USA Names 21-Player Squad for FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland

The U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team has its roster for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, which kicks off September 5. Head coach Vicky Jepson named 21 players, eight of whom are already professionals in the NWSL with clubs including Seattle Reign, Kansas City Current, and Houston Dash, while the remaining 13 are current NCAA standouts. The squad's mix of pro and college talent shows there is more than one path to representing your country on the world stage. Some players are already earning paychecks in a top professional league, while others are balancing World Cup preparation with college classes and campus life — proof that development timelines look different for every player. The Americans open the tournament against Italy on September 6, before facing 2024 finalists Japan and then New Zealand to close out the group stage. Every player on the roster has already been capped at Under-20 level, led by veterans of the age group with double-figure appearance counts. For young female players following the tournament, the roster is a reminder that consistent performances at youth national team level, not just club form, are what get you noticed for a World Cup squad. Staying involved in youth international camps over several years, rather than one standout tournament, is often what builds the track record selectors are looking for. Source: U.S. Soccer (https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/08/ynt-u20-wnt/vicky-jepson-names-21-player-roster-u20-fifa-world-cup-poland)