SheBelieves Cup 2025: USWNT faces new challenges in a star-studded tournament lineup | OneFootball

The 2025 SheBelieves Cup arrives to reaffirm its status. Celebrating one decade of history, the tournament not only delivers high-level soccer but also the growth of the women's game. For this next edition, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Colombia will face off in the classic format with the promise of excitement and thrilling matchups.

While the USWNT want to keep their crown, Japan, Australia, and Colombia are out to surmount the odds and prove to themselves that they can compete at the highest level.

United States: favorites under pressure

Argentina v United States / Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages

The seven-time SheBelieves Cup-winning USWNT enter the competition as favorites, but to keep such momentum is undoubtedly weighing on the players. Unique challenges present themselves on the team after years of success, especially with a new coach in Emma Hayes, who will lead her first SheBelieves.

With matches against Colombia, Australia, and Japan, the U.S. will need to prove that it has all it takes against teams that have grown in leaps and bounds. Players like Trinity Rodman and Lindsey Horan will be players who can lead this squad with some of their brilliant performances in recent times. Added to that, the tournament will be one very important step for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Japan: Consistency and talent chasing an historic win

United States v Japan: Women's Football Quarterfinal - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 8 / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

As such, Japan has been one of the most consistent teams in women's soccer. With five appearances at the SheBelieves Cup, the team is anxious to finally win the title. Coach Futoshi Ikeda arrives with a balanced squad that is well recognized for its tactical discipline and playing style based on precise passing and intelligent movement.

Recently, Japan had to face the USWNT in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, losing 1–0 to a dramatic extra time. This recent history adds weight to their upcoming SheBelieves encounter, especially taking into consideration the rich history between the two teams.

Australia: getting back to shine after setbacks

Caitlin Foord in Germany v Australia - Women's International Friendly / Pau Barrena/GettyImages

The Matildas will make their SheBelieves Cup debut seeking a return to prominence after an indifferent Olympic campaign. Co-hosts of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they reached the semifinals, the team is now looking to regain consistency. Under interim coach Tom Sermanni-who knows the U.S. team well-Australia has the potential to surprise.

Matchups against the U.S., Japan, and Colombia will indeed measure the Matildas in terms of strength and adaptability.

Colombia: fight and international development

Linda Caicedo is one of Colombia's highlights / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

For their first appearance in the SheBelieves Cup, Colombia presents a mixture of young promising players along with more experienced ones. The team has grown much in recent years, with that great performance at the Paris Olympics as a highlight when they were so close to eliminating current World Cup champions Spain in the quarterfinals.

Las Cafeteras have a monumental challenge: they open the tournament against the U.S. However, with talented players and an encouraging performance over the last few years, Colombia can be expected to shine brightly and hold its place among the best teams worldwide.

Emblematic stadiums for the defining matches

The 2025 SheBelieves Cup will be played across three venues: Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, State Farm Stadium in Arizona, and Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. Each of these stadiums is steeped in its own history and atmosphere, which in turn provides the perfect setting for such critical games.

For example, Houston will stage the opener between the U.S. and Colombia. The home of the Houston Dash has been a fortress for the USWNT, which has never lost or drawn there. San Diego stages the final round, including the highly-anticipated matchup between the U.S. and Japan.

Impact beyond the tournament

With global broadcasts, the SheBelieves Cup not only highlights the talent of the players but also inspires future generations. This commitment to excellence, including recognizing individual brilliance to inspire players to push beyond the limits of their own potential, is reinforced by the Visa MVP Award, one of the tournament's highlights.

For the USWNT, it also offers a chance to experiment with lineups and give younger players crucial game experience. With three teams that took part in the Olympics, too, the event carries greater credibility and competitive relevance.