The USWNT will face Argentina on March 1 in Nashville, Tennessee, then face Canada in Columbus, Ohio on March 4. Hayes’ team will close the tournament against Colombia on March 7 in Harrison, New Jersey.
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The United States will seek to regain the title it lost last year after winning five consecutive editions of the competition.
Most importantly, however, the USWNT is preparing for the 2027 World Cup, which it will aim to qualify for later this year in the Concacaf W Championship.
“The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament that gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,” said Hayes.
“Three quality matches in quick succession also allow us to replicate the conditions that will prepare us for the World Cup qualifying campaign this autumn. As always, we want to continue developing our group of players to be better and better prepared. As we gain more experience, I expect our standards to continue to improve.”
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Here are three thoughts on the USWNT’s roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup.
The regulars return with their sights set on 2027
After naming his squad for January friendlies against Paraguay and Chile, Hayes said the SheBelieves Cup squad would look much closer to a full-strength team heading into the 2027 World Cup.
“This is really the last window of preparation for 2027, where we will see opportunities for so many new players,” Hayes said last month.
Since the SheBelieves Cup takes place during a FIFA window, Hayes has the opportunity to call up the European players he couldn’t last month.
That means regulars like Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Lindsey Heaps, Sam Coffey and Alyssa Thompson, among others, are back.
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However, one regular European resident not in the squad is Catarina Macario, who has recently fallen out of favor with Chelsea and is reportedly close to joining the San Diego Wave.
Hayes was also unable to call up any Gotham FC players last month due to the NWSL team participating in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. Without that restriction, Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett, Jaedyn Shaw and Rose Lavelle get the nod this time.
Rose Lavelle #16 of the USWNT dribbles the ball against South Korea at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 1, 2024.
January’s Newcomers Return to the Mix
Hayes called up an inexperienced team last month as he continued to experiment to expand the player pool. Although the SheBelieves Cup roster is much closer to a full USWNT, Hayes has still made room for three new faces who impressed last month.
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Maddie Dahlien and Riley Jackson are in the squad after making their first international appearances in January. Jackson, 20, was excellent at dictating play from the center of the park in the 5-0 win against Chile.
Dahlien came on with 30 minutes remaining against Paraguay and Chile, and caused problems for the South Americans with his direct play on the flanks.
One of the most impressive players in January was Jameese Joseph, who came into camp with just one cap and put in a strong performance by scoring against Chile. The Chicago Stars forward made enough of an impression last month to be recalled this time around.
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 27: Jameese Joseph #26 of United States of America shoots and scores a goal against Fernanda Ramirez #3 of Chile during the first half of an international friendly soccer match at Harder Stadium on January 27, 2026 in Santa Barbara, California.
Sofia Wilson is still missing
Triple Espresso’s forward line remains at only a third of its operational capacity, with Trinity Rodman being the only representative on this list.
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Both Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson gave birth last year and are working to return to the field.
Swanson’s absence from this roster was expected, but there was some hope that Wilson could make the USWNT squad for the first time since 2024.
“The most important thing for Soph is preseason,” Hayes said last month. “I think if she achieves that then she can be considered for SheBelieves, but she has to have a solid pre-season at her club.”
Wilson’s return with the Portland Thorns appears close, but she won’t play for the USWNT until April at the earliest.
Mallory Swanson of the United States celebrates scoring a goal with Sophia Smith against Zambia in a women’s Group B match during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games at Allianz Riviera.
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)
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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; 9/31), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 1/13)
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
SheBelieves Cup 2026 Schedule
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March 1: Canada vs. Colombia – Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee – 1 pm CT
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March 1: USWNT vs. Argentina – Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee – 4 p.m. CT
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March 4: Argentina vs. Colombia – ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio – 3:30 pm ET
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March 4: USWNT vs. Canada – ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio – 6:30 p.m. ET
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March 7: Canada vs. Argentina – Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey – 12:30 pm ET
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March 7: USWNT vs. Colombia – Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey – 3:30 pm ET
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USWNT SheBelieves Cup Roster: Three Thoughts on Emma Hayes’ Team