world acknowledged her brilliance but also wondered how long she’d last. Well, her performance reminded the world why she is one of the best youngsters out there, and her solo goal against Argentina is a moment worth replaying.
- Canada Break Goal Drought: After 485 minutes of goal drought, the Bayern Munich defender, Vanessa Giles netted a 31st minute header against Argentina. They will score three more and end the match 4:1, but that header was monumental to the Canadians finishing second behind the host, USA.
- Kailen Sheridan’s goalkeeping heroics: Alongside her crucial saves in the final match against Argentina, The North Carolina Courage also saved two penalties to ensure her country finished second, a result pivotal to their general morale given their drab run of matches.
- Thompson sisters scintillating display: There are many wonders in this world, and one of them is playing with your sister in a competitive match for your country. Both Giselle Thompson and Alyssa Thompson started the second match against Canada and dominated the left-wing completely. In fact, they were so brilliant that Emma Hayes jokingly asked in the press conference when their youngest sister Zoe plan to go pro.
- Emma Hayes mic drop comment: When asked about changing ten out of players out of the eleven that started in the first match, Emma Hayes replied that
“I don’t have a ‘starting eleven’ and a ‘bench.’ I have 26 players who are all good enough to wear this crest. If I don’t trust them to play in a final or a rivalry match now, how can I trust them in a World Cup knockout game? My job isn’t to protect a winning streak; it’s to build a team that’s durable enough to win three games in seven days.”
- Phallon Tulis-Joyce clean sheets: When Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement, there were questions around who her successor was going to be. There were reliable options from Seattle Reign’s shot stopper, Claudia Dickey who started against Colombia to Jane Campbell who was named as part of the alternates in 2024 Olympics but it is the Manchester United shot-stopper that seems the most likely to take over the huge shoes. From keeping two clean sheets to recording a 95% accuracy in pass distribution, she might be the heir to the throne American fans seek so dearly.
- Alyssa Thompson’s Banger: I had resisted the urge to make this number but this was undisputedly the moment of the tournament. An 81st minute thunderous strike in front of a full crowd against a continental opponent? A perfect glimpse of glamour. It is a goal worth rewatching a hundred times and more.
- Tobin Heath celebration: America is known for honoring their former players and it felt good for fans to see Tobin Heath celebrated by different generations of American players. Heath addressed the crowd from a podium, expressing her gratitude for a 13-year international career that included 181 caps, 36 goals, and two World Cup titles.
- Alyssa Thompson’s MVP and cellies: From the celebration with her sister to the “scuba dance” dance from TikTok and her cheeky dance after being announced as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, for the eldest Thompson sister, this will be one of the most memorable tournaments and her goal will stay in the heart of the fans for a long period of time.
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