USWNT: Stellar Lineup for the 2027 World Cup, Who Will Play?

Although the 2027 Women’s World Cup seems far away, time flies. After the victory of the United States women’s national team in the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, coach Emma Hayes has only six more international windows to define her squad for the World Cup.Hayes has begun to reduce the USWNT player pool in recent months. As she and her coaching staff refine their tactics, one of the big questions for the next 15 months is: Who will Hayes trust as her starting eleven when the tournament begins in Brazil?Hayes has introduced a historic level of experimentation in the last year: 32 international debuts in his first 32 matches, far surpassing any other USWNT coach in that same period. This makes it difficult to determine what his preferred lineup is.Hayes’s focus is on preparing this new group of players for “tournament football”, where matches must be won in different ways.

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Hayes has stated that he will focus on building connections between the players, using two teams in three-match windows to develop those connections. This is a key priority.In the group stage of the World Cup, the variety of opponents and styles requires planned rotations. A “strongest” starting eleven can vary depending on the opponent. For example, a match against a low-ranked team would require an aggressive midfield, while a match against an elite rival might need double containment and more defensive coverage.The opponents will not be known until the World Cup draw, which will likely take place at the end of this year. Many things can change between now and the 2027 World Cup, from injuries and comebacks to dips in form.Considering all this, let’s see what Hayes’ lineup could look like for the June 2027 World Cup, based on his decisions and philosophies to date. It is important to clarify that this is a hypothesis, not a personal choice.

Will this be the USWNT’s starting lineup at the World Cup?ANGELA WEISS / AFP

Goalkeepers:

The options for the goalkeeping position are Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Claudia Dickey. The post-Alyssa Naeher era is shaping up with a competition between the two. They have had similar playing time, although a brief injury to Tullis-Joyce influenced her appearances. Tullis-Joyce impressed in her debut against Brazil and started in the SheBelieves Cup match against Canada. Hayes has highlighted her development with the ball and her leadership. Dickey is also a strong candidate for her shot-stopping abilities. Although it is not yet decided, Tullis-Joyce seems to have the lead.

Defenses:

The options for the defense are Naomi Girma, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Lilly Reale, Gisele Thompson, Avery Patterson, and Tara Rudd. Girma and Fox, in the center of defense and right back respectively, seem fixed. The left back is one of the big unknowns. Patterson and Gisele Thompson have important qualities, but Reale seems to have the lead. Davidson, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, is a key piece, but her physical condition is a concern. Sonnett and Rudd are also solid options.

Midfielders:

The midfield options are Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Heaps, Claire Hutton, and Lily Yohannes. Lavelle could be first on the list if she maintains her form and health. Coffey is almost certain in the defensive midfielder position. Heaps, the team captain, brings experience and quality. Hayes could lean towards veteran presence in the team’s backbone. Yohannes is a talented rising midfielder. Hutton is also shaping up as a long-term midfield base. The combination of Coffey, Heaps, and Lavelle is another option.

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Forwards:

The options for the forward line are Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, Catarina Macario, Sophia Wilson, Mallory Swanson, Ally Sentnor, and Jaedyn Shaw. The decisions in the attacking line are crucial for Hayes. Wilson and Swanson are recovering after their pregnancies. The combination of Rodman, Thompson, and Swanson could reunite in 2027. Thompson is a consistent and in-form winger, capable of outplaying defenses. Rodman brings creativity and confidence. The “9” position is in dispute between Macario and Wilson. Macario is a “false 9” who combines well, while Wilson seeks to stretch defenses and press. Also, there are Shaw and Sentnor, who can play in various attacking positions.

USWNT Lineup(s) for the World Cup

The USWNT’s “best eleven” is more like finding the right combination in the right match, from a group of approximately 15 players.It can be predicted what the lineup might look like if the USWNT adopts an aggressive stance, as it recently did against Argentina, and if Hayes feels she needs more coverage in a bigger game, such as in the recent matches against Canada.In the aggressive model, Yohannes is free to distribute and create plays. In the more compact model, Hutton and Coffey would form a double containment with Lavelle as a playmaker, Reale would be the most conservative full-back, and Alyssa Thompson and Rodman would be in charge of getting open. In any case, Tullis-Joyce is expected to be in goal as number 1.