Do USWNT newbies at SheBelieves Cup have a shot at World Cup next year? - ESPN

When U.S. women's national team coach Emma Hayes announced her roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, I'm sure I wasn't the only one quickly scanning for Sophia Wilson's name.

As it happens, Wilson was «not ready» following the birth of her child, according to Hayes. Mallory Swanson isn't in the roster either, following the birth of her child, which makes Trinity Rodman the lone present member of the Triple Espresso frontline. Toss in the injured Catarina Macario, and you have a USWNT attack that's far from full strength.

However, the attacking players deeper down the USWNT's depth chart won't be the only ones with an opportunity to impress their manager this window. Ahead of next summer's Women's World Cup, Hayes is continuing to evaluate the player pool, even going so far as to call in two players who made their debut in January's camp. Add in a fierce competition for the starting left back spot — one formalized by Crystal Dunn's retirement — and there's little doubt that World Cup roster spots are up for grabs in the outfield.

With Hayes eyeing this three-game window as a way to «replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,» the stakes at the SheBelieves Cup could be high for the players who haven't yet solidified their standing with the team.

So, let's assess the USWNT's newbies — the eight outfield players with fewer than seven caps called up for the March matches — who have hopes of playing in FIFA's biggest tournament next summer. Of course, all three goalkeepers in camp are inexperienced, too, with less than eight caps. Each one hopes to take the reins from Alyssa Naeher following her international retirement, but the goalkeeper situation is a bit different than what's going on with the outfield players.

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