SheBelieves Cup, an annual invitational tournament based in the United States, returns Sunday, March 1 with an entertaining quartet of opponents for the U.S. women’s national team in a slate of matches across Nashville, Tenn., Columbus, Ohio, and Harrison, N.J.
The next week will serve as a meaningful reset for the U.S. as some key European-based players return to the roster as well as those from Gotham FC who missed the last camp while playing in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. After a year of experimenting with the U.S. player pool, head coach Emma Hayes has said she will use this camp to help solidify her core senior group as the team looks ahead to World Cup qualifiers in the fall and the long-term future of the program.
This year’s edition features the U.S. (No. 2 in FIFA ranking), Colombia (No. 20), Argentina (No. 30) and Canada (No. 10). The reigning SheBelieves champions, Japan, are not in the mix, as they take part in the Asian Cup for a spot in the 2027 Women’s World Cup. (The U.S. is set to face them for three consecutive matches in April). The U.S. holds a record seven SheBelieves titles, while France, England and Japan each hold one.
This year, teams will be allowed to field a 26-player tournament roster for the first time. However, only 23 players can suit up for each match. Also, any match that ends in a tie will go directly to penalty kicks. The winner of the competition is still determined by points, with teams earning three points for a win, one point for a tie and one point for winning the penalty kick shootout during the round-robin tournament.
Here’s everything else you need to know about SheBelieves 2026.
Head coach Emma Hayes called in 26 players for SheBelieves Cup as she looks to transition to World Cup qualifying later this year. (Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster
Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG)
Defenders (9): Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit), Emily Sams (Angel City FC), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC),
Midfielders (8): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA), Claire Hutton (Bay FC), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA)
Forwards (6): Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG)
How to watch
Fans can watch the doubleheader games on Mar. 1, Mar. 4 and Mar. 7.
All USWNT games will air on the TBS family of networks in English and Universo in Spanish, with every tournament fixture streaming on HBO Max in English and Peacock in Spanish. All three U.S. games are also available on the radio in English on Westwood One and in Spanish on Futbol de Primera.
Sunday, Mar. 1
GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn.
- Canada vs. Colombia – 1 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. ET
- USA vs. Argentina – 4 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Mar. 4
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio
- Colombia vs. Argentina – 3:30 p.m. ET
- USA vs. Canada – 6:45 p.m. ET
Saturday, Mar. 7
Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J.
- Canada vs. Argentina – 12:30 p.m. ET
- USA vs. Colombia – 3:30 p.m. ET
Alyssa Thompson is one of seven European-based players returning to the USWNT squad for SheBelieves Cup. (Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)
Key players to watch
For the U.S., Alyssa Thompson, who had a breakout first season at Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, will reunite with sister Gisele Thompson. Gisele has enjoyed her own breakout year with Angel City, where she is evolving into a more visible leader. Will their individual growth lend to even more chemistry on the pitch? What an exciting prospect.
There’s also Trinity Rodman, who may be back in full form after a successful January camp and with NWSL preseason under her belt. Emily Sonnett is expected to feature in her 11th consecutive SheBelieves, as one of the most experienced players on this roster. On that opposite spectrum, Jameese Joseph (two caps) and Riley Jackson (one) are exciting prospects in this group.
For Canada, Utah Royals forward Cloé Lacasse will make her long-awaited return to the national team stage after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament, while Kailen Sheridan returns to the pitch after her shocking offseason move to North Carolina. When it comes to Colombia, we always have our eyes on Linda Caicedo, but we suggest NWSL fans pay close attention to Jorelyn Carabali, who is set to make her league debut in Boston. Argentina’s roster features a mix of seasoned players, including Florencia Bonsegundo and Aldana Cometti, with younger talents, including 19-year-old Mili Martin, also in the fold.
Who are the competitors?
The top-ranked USWNT are returning to SheBelieves eager to reclaim their crown. The team features an impressive line-up with most players holding ample experience on the international stage — a reversal from the recent U.S. rosters we’ve seen from Hayes. This roster features the most experienced line-up in over a year.
Leicy Santos is one of four Colombia players who play in NWSL. (Maria Lysaker/ Getty Images)
Colombia returns to the international stage after a 2025 that saw them nearly win their first Copa America Femenina after a dramatic finale against Brazil. The team has long been championed as a roster filled with rising stars, most notably Real Madrid’s Caicedo, but those stars are now more seasoned after enjoying some stability under head coach Ángelo Marsiglia. Colombia features four NWSL players: Daniela Arias at San Diego Wave; Jorelyn Carabalí at Boston Legacy; Valerin Loboa at Portland Thorns; and Leicy Santos at Washington Spirit. The team closes out the competition against the U.S. on March 7 in Harrison.
Argentina is technically the weakest of the four teams, but to doubt the South American side would be a mistake. They have the potential to surprise. They held their own against Colombia during last year’s Copa América semifinal, losing on penalty kicks. The team is still developing, with promising young players in their player pool. However, the team is without some of its usual stars, including scoring threat Yamila Rodriguez and 19-year-old Kishi Núñez, who has shone with Argentina on the U-20 and senior stages.
Canada returns to SheBelieves under head coach Casey Stoney with a roster half made up of NWSL players. This marks their fourth appearance in the competition, and their mid-week match against the U.S. promises to be one filled with drama. The Canadian-U.S. rivalry dates back to 1986, when the Canadian national team was founded, with the last time Canada beat the U.S. on American soil being Nov. 11, 2000. The team features a healthy mix of veteran players and emerging stars, including a first-time call-up for Bay FC’s Brooklyn Courtnall.
Jameese Joseph is one of the young players looking to prove herself worthy of a long-term spot of Emma Hayes’ U.S. roster. (Robin Alam / Getty Images)
What does this camp mean for the USWNT?
This year’s SheBelieves Cup has the potential to be a pivotal moment for Hayes and her U.S. senior side. The roster features a mix of players in mid-season and preseason form and marks the on-field reunion of the Thompson sisters.
There are some notable absences worth mentioning, including U.S. regulars Cat Macario and Tierna Davidson. Both are working their way back from injury. Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson are also working their way back after their pregnancies. Their absences mark key openings for players eager to prove themselves in a competitive setting against tough opponents. Think Joseph and Jackson, whose successful showings in January camp earned them a second consecutive call-up to the national team.
Many of these players have not played together on the international stage for the U.S. in some time, and it will be exciting to see how they reconnect on the pitch. Hayes will pay close attention to see what works and what doesn’t, but with a roster like this one, it’s clear that the U.S. is in SheBelieves to win it.
