After two very competitive friendlies this month, the identity of the United States' opponents later this year may have just been made clear. One year out from the World Cup in Brazil, Emma Hayes' side travelled to South America for two meetings with the hosts. On Saturday, despite taking a very early lead through Sophia Wilson's long-range strike, the Stars and Stripes were beaten 2-1 in São Paulo. However, on Tuesday, the U.S. got back on track, with Wilson the match-winner this time, her shot deflecting in via defender Isabela Chagas.
So now, who will the USWNT face next? Well, in November, they will return to action with the CONCACAF W Championship. Victory over El Salvador at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium will book the four-times winners' spot at next summer's World Cup, followed by a semi-final and final, likely to be up against Jamaica and then old foes Canada.
However, there is still one international window before then coming up in early-October. So, could they take on European opposition? Well, the group stages of UEFA World Cup qualification concluded across the continent on Tuesday night. Only four teams qualify automatically, with 32 more entering the play-offs, which take place in the October and November international breaks.
So far, only the League A group winners are guaranteed to be in Brazil next summer. They are Denmark, France, Germany and world champions Spain. So, could the U.S. face any of that quartet? Of course, U.S. Soccer do favour playing friendlies on home soil. Prior to this recent double-header in Brazil, their last 23 friendlies had been at home while, since November 2021, 53 of their 59 friendlies had been played on U.S. soil. However, they have proved themselves to be not totally adverse to a rare excursion to Europe.
At the end of December, USA took on England at Wembley and Netherlands in Den Haag, having also visited London and Pamplona in October 2022. That was their most-recent meeting with Spain, beaten 2-0 at El Sadar; Laia Codina and Esther González the scorers. A month later, Germany travelled stateside for a double-header, winning 2-1 in Fort Lauderdale, before a victory by the same scoreline for the U.S in New Jersey three days later. The pair subsequently clashed twice at the Olympics too.
The USWNT haven't met Denmark since a 5-1 win in San Diego in January 2018, while they beat France behind-closed-doors in Le Havre in April 2021. Thus, Hayes and supporters alike will be hoping for two high-profile friendlies come October, so could we see the United States over in Europe once again?
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