USWNT drops 2026 SheBelieves Cup details

South Beach, bringin’ the heat.

USWNT drops 2026 SheBelieves Cup details

The USWNT set the SheBelieves Cup scene this week, announcing the annual friendly tournament’s field and scheduling details ahead of its 11th iteration.

• The No. 2 US will host No. 30 Argentina in Nashville, Tennessee, No. 10 Canada in Columbus, Ohio, and No. 20 Colombia in Harrison, New Jersey this March as they continue to hone their roster ahead of November’s World Cup-qualifying Concacaf W Championship.

• “These are three teams that will likely be in the World Cup in 2027, and of course we’ll likely see Canada in World Cup qualifying at the end of the year,” said US manager Emma Hayes. “Focusing on our continued preparations and growth as a team, the SheBelieves Cup is of great value.” (See full release)

Paying respects: The SheBelieves Cup finale will double as a USWNT retirement tribute, featuring a pre-match ceremony honoring legendary forward Tobin Heath.

• Heath earned 181 caps for the US from 2008 to 2021, scoring 36 goals while picking up two World Cup wins and two Olympic gold medals.

Up next: The US will drop their January camp roster later today, with international friendlies against Paraguay and Chile slated for the end of the month.

Kansas City makes big coaching, roster moves

Kansas City’s winter of change is revving up, as the 2025 NWSL Shield winners announced both a new manager and key player departures this week.

• Former MLS head coach Chris Armas will officially take the reins, after ex-boss Vlatko Andonovski moved to a Sporting Director role in November.

• “[Armas] brings an abundance of experience at the highest levels,” said co-owners Angie and Chris Long. “We are confident he will further cultivate and enhance our competitive environment as we continue to pursue championships and expand our global footprint.” (See full statement)

Big picture: Armas will have his work cut out for him, as Kansas City attempts to defend their Shield while major on-field contributors jump ship.

• Brazil national team star and 2025 NWSL MVP candidate Bia Zaneratto has left the club to pursue free agency, the Current announced Wednesday.

• “Her quality, both on and off the field, will be greatly missed. On behalf of everyone at the Current, we thank Bia for everything she has given to this club and to this city,” said Andonovski. (See full statement)

Bottom line: Kansas City is turning an untested leaf, committing to rolling the dice in 2026 after falling short of the title in 2025.

UCLA’s Jordan Chiles shines as NCAA gymnastics kicks off

Just one week into the 2026 season, UCLA women’s gymnastics is ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2018, with senior Jordan Chiles — a two-time Olympic medalist in her final year of NCAA competition — leading the charge.

• Winning the all-around in UCLA’s January 3rd opening meet, Chiles is the all-around No. 1, while also topping the bars, beam, and floor events and sitting second in vault. (See full rankings)

• “It is really easy to be at the end of your [college] career thinking, ‘Okay, I am good with where I am at,’ but they do not have that mentality,” Bruins head coach Janelle McDonald said of her senior-heavy squad.

Big picture: The NCAA-leading Bruins have little time to rest on their laurels, as they prepare to face 2025 champions Oklahoma, No. 4 Utah, and No. 5 LSU at this weekend’s Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad.

• “I’ve got the cutesy, I’ve done the hip hop,” Chiles said of her updated senior floor routine. “This is more like the passionate, confident last year of being a Bruin.”

Tune in: The Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad kicks off on Saturday at 2 PM ET, live on ABC.

PWHL announces Madison Square Garden takeover

Pro women’s hockey is coming to the Garden, as the No. 2 New York Sirens plan to host the No. 6 Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden on April 4th.

• While MSG staged a fan-less PWHPA game in February 2021, the PWHL matchup marks the iconic arena’s first ticketed pro women’s hockey event.

• “Madison Square Garden has a storied women’s sports history,” said Sirens GM Pascal Daoust. “This is one of those nights meant to be experienced together, in the building, as part of the history of our team, our league, and everyone who helps bring it to life.” (See full release)

Raising the stakes: The showdown serves as the pair’s final regular-season clash, with the 2025/26 series currently tied at 1-1.

• Seattle took the first meeting 2-1 behind goals from captain Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter, while New York stole the second 4-3 as NYC native Casey O’Brien’s hat trick lit up the league’s Dallas Takeover Tour stop

Be there: Season ticket-holder presale starts today, with Sirens newsletter subscribers following on January 12th and general sales opening January 13th at 10 AM ET via Ticketmaster.

WSL signs multi-year Mercedes-Benz deal

Mercedes-Benz is getting into the women’s game, with the luxury car giant becoming the official automotive partner of England’s WSL and WSL2 this week.

• The deal showcases Mercedes-Benz’s growing commitment to women’s sports, after signing on as the WTA Tour’s presenting sponsor as well as the official patron of the LPGA Tour’s AIG Women’s Open.

• “The Mercedes-Benz story began 140 years ago with a bold idea… Now, that same spirit of innovation and ambition drives our partnership with WSL Football,” said Mercedes-Benz UK CEO and managing director Olivier Reppert. (See full release)

Money talks: While financial terms weren’t disclosed, it’s just the latest big-name sponsor to back WSL Football, with some reports saying the two-league outfit has tripled its commercial revenue since splitting with the FA in 2024.

• “Bringing a brand of this calibre… will help us elevate the game, deepen engagement with fans and players, and accelerate long-term growth across both leagues,” said WSL Football CRO Zarah Al-Kudcy.

Up next: Mercedes-Benz will also present this spring’s inaugural interleague playoff, when the third-place WSL2 club takes on the last-place WSL team for a chance at promotion as a part of the top flight’s planned 14-team expansion.

Quote of the day

WNBA star & Unrivaled co-founder Breanna Stewart
on the likelihood of the WNBA and WNBPA reaching a CBA agreement ahead of tomorrow’s extended deadline.