USWNT squad received most online abuse of any 2023 Women's World Cup team with England's Lionesses ranked third despite final appearance

The report, which was commissioned by FIFA and the Global Player's Union, identified that the perception of USWNT players not singing the national anthem often brought abuse online, with the theme of the team being 'unpatriotic' or 'anti-American.' The data from the study showed that the abuse piled on after the team were knocked out of the tournament in the round-of-16 by Sweden.

A message on social media from President Joe Biden, per the report, triggered the worst period of online abuse over the course of the tournament. It's added that one in five players were targeted with discriminatory messages, with "homophobic and sexual abuse" posts accounting for over one-half of all the hate on social media platforms over the course of the tournament.

The report adds that a U.S. player, along with an Argentine player, were targeted more than others.

“There can be no place on social media for those who abuse or threaten anyone, be that in FIFA tournaments or elsewhere," he said in a statement.

This was the earliest departure from a Women's World Cup ever for the USWNT, with the team coming into the tournament as back-to-back champions.

With current Chelsea Women's boss Emma Hayes set to take over as new coach of the USWNT at the end of the WSL campaign, the sky feels like the limit for the group, with top prospects breaking into the squad during December friendlies against China PR. With the likes of Mia Fishel, Jaedyn Shaw, Alyssa Thompson and Korbin Albert seeing minutes, there's an expectation that the field is completely open for each and every player under Hayes.

With the Paris games just months away, it will be a timely period for the group, with all players vying for a coveted roster spot.