The U.S. women’s national team is settling in for a long winter’s break after finishing the year with a pair of wins. The Stars and Stripes concluded 2025 with two victories against Italy and gained valuable insights from their journey.

Under coach Emma Hayes, 2025 had a significant focus on player pool expansion, paving the way for the upcoming 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Following December’s break, the squad will regroup in January for their annual camp. However, European players might be unavailable due to the timing of the international window, prompting evaluations of players both new and established in the expanded pool.

Looking forward, the World Cup qualifiers approach, with the Concacaf W Championship scheduled for November 2026. As new players join at the senior level and others in the U23 team, the choices for the coaching staff grow increasingly complex.

Here’s a look at who is likely to be a lock for qualifiers, who is on the bubble, and who might be on the outside looking in for the upcoming tournament.