2026 USWNT U-20 Women’s World Cup Roster: Full Squad, Players and Schedule
The United States U-20 women’s national team has announced its 21-player roster for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Head coach Vicky Jepson has selected a mix of professional and college players for the tournament. Eight players currently compete in the NWSL, while 13 are college athletes.
The tournament begins September 5, with the United States opening its Group Stage campaign against Italy on September 6. The Americans will also face Japan and New Zealand.
2026 USWNT U-20 Women’s World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers
Caroline Birkel, Stanford, St. Louis, Missouri, 6 caps
Evan O’Steen, Seattle Reign FC, Grapevine, Texas, 2 caps
Kealey Titmuss, Penn State, Grand Blanc, Michigan, 5 caps
Defenders
Aven Alvarez, UNC, New Hill, North Carolina, 12 caps
Ella Bard, Louisville, Wadsworth, Ohio, 6 caps
Lizzie Boamah, Stanford, San Diego, California, 6 caps
Pearl Cecil, Virginia, Encinitas, California, 2 caps
Emma Johnson, Penn State, Greenfield, Indiana, 9 caps, 1 goal
Hope Munson, UNC, Holladay, Utah, 6 caps
Katie Scott, Kansas City Current, Fairview, Pennsylvania, 11 caps, 1 goal
Midfielders
Kennedy Fuller, Bay FC, Southlake, Texas, 8 caps, 2 goals
Lily Joseph, Notre Dame, Hamden, Connecticut, 2 caps
Ainsley McCammon, Seattle Reign FC, Bedford, Texas, 6 caps
Y-Lan Nguyen, Stanford, Fairfax, Virginia, 5 caps
Nyanya Touray, Florida State, Silver Spring, Maryland, 4 caps
Linda Ullmark, Houston Dash, Buffalo, New York, 7 caps, 6 goals
Forwards
Emeri Adames, Seattle Reign FC, Red Oak, Texas, 4 caps, 1 goal
Alex Buck, Washington, Medina, Washington, 6 caps, 1 goal
Micayla Johnson, Chicago Stars FC, Troy, Michigan, 4 caps, 2 goals
Audrey McKeen, Racing Louisville FC, Vienna, Virginia, 2 caps
Sealey Strawn, UNC, Prosper, Texas, 2 caps
NWSL Players Lead the U-20 Squad
The roster includes eight players currently with NWSL clubs, giving the team valuable professional experience.
Houston Dash midfielder Linda Ullmark has recorded the most professional minutes among the players selected. She has made 19 starts this season, contributing two goals and three assists.
Bay FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller has played 1,382 NWSL minutes, while Seattle Reign midfielder Ainsley McCammon has recorded 1,165 minutes across 16 matches.
Seattle Reign also contributes goalkeeper Evan O’Steen and forward Emeri Adames to the squad.
Returning USWNT U-20 World Cup Experience
Emeri Adames and goalkeeper Caroline Birkel return after representing the United States at the previous U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, where the Americans finished third.
Their experience could be valuable as the United States attempts to make another deep tournament run.
U-17 Players Move Up to the U-20 Team
Four players from the United States team that competed at last year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup have moved into the U-20 setup.
They are Evan O’Steen, Pearl Cecil, Nyanya Touray and Micayla Johnson.
The U.S. U-17 team was eliminated on penalties in the round of 16 at that tournament.
Vicky Jepson Highlights Squad Unity
Head coach Vicky Jepson praised the players selected for the tournament and highlighted their pride in representing the United States.
She also thanked NWSL clubs and colleges for helping release players for the competition.
The tournament provides an important opportunity for the players to gain international experience against some of the world's strongest youth teams.
Emma Hayes Highlights Importance of U-20 Level
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has also emphasized the importance of the U-20 level in the development pathway for young American players.
The U-20 World Cup provides players with a major international platform as they work toward the senior national team.
Several current USWNT players have progressed through the youth national-team system, making the tournament an important stage for the next generation.
2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup Group Stage
The United States begins its tournament campaign against Italy on September 6.
The Americans will then face Japan and New Zealand during the Group Stage.
The tournament officially begins September 5 in Poland.
2026 USWNT U-20 World Cup Roster Summary
Vicky Jepson’s 21-player squad combines NWSL experience with college talent. The roster includes eight professional players and 13 college athletes.
Players returning from the previous U-20 World Cup, along with graduates of the U-17 program, give the United States a mix of experience and emerging talent.
The U.S. will begin its 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign against Italy on September 6 before meeting Japan and New Zealand in Group play.
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