Alex Morgan, Trinity Rodman, and the rest of the US women's soccer team are at the center of a new collectibles deal.
Upper Deck has partnered with US Soccer to become the official source of authenticated USWNT memorabilia, giving fans direct access to signed gear tied to the program's top players.
Inside Upper Deck's Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman Drops
To mark the launch, Upper Deck released two exclusive collections.
The first honors Morgan's international career and her 123 USWNT goals. The second highlights Rodman's 2024 Olympic gold-medal run.
Both lines include hand-signed jerseys, Olympic canvas posters, and a dual-signed print titled "American Glory." Together, the pieces span two generations of US women's soccer.
"The landscape of women's sports has changed so much since I started my career, so I'm proud to have been a part of that growth and now work with Upper Deck to help fans take part in that journey," Alex Morgan said in an Upper Deck press release.
"There's no better way to stay connected with my fans than to team up with a brand that shares the same passion. Their commitment to supporting the Alex Morgan Foundation is further proof this collaboration is the perfect fit."
The partnership arrives with a major tournament on the horizon.
When Is the Next Women's World Cup?
The 2027 Women's World Cup kicks off in Brazil on June 24th with an expanded 32-team field. So far, 14 nations have already qualified, including host Brazil, defending champion Spain, and fellow contenders Germany, France, and Australia.
The USWNT's path runs through CONCACAF qualifying, with remaining spots still up for grabs before the intercontinental playoffs in February 2027. For Upper Deck, the timing gives collectors a full year to build out their USWNT memorabilia ahead of the tournament.
The soccer calendar might be getting more crowded. This week, reports surfaced indicating that US Soccer and other domestic women’s pro leagues are considering introducing interleague soccer matches as early as 2028.
The NWSL has apparently been involved in the talks. First-tier USL Super League and upcoming second-flight WPSL Pro league have also showed interest.
Formatting could also feature amateur and semi-pro clubs, mirroring the men’s century-old US Open Cup and England’s FA Cup.
According to ESPN, however, the governing bodies are leaning more toward a shortened NWSL-style clash. That plan stands in contrast to a traditional season-long event.
It would likely be modeled after the pro league’s single-game Challenge Cup. Dating to 2020, the modern Challenge Cup started as a longer Covid-era competition.
“Details like format and structure of the potential competition are being approached with a blank slate rather than directly copying the men’s US Open Cup,” a source told ESPN.
The White House has withheld required government guarantees for the United States-led 2031 Women’s World Cup bid as the Trump administration pressures FIFA to change its transgender athlete policy, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations.
President Donald Trump has yet to sign off on mandatory commitments including obligatory visas, tax exemptions, and security provisions needed for the World Cup bid to advance. The guarantees typically process via US Soccer before reaching FIFA as part of the bidding package.
The joint proposal from the US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica remains FIFA's only bid for the expanded 2031 tournament. However, FIFA approval originally planned for the April 30th congress has been delayed until later in 2026. The move stems from the White House failing to provide the necessary documentation despite the bid's formal presentation in October 2025.
FIFA holds only one bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup, giving significant leverage to the White House in its effort to pressure soccer's governing body to adopt an IOC-style gender policy banning transgender athletes from women's sports.
White House Links World Cup Guarantees to Gender Policy Change
Trump signed an executive order in February 2025 banning athletes not assigned female at birth from women's sports. The order instructed the Secretary of State to use "all appropriate and available measures" to enforce this policy across international sports organizations.
"President Trump's leadership has set a new standard for protecting the integrity of women's sports," Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup, told The Athletic . "We urge the entire sports world to commit to this principle and ensure fair competition for female athletes."
In March 2026, the International Olympic Committee announced compulsory gene testing that bars transgender athletes from competing in women's events. The IOC policy claims it "protects fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category." World Athletics implemented a similar gender policy in July 2025 in the lead-up to the Tokyo World Championships.
FIFA has spent nearly four years reviewing its gender eligibility regulations. However, it has not issued guidance beyond its 2011 gender verification standards. The standing gender policy does not dictate set testosterone minimums.
US Soccer Faces Political Pressure Tied to White House Guarantees
US Soccer submitted its bid book in late 2025, naming 14 US stadiums among 20+ proposed North American venues. The current four-country bid identified venues in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Seattle, Arlington, and East Rutherford.
Sources at US Soccer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Athletic the guarantees had not arrived but insisted there had been "positive dialogue." (US Soccer declined to provide a direct statement.)
The 2031 tournament is set to become the biggest Women's World Cup yet, expanding from 32 to 48 teams. The joint bid estimates $4 billion in potential revenue — approximately eight times the 2023 World Cup's earnings.
"We have some time to figure it out. There's gonna be a ton of learnings from the '26 Men's World Cup," US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said. "FIFA has been a great partner. We'll continue those conversations."
