The USWNT’s World Cup qualifying path is taking shape, setting a Concacaf W Championship quarterfinal clash with No. 8 El Salvador this November — with a trip to Brazil on the line.
The No. 1 US already qualified for the eight-team quarterfinals based on current Concacaf rankings, only needing a semifinal berth to secure a spot at the 2027 World Cup.
No. 2 Canada, No. 3 Costa Rica, No. 4 Mexico, No. 5 Jamaica, No. 6 Panama, and No. 7 Haiti also made the cut.
The three-round tournament spans championship and third-place matches, with the top four teams qualifying for the World Cup while the four losing teams compete for two tickets to the World Cup’s Play-Off Tournament.
The tournament’s top three finishers also qualify for the 2028 LA Olympics, with the US already holding an automatic bid as host.
It marks the first of three major centralized competitions in Concacaf’s new women’s national team calendar, set to run through 2029.
The tournament kicks off November 27th in Mansfield, Texas before moving to Houston's Shell Energy Stadium for the championship and third-place matches.
“Bringing a championship of this caliber to Houston reflects both the strength of our market and our commitment to advancing the women’s game at every level," said HDFC President of Soccer Operations Jessica O'Neill.
"Shell Energy Stadium has become a home for world-class soccer, and we’re proud to showcase our city, our fans, and the continued rise of women’s football on a global stage.”
The USWNT set the 2026 SheBelieves Cup scene this week, announcing the annual friendly tournament's full four-team field as well as scheduling details ahead of its 11th iteration.
The world No. 2 US will host No. 30 Argentina in Nashville, Tennessee, No. 10 Canada in Columbus, Ohio, and No. 20 Colombia in Harrison, New Jersey, this March as they continue to hone their roster ahead of November's World Cup-qualifying Concacaf W Championship.
"These are three teams that will likely be in the World Cup in 2027, and of course we'll likely see Canada in World Cup qualifying at the end of the year," said US manager Emma Hayes in Wednesday's press release. "Focusing on our continued preparations and growth as a team, the SheBelieves Cup is of great value."
The grand finale of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup will also double as a retirement tribute, with the USWNT set to hold a pre-match ceremony honoring legendary forward Tobin Heath in her home state of New Jersey.
Heath earned 181 caps for the US from 2008 to 2021, scoring 36 goals while picking up two World Cup wins (2015, 2019) and two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012).
The USWNT will drop its January camp roster on Thursday, tapping the lineup that will contend in two international friendlies against No. 46 Paraguay and No. 47 Chile at the end of the month.
How to attend the 2026 SheBelieves Cup
A myriad of presales for the annual tournament kick off on Thursday, with all tickets going on sale at 10 AM local venue time on Monday.
Fans can snag seats to all SheBelieves matches at USSoccer.com.
With two games left on their 2025 docket, the USWNT is already setting sights on 2026, announcing two friendlies as part of the team's January training camp.
The world No. 2 US will first kick off against No. 41 Paraguay on Saturday, January 24th, before taking on a still-unknown opponent on Tuesday, January 27th.
"I was pleased with the progress we made as a team in 2025, but we still have a ways to go to get to where we want to be heading into the Concacaf W Championship in the fall," said USWNT manager Emma Hayes.
The US will honor two-time World Cup winner Christen Press in a pre-game ceremony before the January 24th showdown, celebrating the longtime USWNT star's recent pro soccer retirement.
Press's hometown of Los Angeles will play host, as the team takes over MLS side LA Galaxy's Dignity Health Sports Park, with the first 2,000 fans taking home a commemorative CP23 bobblehead.
"January camp is a vitally important part of our yearly schedule, especially with 2026 being a year that will host World Cup qualifying," Hayes continued. "We don't get many training days together during any given year, so there is a high value in getting a whole week of training as well as two matches."
How to buy tickets to the January 2026 USWNT friendlies
Though a myriad of presale opportunities are currently available, tickets to both January 2026 friendlies will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday.
Tickets will drop at 1 PM ET online.