The SheBelievesCup begins today, a tournament that comprises of four national teams from at least two confederations and has been played yearly since 2016.
This year, the United States (host) will look to defend their title against Canada, Brazil and Argentina. Initially Japan were set to join the tournament, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Argentina have replaced the Japanese team.
The participating nations will play a round-robin tournament. Points awarded in the group stage follow the usual: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. A tie in points would be decided by goal difference.
The chosen venue is Exploria Stadium, in Orlando, Florida.
European national teams France, England, Spain and Germany have already participated in this tournament. The French won in 2017 and the English in 2019.
Capacity for SheBelievesCup matches will be limited to no more than 4,000 ticketed fans and a socially distanced seating manifest will be used.
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United States
Coach: Vlatko Andonovsk
Photo: US Soccer/Twitter
- United States are the host of the tournament, who have won three editions (2016, 2018 and 2020).
- The last USA matches were two friendlies against Colombia in January, they won by an aggregate score of 10-0.
- Samantha Mewis is out of the tournament after suffering an ankle injury in the second match against Colombia. She was replaced by Jaelin Howell.
- Tobin Heath is out because of an ankle injury
- Alex Morgan and Christen Press come back after missing January matches due to illnesses.
- The list features 17 players currently playing in the NWSL and six playing in Europe.
- Carli Lloyd comes into the tournament with 296 caps. If she reaches the 400th, she will become the third in the USA and in the world to reach that goal.
Canada
Coach: Bev Priestman
Photo: Canada Soccer/Twitter
- Canada features eight players currently playing in Europe and 13 who plays in the United States.
- Canada's last competitive appearance was in March 2020 at the Tournoi de France
- Due to an injury, Canada will be without Christine Sinclair, all-time leading international scorer with 186 goals.
- Canada also loses services of Ashley Lawrence, Kadeisha Buchanan and Jordyn Huitema, who play for French clubs that did not allowed them to leave the country due to the new FIFA statute.
Brazil
Coach: Pia Sundhage
Photo: CBF/Twitter
- Pia Sundhage has two goals: to test the team in the final stretch of preparation for the Tokyo Games and to choose the last six undefined places of the Olympics roster.
- The confrontation that matters most to Brazilians is against the United States, since they are undefeated against Argentina and Canada.
- Argentina was Pia's debut at the helm of the national team in August 2019: 5-0 at Pacaembu. Canada is also a well-known opponent of the coach: the Brazilians won 4-0 in November 2019, at the Yongchuan International Tournament, and drew 2-2 in March 2020, at the Tornoi de France.
- Geyse and Valéria replaced Luana and Formiga, who are missing due to Paris Saint Germain refusing to grant permission to travel.
- This will be the second appearance for Brazil at the SheBelievesCup.
- Their last games were two friendlies against Ecuador in November and December.
Argentina
Coach: Carlos Borrello
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Photo: AFA /Twitter
- It will be Argentina's first time at SheBelievesCup, after being chosen to replace Japan due to Covid-19 pandemic.
- Yanina Sosa will replace Vanina Correa, after not getting permission to leave Spain due to her constant positive results of Covid-19.
- Boca Juniors have six Argentinian representatives in the squad.
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Matche Schedule - Group Stage
Thursday- February 18th
9 p.m. GMT - Brazil vs Argentina
12 a.m. GMT - United States vs Canada
Sunday - February 21st
8 p.m. GMT - United States vs Brazil
11 p.m. GMT - Argentina vs Canada
Wednesday - February 24th
9 p.m. GMT - Canada vs Brazil
12 p.m. GMT - United States vs Argentina