The USWNT will debut a fresh look in April, as US Soccer and Nike released new jersey designs on Monday, uniting all 27 national teams with the 2026 Men's World Cup kits — the first time every US team will suit up in the same kits in federation history.
The designs follow a distinct concept — a bold, waving "stripes kit" and a dark, more nuanced "stars kit" — influenced in part by US men's players as they prepare to host the FIFA tournament later this summer.
"I think between both kits there is something for everybody," said Nike global product director Ronnie J. Stewart in Monday's statement. "If you want to be loud and proud and represent the crest, no one's going to doubt who you're there for in the light [stripes] kit. If you're looking for that lifestyle look that works off the field, the dark [stars jersey] is for you."
US Soccer and Nike will further lean into the intersection of soccer and lifestyle by dropping a streetwear collection inspired by the new kits later this spring.
In the biggest release in US Soccer history, some 2,500 retailers across the country are now carrying the jerseys to ensure fans can suit up before this summer's Men's World Cup — though its unclear how many will stock versions showcasing the USWNT's four world championship stars.
"A national team jersey represents the pride of wearing the crest, not just for players on the field, but also for the fans who support them every step of the way," said US Soccer CCO Dave Wright.
How to buy the new 2026 US Soccer jerseys
The new 2026 kits dropped across major sportswear retailers on Monday, including the Official US Soccer Store.
The world No. 2 USWNT retakes the pitch on Sunday, opening the 2026 SheBelieves Cup against No. 30 Argentina as the US looks to take back its tournament crown.
The USWNT already made two defensive replacements to the SheBelieves roster in training camp this week, with Avery Patterson taking over for Kate Wiesner due to a calf issue while a hamstring knock saw Jordyn Bugg swapped out for Emily Sams.
Despite the changes, US manager Emma Hayes remains focused on honing roster stability, entering the three-game round-robin tournament armed with both NWSL stars and European standouts.
The US has never lost or even drawn Argentina, holding an all-time record of six wins over La Albiceleste while tallying 35 straight goals against the Latin American squad since their first meeting in 1998.
That said, the USWNT still has something to prove, as the team looks to return to the top of the SheBelieves podium after No. 8 Japan snapped its five-tournament winning streak last year.
There are slight shifts to the annual competition this year, however, with US Soccer allowing the four participating teams to name their 23-player game-day lineups from their larger training camp pools.
The federation also enacted a format change that will see any tied match go directly to penalty kicks, with teams winning in regulation awarded three points, penalty-kick winners earning two points, and shootout losers taking one point in the race to claim the most total points and win the tournament.
How to watch the USWNT vs. Argentina at the 2026 SheBelieves Cup
The No. 2 USWNT welcomes No. 30 Argentina to Nashville for their first match of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup on Sunday.
The clash kicks off live at 5 PM ET on TNT.
Another USWNT legend is hanging up her boots, as 2019 World Cup champion and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Crystal Dunn announced her retirement from professional soccer on Thursday.
"This decision has not come easily, but I am at peace and deeply fulfilled with all that I have accomplished," Dunn wrote in her Instagram retirement post. "I've achieved nearly everything I dreamed of in this sport and gave all I had to give. I'm ready to embrace the life that awaits me on the other side."
"I look forward to spending more time with my family and being a more present mom," she continued. "This was not a decision made lightly, but was one made with immense gratitude for everything I've experienced as a professional soccer player."
The 33-year-old won her two major trophies in her 160 caps with the USWNT as an outside back, though the breadth of her talents as a forward and midfielder saw Dunn pick up both the 2015 NWSL MVP and Golden Boot awards with her first pro club, the Washington Spirit.
Across her tenures with the North Carolina Courage and the Portland Thorns, Dunn also amassed three league championships (2018, 2019, 2022), and three NWSL Shields (2018, 2019, 2021).
Most recently competing in the NWSL for Gotham FC before capping her career with top-flight French club PSG, Dunn also retires as one of the USWNT's most prominent Black voices, with US Soccer calling her "a role model to many young players of color across the country who aspired to reach the highest levels of the game" in the federation's Thursday tribute.
"I've grown through challenges, celebrated incredible triumphs, and cherished every part of the journey," added Dunn.
Orlando has landed a new front office leader, as the Pride announced on Tuesday that they've hired former Kansas City Current GM Caitlin Carducci as the Florida NWSL club's new VP of soccer operations and GM.
"Caitlin is a proven leader whose experience across every level of women's soccer and history of building championship-caliber rosters set her apart," said Pride owner and chairman Mark Wilf in the team's Tuesday statement. "She emerged as the clear choice in our search with her deep expertise, strong reputation, and a vision that aligns with our culture."
