The U.S. Women’s National Team closes out the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa, with a highly anticipated clash against Japan. The USA needs a victory to win the tournament while Japan needs a win or a tie to lift the trophy. Both teams have historically been dominant forces in international women’s soccer, meeting in knockout stages multiple times over the decades, and this matchup promises to be a compelling test as the tournament reaches its final stage. A U.S. victory would mean a sixth consecutive SBC title for the Americans.
Here's what you need to know ahead of USA vs. Japan at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET (TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock, Westwood One).
USA’S LAST MATCH: A HARD-FOUGHT WIN OVER AUSTRALIA
The USWNT moved one step closer to a sixth consecutive SheBelieves Cup title with a 2-1 victory over Australia in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 23. Emma Hayes fielded a completely different starting XI from the lineup that faced Colombia – a rare move that highlighted the depth and experimentation in her roster-building strategy.
Forward Lynn Biyendolo wasted no time giving the USA the lead, scoring just 41 seconds into the match with a close range finish off a Jaedyn Shaw assist, setting the tone for an aggressive U.S. attack. The Americans doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Michelle Cooper netted her first senior international goal in just her second internationla match, finishing off a well-placed pass from Ally Sentnor.
Australia responded in the 80th minute with a headed goal from Michelle Heyman, but the U.S. defense, led by first-time captain Tierna Davidson and goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, held firm to secure the win. The match also saw 19-year-old Claire Hutton earn her first cap, continuing the trend of young talent gaining valuable experience under Hayes. Right back Gisele Thompson also earned her first start.
JAPAN’S LAST MATCH: STATEMENT VICTORY AGAINST COLOMBIA
Japan continued its SheBelieves Cup dominance with a decisive 4-1 win over Colombia, securing its second straight victory of the tournament. Japan struck early, with Momoko Tanikawa scoring just 18 seconds in – the fastest goal in SheBelieves Cup history. Mina Tanaka doubled the lead minutes later with a precise header off a corner kick.
Colombia pulled one back before halftime through Linda Caicedo, but Japan maintained control with fluid passing and relentless attacking play. Maika Hamano restored the two-goal cushion in the 57th minute and Tanaka capped off the performance with a clinical penalty kick finish in the 80th.
With a +7 goal differential and two wins, Japan enters the final matchday needing only a draw to clinch its first-ever SheBelieves Cup title.
MINA TANAKA LEADING THE VISA SHEBELIEVES CUP MVP RACE
Mina Tanaka has been the driving force behind Japan’s dominant SheBelieves Cup campaign, contributing to seven of Japan’s eight goals with four goals and 3 assists, underscoring her role as the team’s primary attacking weapon and a devastating playmaker.
Tanaka’s impact was on full display in Japan’s 4-1 win over Colombia, where she netted a brace and assisted another goal. Her clinical header in the eighth minute gave Japan an early cushion, and she later converted a penalty in the 80th minute to seal the victory. The performance tied her with Mallory Swanson for the most goals scored in a single SheBelieves Cup (4) with one match left to play.
Her ability to both create and finish chances has made her the focal point of Japan’s attack, and with her current form, she will be a major threat to the U.S. defense in the tournament finale.
EMMA HAYES’ LONG-TERM VISION
Emma Hayes continues to make it clear that her tenure with the USWNT is about both developing the stars of tomorrow while finding success in the here and now. Her lineup selections throughout the SheBelieves Cup have emphasized flexibility, depth, and opportunity, as she looks to evaluate different player combinations ahead with the next major international tournament in the fall of 2026.
Against Australia, Hayes fielded an entirely different starting XI from the team that faced Colombia, highlighting her commitment to testing her roster in competitive environments and ensuring players gain crucial international experience while allowing the coaching staff to assess chemistry across various tactical setups.
This match also marked a significant moment for team evolution with midfielder Claire Hutton earning her first cap, young defender Gisele Thompson making her first-ever start and veteran defender Tierna Davidson captaining the USWNT for the first time. The lineup changes also saw Alyssa and Gisele Thompson starting together, marking a rare occurrence in USWNT history with sisters on the field at the same time
By shifting lineups and experimenting with different personnel, Hayes is shaping a versatile and resilient squad capable of adapting to various playing styles. This strategic flexibility will be crucial against Japan, a team known for its precise passing, quick transitions, and relentless attacking movement.
USA VS. JAPAN: SERIES HISTORY
The U.S. and Japan have developed one of the most compelling international rivalries in women’s soccer, with plenty of high-stakes meetings on the world’s biggest stages. Their battles include back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals – Japan’s dramatic penalty shootout triumph in 2011 and the U.S.’s commanding victory in 2015 – along with a showdown for Olympic gold in 2012, where the Americans came out on top.
Most recently, the two sides clashed in the 2024 Olympic quarterfinals, where Trinity Rodman delivered a stunning overtime goal to lift the U.S. to a 1-0 victory. The tightly contested match showcased Japan’s disciplined defensive setup, as they frustrated the Americans for over 105 minutes before Rodman’s individual brilliance broke the deadlock.
Japan’s tactical approach and technical quality have consistently challenged the U.S., making every encounter a fascinating chess match between two of the world’s most respected teams. Their recent Olympic battle was no exception, proving once again that when these two nations meet, the margins are razor-thin.
JAPAN WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Ayaka Yamashita (Manchester City, ENG), 12-Chika Hirao (Albirex Niigata Ladies), 23-Akane Okuma (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
DEFENDERS (6): 2-Saori Takarada (Leicester City, ENG), 3-Moeka Minami (AS Roma, ITA), 4-Saki Kumagai (London City Lionesses, ENG), 5-Hana Takahashi (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies), 6-Toko Koga (Feyenoord, NED), 13-Hikaru Kitagawa (BK Häcken, SWE), 21-Rion Ishikawa (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS (7): 7-Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United, ENG), 8-Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion, ENG), 10-Fuka Nagano (Liverpool, ENG), 14-Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City, ENG), 15-Aoba Fujino (Manchester City, ENG), 16-Momoko Tanikawa (Bayern Munich, GER), 17-Maika Hamano (Chelsea, ENG), 18-Honoka Hayashi (Everton, ENG), 20-Narumi Miura (Washington Spirit, USA), 22-Yuka Momiki (Leicester City, ENG)
FORWARDS (3): 9-Riko Ueki (West Ham United, ENG), 11-Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals, USA), 19-Remina Chiba (Eintracht Frankfurt, GER)
The U.S. and Japan meet on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT. Fans can watch live on TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock, and listen via Westwood One.
