The U.S. Women’s National Team will face its toughest tests of 2026 before turning its attention to World Cup qualifying, hosting world No. 1 Spain for two October friendlies. The teams will meet Oct. 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET, before facing off again three days later at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, at 7 p.m. ET. Recently retired USWNT icon Crystal Dunn will be honored before the opening match.
Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas is enjoying the World Cup as a fan while preparing for the next chapter of her club career as a free agent.
It's always hard for representatives of a team that did not succeed to make a point about issues with a qualifying format, but few could begrudge the frustration evident among the England squad on Tuesday after the Lionesses fell short of the one automatic qualification spot available to them for the 2027 Women's World Cup.