The 2024 SheBelieves Cup takes place this week, marking the ninth edition of the annual invitational women's football tournament.
From 6 to 9 April, Japan, Brazil, and Canada are joining hosts USA once more, with the quartet also participating in the 2023 edition.
The mini-tournament, which represents an important test ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, will take on a new format and here are the key things you need to know as the USWNT chase their seventh title.
- Who are the newcomers to the USWNT squad?
- Naomi Girma on championing equality and inclusion
SheBelieves Cup 2024: What is the new format?
The previous format of the SheBelieves Cup (SBC) would see four teams face each other once, with the side at the top of the standings crowned champions.
Last year, the USWNT stormed to victory, being the only team to win all three of their outings.
This time around, things have changed.
Due to time constraints, a short window will now see a semi-final, third-place play-off, and final format.
Hosts USA will take on Japan in the first semi-final, while Brazil and Canada face off.
The winners then meet in the final, while the losers go head-to-head to determine third place.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 19: Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States against Japan during the 2023 SheBelieves Cup at GEODIS Park on February 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
SheBelieves Cup 2024: Who are the players to watch?
With such highly ranked nations come some of the best players in the world who will be on show when this tournament returns to screens this week.
The USWNT have welcomed back highly-rated forward player Catarina Macario after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with fellow attackers Sophia Smith and the promising Jaedyn Shaw, who was their standout player at the recent CONCACAF W Gold Cup, also in the squad.
One player making headlines for their call-up is 16-year-old Lily Yohannes, who became the youngest player called up for the USA since the aforementioned Smith in 2017. The history-making teenager is thriving with Dutch club Ajax and will no doubt make an impression, if called upon, in either of the USWNT’s next two games.
At the back, they’re developing a solid defensive partnership in Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson, both of whom played critical roles in their Gold Cup victory. The pair could be paired together once more, particularly ahead of the Olympics this summer.
For Japan, the return of Manchester United midfielder Hinata Miyazawa could prove crucial for them as they look to fill the void left by Jun Endo, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in February. Having her back in the mix will help bolster their options.
Fellow midfielder Yui Hasegawa is rapidly establishing herself as one of the best midfielders in the Women’s Super League, where she plays for Manchester City, joined by West Ham’s Riko Ueki who has found her form this term.
There is also a call-up for 19-year-old Maika Hamano, who is regarded as one of the best young talents in the game, with the teenager looking to make her mark for the national team.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 19: Nycole of Brazil against Canada during the 2023 SheBelieves Cup at GEODIS Park on February 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Canada will be missing defender Jayde Riviere, who sustained an injury while playing for her club – it is the second time in consecutive tournaments they have been without the full-back, who had to withdraw from the Gold Cup last month.
They will, however, be enthused by the return of key starters Janine Beckie and Desiree Scott, who make their comeback to the national set-up for the first time since last year after recovering from long-term injuries.
Forwards Adriana Leon and Cloé Lacasse come into the tournament in good form for their respective clubs. There is also another chance for 19-year-old Olivia Smith to impress the coaches.
Brazil’s roster gives them a chance to look at some new faces, with the experienced leading the up-and-comers. Both Marta and Cristiane are in the squad, with well over 300 caps for their nation, and will be joined by the likes of Jaqueline (four caps), Jheniffer (uncapped), and Priscila (three caps) across that forward line.
Usual names like Geyse, Ary Borges, Debinha, Adriana, and co will all remain with their clubs as Arthur Elias opts to use the SheBelieves Cup as a chance to evaluate the talent he is working with, having taken the reigns just last year.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States celebrates with Alex Morgan #13 after scoring a goal against Canada during the first half in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup match at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
SheBelieves Cup 2024: Schedule & all results
*All times are local (UTC-4)
Saturday 6 April
- SF1: United States v Japan (12:30 KO) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- SF2: Brazil v Canada (15:30 KO) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
Tuesday 9 April
- Third-place play-off: Loser of SF1 v Loser of SF2 – Lower.com Field in Colombus, Ohio
- Final: Winner of SF1 v Winner of SF2 – Lower.com Field in Colombus, Ohio
How can you watch the action?
There is no shortage of streaming platforms to catch the action from this year’s tournament, with games split across TNT, NBC Sports, MAX (formerly HBO Max), and Peacock.