Carducci, whose resume also boasts roles developing the women's game at both the NWSL's headquarters and for US Soccer, stepped away from the Current after two seasons, departing after Kansas City's historic 2025 Shield-winning run.
She replaces outgoing VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter, who left the Pride in November prior to becoming the new president of soccer operations for the Washington Spirit.
Rather than instigating significant changes, Carducci plans to bolster the recent accomplishments of the 2024 Shield and championship-winning Orlando Pride with a goal of creating ongoing success for the club.
"The chance to work with the Wilf family, whose leadership and investment reflect their commitment to a world‑class organization, along with a championship‑level roster and technical staff, made this an easy decision," said Carducci. "I'm eager to begin this next chapter, strengthen the inclusive and ambitious culture that defines this club, and help push the Pride toward new heights."
The USWNT is gearing up for the new year, with US Soccer announcing Tuesday that the world No. 2 team will take on No. 45 Chile in the second of their two January friendlies.
Three days following their 2026 debut against No. 41 Paraguay in Los Angeles, the USWNT will face Chile some 100 miles north at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara on January 27th — the senior national team's first-ever match in the California city.
"Playing in a city for the first time is not a common occurrence at this point in our history, so I know our players will enjoy being in beautiful Santa Barbara," US manager Emma Hayes said in Tuesday's press release.
"Our staff are really looking forward to January camp and these matches against two tough South American countries," Hayes continued. "This is the start of an important year for our team and, as always, we're focused on maximizing every minute we get with the players."
While Chile already began their 2027 World Cup journey in their confederation's ongoing qualifying tournament, the USWNT will spend much of 2026 gearing up for November's final eight-team Concacaf competition to punch their ticket to the Brazil-hosted world championship.
The most recent of the US's three total clashes with Chile came at the the 2019 World Cup in Paris, resulting in a 3-0 group-stage win for the USWNT.
How to buy tickets to the January 2026 USWNT friendlies
A myriad of presale opportunities for both January 2026 friendlies will become available starting at 1 PM ET on Wednesday, with general sales opening at 1 PM ET on Friday.
Fans can purchase tickets to both matches via US Soccer.
US Soccer officially launched the Kang Women's Institute on Tuesday, creating a new platform dedicated to "advancing health, performance, and development for women and girls across the sport" funded by $55 million from multi-team owner Michele Kang.
"For far too long, women and girls have trained under systems and standards built for men, and the Kang Women's Institute is an essential first step in changing that," US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said in a federation statement. "By grounding our work in real research and evidence, we can finally give female players the support, care, and understanding they deserve.
"This is the beginning of a much larger effort, and Michele has helped us take a huge leap forward in reshaping the future of the women's game for generations to come."
After adding a $25 million investment last April to her original $30 million pledge to US Soccer in 2024, Kang is going all in on addressing the stark lack of sports medicine and exercise science research into women athletes — and female physiology at-large.
"This Institute will put female athletes at the center of US Soccer's scientific research and build the evidence, systems, and standards that will allow women and girls to reach their full potential," promised Kang.
The Institute also outlined its early initiatives in Tuesday's press release, with injury prevention and workload management, developmental best practices, and physical and mental player well-being headlining the projects.
"This is not just about closing a research gap," said Kang. "It's about creating a future where every player has the knowledge, care, and opportunity to thrive."
The USWNT is eyeing another 2025 victory, with US Soccer announcing the finalists for the federation's end-of-year awards on Monday, including the five women nominated for US Soccer Female Player of the Year.
After stellar runs for both club and country, Arsenal defender Emily Fox, Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey, Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle, and Chelsea FC forwards Alyssa Thompson and Catarina Macario headline the 2025 shortlist.
The youth national teams' Young Female Player of the Year award also tapped top finalists in Angel City forward Riley Tiernan, Chicago Stars forward Micayla Johnson, Seattle Reign defender Jordyn Bugg, Gotham FC defender Lilly Reale, and University of Virginia freshman defender Pearl Cecil.
The USWNT also earned a Game of the Year nomination, with US Soccer recognizing the team's dominant 3-0 victory over North American rival Canada in July.
While national team play is paramount in determining the honorees, club performances also factor into the awards, with several Player of the Year nominees significantly adding to their resumes away from the international pitch in 2025.
In May, Fox helped Arsenal to the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League title and Macario lifted the WSL trophy with Chelsea, while Gotham stars Lavelle and Reale finished their NWSL season as league champions late last month — with Reale also taking home the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year trophy.
How to vote for the 2025 US Soccer Player of the Year Awards
Players, coaches, media, the US Soccer board, and fans will determine the ultimate winners, with fan picks making up 15% of the final tally.
Fans can submit their votes online now through Friday, December 12th, with US Soccer slated to announce the winners in January.