2023 SheBelieves Cup schedule announced
U.S. Soccer has announced plans for the upcoming 2023 SheBelieves Cup. The tournament originated in 2016 and was introduced as an inspiring movement to help young women and girls achieve their dreams.
Brazil, Canada, and Japan will join the United States in 2023’s version of the competition. The four-team tournament is set to be held from February 16th-22nd across three different venues around the country.
Exploria Stadium in Orlando, GEODIS Park in Nashville, and Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas will serve as host stadiums.
Team faces tough competition prior to World Cup
USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski claimed that the tournament’s competition will help prepare his squad for the Women’s World Cup.
“The first five games of the 2023 schedule will all be against teams playing in the World Cup and we expect to confirm a few more matches against top opponents before we go to New Zealand during the summer,” said the coach.
The Americans face World Cup co-hosts New Zealand for two friendly matches next month. Then the USWNT plays the three SheBelieves tournament teams the following month.
“We love the SheBelieves Cup for the world class competition it brings, the format that helps replicate group play at a World Cup and the overall meaning that it has for our team and women’s sports,” continued Andonovski.
“Obviously, you get more rest days in a World Cup, but managing a roster with three games over seven days against teams with three very different styles of play is really good preparation for us as we continue to grow as a team towards next summer.”
Cup features round-robin format
The SheBelieves Cup winner will be decided by points. Three points are awarded for a win and one for a tie. Goal difference will obviously be the first tiebreaker involved in determining a winner.
Brazil faces Japan in the opening match of the tournament.
Team U.S.A will begin their cup run with a match against Canada in Orlando. The USWNT then plays Japan in Nashville and finally Japan in Frisco, Texas.
Ticketing is a bit confusing, as a series of presale events begin on Monday, December 12th. However, general public tickets can eventually be purchased on Tuesday, December 20th.
As Warner Bros. Discovery sports previously signed an eight-year deal to broadcast USMNT and USWNT games, HBO Max and/or TNT will air the 2023 SheBelieves Cup.
A specific television schedule will be released at a later date.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo