Emma Hayes to finalize core US women’s national team squad soon

Emma Hayes – head coach of the United States women’s national team – has given debuts to 27 new players since being appointed as head coach two years ago.

Four new players joined the national team training camp this week – a final evaluation period that will determine the core squad for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The goalkeeper position remains a key focus for evaluation – three young keepers Angelina Anderson, Claudia Dickey, and Mandy McGlynn still lack international experience.

The defensive line is also still under assessment, with Naomi Girma being the only Europe-based player in the current squad. Young defenders like Tara McKeown and Emily Sams are starting to show their potential.

“I can only pick the players that are available, not the very best 23 or 26 players,” Hayes told ESPN.

After this evaluation period ends, Hayes will focus on preparing the core squad for next year’s World Cup qualifiers. However, the English coach emphasizes – domestic league performance remains a key consideration for future national team selection.