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United States women's national soccer team

The United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) is the national women's association football team that represents the United States in international competition.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) is the national women's association football team that represents the United States in international competition. It is governed by the United States Soccer Federation and competes under FIFA and CONCACAF. The team is widely regarded as one of the most successful in women's soccer, with four FIFA Women's World Cup titles and five Olympic gold medals.

History

The team began competing in the mid-1980s and played its first match in 1985. It quickly became a dominant force in women's international soccer and has appeared in every FIFA Women's World Cup through 2023.

Major tournament success

The USWNT has won four Women's World Cups (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019) and five Olympic gold medals (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2024), along with multiple regional and invitational titles. Sources describe it as one of the most successful national teams in women's sport.

Organization and personnel

The team is governed by U.S. Soccer and competes in CONCACAF. Current roster information and staff are maintained by U.S. Soccer, and current leadership lists Emma Hayes as head coach and Lindsey Heaps as captain.

Notable players

The program has produced several globally recognized players, including Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Abby Wambach, and Alex Morgan. U.S. Soccer's all-time best XI also highlights several of these players.

Key facts

  • The USWNT has won four FIFA Women's World Cups and five Olympic gold medals.
  • It is governed by the United States Soccer Federation.
  • Kristine Lilly holds the record for most caps (354), and Abby Wambach is the top scorer (184 goals).
  • The team played its first match in 1985 and has appeared in every Women's World Cup through 2023.
  • The USWNT is considered one of the most successful national teams in women's sport.
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Canadian context

The USWNT is a major rival of Canada's women's national soccer team, with frequent meetings in CONCACAF and international tournaments.

Frequently asked questions

What does USWNT stand for?
USWNT stands for the United States women's national soccer team.
Who runs the team?
The team is governed by the United States Soccer Federation.
How many World Cups has the team won?
The USWNT has won four FIFA Women's World Cups: 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019.
How many Olympic gold medals has it won?
The team has won five Olympic gold medals: 1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2024.
Who is the all-time leading scorer?
Abby Wambach is the team's top scorer with 184 goals.
Who has the most caps?
Kristine Lilly holds the team record with 354 appearances.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_women's_national_soccer_team
    Supports: Nickname, governing body, confederation, captain, head coach, most caps, top scorer, FIFA code, and major tournament achievements.
  2. U.S. Soccerhttps://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt/roster
    Supports: Current roster and team personnel information.
  3. Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/United-States-Womens-National-Team
    Supports: Alternative naming and general identification of the team.
  4. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States_women's_national_soccer_team
    Supports: First match date, early history, and appearance in every Women's World Cup through 2023.
  5. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Soccer_Federation
    Supports: Summary of the team's major titles and status as one of the most successful teams in women's soccer.