Which team will face the USWNT in January for a friendly match? | OneFootball

As 2026 kicks off, the US Women's National team will be looking to start the year off right. They will finish camp on January 27 by taking on Chile. The camp and friendly matches against both Chile and Panama (on January 24) will be the first indicators of the team's shape as it prepares for the World Cup in 2027.

The youth movement seems to be taking hold for the national team, as most of the old guard have retired since the last World Cup. They were a part of the Gold Medal team secured in 2024 at the Olympics.

The roster includes all players from the NWSL. Five of the players from the NWSL were on the league's champion, Gotham FC. This includes Emily Sonnett who were on the 2019 World Cup winning team.

It will be a very interesting camp as Emma Hayes will have many decisions to make as the World Cup inches closer and closer. Despite an early exit in 2023, the United States should be considered another favorite this time around.

The roster also includes Savannah Demelo. The young Racing Louisville star has had several key injuries due to Graves disease. She has not made an appearance in a national game since 2023. It would be a huge accomplishment against Panama or Chile.

This will mark the fourth time in history the United States will play Chile

The two countries played in a pair of friendlies in 2018 and also played in the Group State at the World Cup in 2019. The World Cup match was won 3-0 by the United States. They were led by two goals from Carli Lloyd.

The United States is ranked second in the world, behind Spain. Chile is currently ranked 45th and will be looking for their place to qualify for the 2027 World Cup.

Lloyd represented the old guard and where the Women's National Team was. Now Coach Hayes is looking at beyond what the team was and what it can be as January's camp and the match against Chile will represent.

The Coach that brought Olympic gold back to the United States two years ago spoke about the chances of the matches and camp present.

"Our staff are really looking forward to January camp and these matches against two tough South American countries. This is the start of an important year for our team and as always, we’re focused on maximizing every minute we get with the players.”

The US Women's National Team is known for staying on top at all times. The match against Chile will represent how the next wave and younger generation of American-born players can prove that.