USWNT vs. Spain: World's top 2 teams meet in potential preview of 2027 World Cup final

WASHINGTON — A meeting between the top-ranked teams in women’s soccer — the reigning world champions vs. the defending Olympic gold medalists — is something fanatics and casual observers alike are aching to see in the late stages of the 2027 World Cup . But in a pair of friendlies nine months ahead of time? Not so bad, either. In a possible preview of next summer’s semifinals or final in Brazil, the second-ranked U.S. and No. 1 Spain will clash twice in a span of 76½ hours 120 miles apart. The first is Saturday (2:30 p.m. ET, TBS) at Audi Field in Washington, the second Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, TNT) at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The results will not carry much weight, especially with key players missing from both rosters, but will provide insight into decorated programs that haven’t faced each other in four years and have only collided four times in history. “It's a huge opportunity, especially with it being friendlies,” forward Trinity Rodman said Friday. “We've had the privilege to have great opponents this year going into a World Cup year. Obviously happy we're able to play this one in the U.S. and to have our fans behind us.” Trinity Rodman and the USWNT will face top-ranked Spain twice in four days in a potential preview of next summer's World Cup final. Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos via Getty Images These are the latest in a series of serious tests for the U.S., which won two of three at home against No. 5 Japan in April and split two away encounters with No. 7 Brazil in June. It’s also building toward CONCACAF World Cup qualifying next month, when the U.S. will need only to win one game — against No. 78 El Salvador — to secure passage to next summer’s competition. (Even if a monumental upset took place, there is a backdoor to the World Cup via the intercontinental playoff.) The U.S. is quick to point out it still needs to qualify, but for all intents and purposes, these friendlies are World Cup tuneups. Coach Emma Hayes said she is aiming to “just keep improving our game. It's not one thing; it's all of it. It's just making the collective better. It's making the collective understanding to think tactically, apply the right decisions, because we like our players to be able to manage what we call the hybrid expectations that you need in a game.” These tuneups are also a long-term test for Spain, which has already qualified for the World Cup. “They’re two friendly games, but we’re approaching them as if the World Cup starts here,” captain Irene Paredes said. “Before, we looked at [the U.S. women’s national team] from several steps below and wanted to be like them — in terms of the game, drawing crowds and conditions. Now we can go toe-to-toe with them.” Spain has orchestrated one of the most stunning ascents in women’s soccer. Not until five years ago did it crack the FIFA top 10. Since then, the Spaniards have won the 2023 World Cup and finished second in the 2025 European Championship. The developmental system has produced two of the past three under-20 world titles and two U-17 trophies. Since falling to the U.S. in the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, Spain’s senior squad has lost just 10 of 104 matches. In the past 27 games, the only regulation losses have come against European champion England. Spain has sat atop the FIFA rankings since August 2025. “We know they're a great side,” said Lily Yohannes, a midfielder from French power Lyonnes who, at 19, is the U.S.’s youngest. “They've shown their individual quality, but also collective quality, and that's something we're definitely excited for. To face a great opponent is really great for us. We've played a lot of different types of opponents this past year, and it's the best prep we can get heading into World Cup qualifiers. Really looking forward to these two games and seeing how we can grow and how we can relish this opportunity.” It’s a homecoming for Yohannes, who grew up in Springfield, Virginia, just outside Washington, before moving to the Netherlands with her family nine years ago. She attended D.C. United matches at Audi Field and played youth soccer in Northern Virginia. With a foundation of family and friends in the D.C. area, Yohannes said she is expecting more than 60 guests to attend Saturday’s match. “I don't even know that many people!” Rodman said. “What are we doing? That's crazy. And she didn't even ask me for my tickets. Sixty?” Audi Field is also friendly confines for two Washington Spirit players, defender Tara Rudd and Rodman, who, with 11 goals and eight assists, is enjoying the most productive of her six NWSL seasons. Mallory Swanson, who hasn't played for the USWNT since the 2024 Olympics, could return Saturday against No. 1 Spain. Maria Lysaker via Getty Images Mallory Swanson’s potential return highlights USWNT roster Saturday could very well mark the return of star forward Mallory Swanson, who, because of childbirth, has not played since the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “She's really finding her feet, so I've been impressed with her this week” at training camp in Georgia, Hayes said. “Being in camp this week reminded [her] again what another top player we've been missing for a period of time, and our goal is to get back to those levels. We’re on the way to doing that.” This camp also reopened the door for North Carolina Courage winger Ashley Sanchez, Rodman’s former Spirit teammate whose 20 goals have tied the league’s single-season scoring record. A two-goal scorer in the NWSL last year, the 27-year-old was last invited to the national team in early 2025 and her last match appearance was two Octobers ago. “She's been through a lot of ups and downs of coming into a national team, not starting, getting traded, and just so many things she's overcome,” Rodman said. “Being the top goal-scorer on the wing is really impressive. I'm just really happy for her, and I do think this is her time.” The U.S. task, though, grew taller this week after two key players — center back Naomi Girma and defensive midfielder Sam Coffey — withdrew with injuries. Previously, several other regulars were ruled out: defender Emily Sonnett, midfielders Olivia Moultrie and Croix Bethune, and forward Catarina Macario. Hayes also opted to send Jaedyn Shaw and Ally Sentnor to under-23 camp this week. Because of injury, Spain is without two of the world’s best: midfielder Aitana Bonmatí and forward Mariona Caldentey. Regardless of personnel on either side, the U.S. is aiming to up its game. “We have been working so hard for the last few months, not just in this camp, to be prepared for these matches, but ultimately to test our tactics, our style of play against the best team in the world,” defender Kennedy Wesley said. “[It] is exactly what we want, especially going into World Cup qualifying and World Cup year.”