The United States has named its squad for Poland, with U.S. Under-20 Women’s Youth National Team head coach Vicky Jepson selecting 21 players to compete at the 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
The tournament runs Sept. 5-27, with the Americans drawn into Group D alongside Italy, Japan and New Zealand. The U.S. begins its World Cup campaign against Italy on Sept. 6 before facing 2024 U-20 World Cup finalist Japan on Sept. 9 and New Zealand on Sept. 12. The first two matches will be played in Lodz, with the group finale taking place in Sosnowiec.
Jepson’s roster represents an increasingly common blend in American women’s youth soccer, combining 13 college players with eight professionals currently competing in the NWSL. The professional contingent represents Seattle Reign FC, Racing Louisville FC, Kansas City Current, Houston Dash, Bay FC and Chicago Stars FC. Nine players were born in 2006, seven in 2007 and five in 2008, with the latter group remaining age-eligible for the 2028 U-20 World Cup.
“We have selected a special group of players who bring a broad and diverse range of qualities from both the college and professional game,” Jepson said. “One thing we all have in common is the understanding that it takes everyone to win a World Cup.”
World Cup Experience Runs Throughout U.S. Roster
Although 11 members of the team are heading to their first world championship, Jepson will have plenty of FIFA tournament experience at her disposal.
Four players — goalkeeper Evan O’Steen, defender Pearl Cecil, midfielder Nyanya Touray and forward Micayla Johnson — represented the United States at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Touray led the Americans with four goals, while Cecil played every minute and captained the team in three matches.
Six members of the squad also participated in the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup, where the United States finished third. O’Steen won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s top goalkeeper, while Kennedy Fuller earned the Silver Boot after producing four goals and three assists. Fuller and Ainsley McCammon shared captaincy duties during the competition.
Two players return from the U.S. squad that finished third at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Caroline Birkel served as a backup goalkeeper during that tournament, while Seattle Reign forward Emeri Adames started all seven matches and led the Americans with four assists.
Professionals Bring NWSL Experience to Poland
Several of Jepson’s selections are already establishing themselves in the professional game.
Fuller, now with Bay FC, has played 19 matches and more than 1,300 minutes during the 2026 season, scoring three goals. McCammon has appeared 16 times for Seattle Reign and recorded four assists, while Houston Dash midfielder Linda Ullmark has accumulated more than 1,300 minutes with two goals and three assists. Ullmark was also named NWSL Rookie of the Month for July.
At 17, Racing Louisville’s Audrey McKeen is the youngest player on the roster. She scored her first NWSL goal on Aug. 7 against Orlando Pride, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Racing Louisville history. Micayla Johnson previously achieved the same distinction with Chicago Stars FC when she scored her first professional goal at 17.
Ullmark also enters the tournament as one of the Americans’ most dangerous attacking players at the U-20 level. She leads the team with four international goals this year and has six goals in only seven career U-20 appearances.
The college side of the roster carries significant credentials of its own. Stanford and North Carolina each contribute three players, while Penn State has two. Florida State, Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia and Washington are also represented. Four members of the roster competed in the 2025 NCAA College Cup, including Florida State’s Touray, who won the national championship as a freshman.
USA Looking to Build on Consecutive Third-Place Finishes
The tournament represents Jepson’s first World Cup since joining U.S. Soccer. The former Tottenham Hotspur assistant and Liverpool FC Women manager also brings previous experience coaching England at the U-17 level.
The United States enters Poland having finished third at both the 2024 U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, giving several members of this roster first-hand experience competing deep into a FIFA tournament.
“This group wears the crest with honor, and we’re excited to see what they can accomplish together,” Jepson said. “They all have tremendous pride in earning this opportunity to represent their country on the world’s biggest stage for their age group.”
The 24-team World Cup will feature six groups, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-place finishers advancing to the Round of 16. For the United States, the road begins Sept. 6 against Italy — and for a young roster already filled with professional, collegiate and international experience, Poland provides the next opportunity to establish the next generation of American talent on the world stage.
