SheBelieves Cup 2025: US Aiming to Continue Their Dominance

The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) will be the headline act when the tenth edition of the SheBelieves Cup is staged in February.

The US are striving to win the tournament for the eighth time and it would be a brave move to back against them achieving the feat.

Head coach Emma Hayes will use the event to evaluate her players and finetune her tactics before the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

Australia, Japan and Colombia complete the line-up for the round-robin tournament, which will be staged from February 20-26.

Hayes Focuses on NWSL Talents

The US squad consists of 26 players exclusively from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

The line-up is experienced, with 11 players from the 2024 Olympic gold-medal winning squad. There is also room for six newcomers to showcase their talents.

Several big names such as Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith are resting and recovering. Rose Lavelle has also missed out due to ankle surgery.

Preparations have started, although Hayes has concentrated the training camp in Los Angeles on development instead of playing matches, which allows her to evaluate the players first-hand.

“We want to foster an environment that helps players maximise their abilities,” Hayes said. “Having positive, growth-oriented experiences with the USWNT will help us build a deeper player pool.

“This will be the first camp where I can confidently say I have seen the vast majority of players I wanted to look at.”

Thie camp will also help Hayes decide who succeeds goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. The 36-year-old hung up her gloves after 115 caps and ten years of service to the USWNT.

Four goalkeepers are in camp trying to prove their credentials to take the mantle from the decorated shot-stopper, and Hayes will get more clarity from these training sessions.

Australia are Searching for Stability

For the first time since Sydney 2000, the Australians failed to progress beyond the group stage at the Olympic Games.

The Matildas sandwiched a fortunate victory over Zambia in between defeats against Germany and the US. Their results since then have been inconsistent.

Australia have yet to appoint a permanent replacement for head coach Tony Gustavsson which is undoubtedly having a negative impact on their performances.

However, Football Australia (FA) is in no rush to make an appointment. They are taking their time to find the right candidate to lead the Matildas through the 2026 Asian Cup, 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

“We’re playing the long game,” FA chief executive officer James Johnson said. “It’s about getting the right person, not the speed of the appointment.”

One of the main reasons they have not settled on a new manager is the dearth of available, world-class options.

The uncertainty could affect Australia as they look to bounce back with a respectable showing at the SheBelieves Cup. This is their first appearance in the tournament, and they are desperate to give an excellent account of themselves.

They will likely be heavily supported by Australian sports bettors, who are renowned for wagering on their compatriots when they compete in tournaments worldwide.

Aussie punters will be eager to grab the best odds on betting sites in Australia as they back the women’s team to upset the odds in the US.

SheBelieves Cup 2025 – Fixtures

February 20

• Japan vs Australia – Shell Energy Stadium – Houston, Texas
• US vs Colombia – Shell Energy Stadium – Houston, Texas

February 23

• Colombia vs Japan – State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona
• US vs Australia – State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona

February 26

• Australia vs Colombia – Snapdragon Stadium – San Diego, California
• US vs Japan – Snapdragon Stadium – San Diego, California