USWNT begin quest of defending World Cup title vs. Vietnam

MIAMI, Florida – The world is watching as to how the current World Champions are preparing for their debut in this year's FIFA Women’s World Cup. The United States Women’s National Team will begin their quest to defend their title on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, against debutants Vietnam to kick off things in Group E.

The USWNT will arrive Down Under not only to defend their current World Champion status, getting their fourth star at France 2019, but also with the opportunity to write history: If they lift the trophy one more time, they will be the first team in football history to win three consecutive World Cup titles.

But being trailblazers is nothing new for the North Americans, as they been so since the very beginning of the Women’s World Cup when they won the inaugural tournament in 1991. The four-time Champions arrive to their first tests in the group stage as Champions of the Concacaf W Championship, adding this title back in July of 2022.

This championship allowed them to qualify not only to the 2023 World Cup, but also to the next Olympic Games in Paris 2024, proving once more why they are ranked as the number one team in women’s football.

This World Cup roster is a mix of young and more experienced players, showing the depth of this team's talent. One of the players that already have her name written on two World Cup trophies is FW Alex Morgan. The Silver Ball winner at France 2019 arrives in great form to New Zealand, being the captain for her NWSL team the San Diego Wave, and also one of the captains for her country.

One of the new faces for this team, but also as important, is FW Trinity Rodman. The 21-year-old heads to her first World Cup as one of the promises of the USWNT, shining in previous tournaments, like the 2022 CWC and the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship (9 goals), and with her NWSL team, the Washington Spirit.

The first opponent for the current Champions will be Vietnam, who will be making their debut on the biggest stage in football. They arrive to the tournament after qualifying through the Asian Cup Playoffs.

Although it’s the first time they will play a World Cup, Vietnam is eager to take on the biggest tests in their football history, showing their mettle in several friendly matches prior to traveling to New Zealand.

With the entire world watching how they plan to get to the big Final one more time, the USWNT is ready to start their journey to defend their title, and write new history along the way.