Hayes sets USWNT roster for SheBelieves Cup – Equalizer Soccer

United States women’s national team defender Lilly Reale (23) celebrates with midfielder Rose Lavelle (16) after an assist on goal by midfielder Claire Hutton (not pictured) during the first half at Audi Field in Washington D.C. on July 2, 2025. (Photo Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images)

Emma Hayes named the 26-player roster that will attempt to reclaim the SheBelieves Cup for the United States next month. The 23 field players and 3 goalkeepers — all of whom are internationally capped — make up the 26-player tournament roster. Teams will be allowed to dress 23 of the 26 players for each match.

The United States will face Argentina on March 1 in Nashville, Canada on March 4 in Columbus, and Colombia on March 7 in Harrison, NJ. Last year’s winner, Japan, is not competing at this year’s SheBelieves.

“The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament which gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,” Hayes said. “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.”

New to the tournament this year is the 26-player, rotatable roster, and matches ending in draws proceeding to penalties. The new format means three points will be awarded for all matches. If a match goes to penalties, the winning side will earn two points, while the loser will earn one point.

Of the 26 players named Tuesday, 15 are carryovers from the all-NWSL January team that defeated Paraguay and Chile in the team’s first two matches of 2026. Notable European-based names heading to SheBelieves include forward Alyssa Thompson, midfielder Lindsey Heaps (who is contracted to join Denver Summit this summer), defender Naomi Girma, and goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Sam Coffey will be in her first USWNT camp since transferring to English side Manchester City. There are also four Gotham players on the roster — Lilly Reale, Emily Sonnett Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw — who were not selected in January because Gotham was competing at the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

The full USWNT roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup (with caps/goals) is:

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)