The U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) is set to elevate its competitive edge with the commencement of the **SheBelieves Cup** on Sunday, March 5, 2026. Following a successful start to the year with two friendly matches in California, the annual tournament will see the USWNT compete against **Argentina**, **Canada**, and **Colombia** in a series of doubleheaders.
This year’s tournament will take place over three matchdays: the first in Nashville, Tennessee, the second in Columbus, Ohio, and the final in Harrison, New Jersey. The USWNT has a strong history in the SheBelieves Cup, having clinched victory in seven of the previous ten editions, with **Japan** winning the tournament last year.
Veteran Presence and New Challenges
The USWNT roster features a more seasoned lineup, prominently including **Emily Sonnett**, who holds the distinction of participating in all 11 editions of the tournament. This is the first time since Coach **Emma Hayes** took command that the roster features no uncapped players. “The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament, which gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,” said Hayes. “Three quality games in quick succession also allow us to replicate conditions that will prepare us for the World Cup qualifying campaign this fall.”
The squad includes several players currently plying their trade in Europe, such as **Emily Fox** (Arsenal), **Naomi Girma** and **Alyssa Thompson** (Chelsea), and **Sam Coffey** (Manchester City). Notably, Thompson recently transferred from **Angel City FC** to Chelsea, joining her sister **Gisele Thompson** and new teammate **Emily Sams** from Angel City.
A significant change to this year’s SheBelieves Cup format is the introduction of penalty shootouts in the event of a tie. While total points will still determine the tournament winner, teams will earn three points for a win, one point for a tie after regulation, and an additional point for winning the penalty shootout.
Upcoming Matches and Schedule
The USWNT opened 2026 with impressive victories, defeating **Paraguay** 6-0 on January 24 and **Chile** 5-0 on January 27. Looking ahead, the team has scheduled three matches against **Japan** in April, further intensifying their preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.
The SheBelieves Cup matches are set as follows:
**March 5, GEODIS PARK, Nashville, TN**
11:00 a.m.: Canada vs. Colombia
14:00 p.m.: USWNT vs. Argentina (broadcast on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Peacock)
**March 8, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, OH**
12:30 p.m.: Argentina vs. Colombia
15:45 p.m.: USWNT vs. Canada (broadcast on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Peacock)
**March 7, Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, NJ**
10:30 a.m.: Canada vs. Argentina
12:30 p.m.: USWNT vs. Colombia (broadcast on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Peacock)
The USWNT is expected to leverage the experience and skill of its roster as it aims for another successful run in the SheBelieves Cup, setting the stage for a robust qualifying campaign later in the year.
