Behind the Numbers: The U.S. U-20 WNT at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team is just days away from its match against Italy to kick off its 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in Poland.

Head coach Vicky Jepson last month named the 21 players that would represent the crest at this year’s tournament. The squad is a mix of professional and college players, many of whom have previous youth World Cup experience, and is ready making another run to the podium after finishing third in 2024 in Colombia.

"We have selected a special group of players who bring a broad and diverse range of qualities from both the college and professional game,” said Jepson. “One thing we all have in common is the understanding that it takes everyone to win a World Cup.”

Here’s a closer look behind the numbers of the 21-player roster:

For Country

• The squad has a total of 128 U-20 caps, averaging just over six caps per player. All players on the roster have been capped at the U-20 level, led by Emeri Adames (17), Aven Alvarez (12 caps) and Katie Scott (11 caps), who are the only three players in double-figures.
• Ten players on the roster have represented the USA at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and/or a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Caroline Birkel and Emeri Adames were both on the roster for the 2024 edition of the U-20 tournament in Colombia. Adames started all seven matches and recorded a team-high four assists.
• Eight players were also on the roster for the 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship team that earned a berth to this World Cup. Five players – Kennedy Fuller, Linda Ullmark, Emma Johnson, Katie Scottand Sealey Strawn – each scored in that tournament.
• The team has scored a total of 15 goals at the U-20 level, led by Linda Ullmark with six. Four of her six goals have come in 2026.
• The USA roster features nine players born in 2006, seven born in 2007 and five born in 2008. The five born in ‘08 – Evan O’Steen, Pearl Cecil, Nyanya Touray, Micayla Johnson and Audrey McKeen – are also age-eligible for the 2028 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. McKeen is the youngest player on the roster, while Alex Buck is the oldest.

For Club

• For just the third time, a U.S. roster at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will feature professional players. Eight players, the same as the 2024 roster, currently compete for six different NWSL clubs.
• Three of the pro players are in their rookie season (Evan O’Steen, Linda Ullmark, Audrey McKeen), two are in their second season (Katie Scott, Micayla Johnson) and three are in their third season (Kennedy Fuller, Ainsley McCammon, Emeri Adames).
• Six of the pros opted out of college soccer. Linda Ullmark, who played two seasons at UNC, and Katie Scott, who played part of one season at Penn State, were the two who played collegiately. All but Ullmark signed professional contracts as high schoolers.
• Three of the pro players are the youngest-ever scorers for their clubs. Emeri Adames became Seattle Reign’s youngest goal scorer in 2024, while Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars) and Audrey McKeen (Racing Louisville) set their club record this season.

For College

• Of the 13 college players on the roster, two are freshmen, seven are sophomores and four are juniors.
• Eight different colleges are represented on this roster. Stanford and UNC lead the way with three players each. Penn State has two players, and Florida State, Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia and Washington have one each.
• Four players on the roster played in the 2025 NCAA College Cup: Caroline Birkel, Lizzie Boamah and Y-Lan Nguyen for runner-up Stanford and Nyanya Touray for NCAA champion Florida State. Touray won the title as a freshman, boasting two goals and two assists in 16 appearances.