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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
Emma Hayes, head coach of the U.S. women’s national team, emphasized the importance of the U-20 Women’s World Cup for player development in an interview with ESPN, noting that other nations have effectively leveraged youth World Cups to enhance their talent pools.
“The Under-20 event is the premier stage for young athletes to showcase their skills,” Hayes explained. “It’s vital for those who may have missed the Under-17 tournament to succeed at the Under-20 level.”
The upcoming 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup is slated to kick off on September 5 in Poland, though UEFA has indicated a commitment to boycotting FIFA events following FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to allow external investment in the organization, which has since been retracted.
Hayes has confirmed that she and her coaching staff plan to attend the U-20 World Cup next month for scouting purposes.
Historically, the United States has faced challenges in youth World Cups, with their last U-20 title dating back to 2012, when a talented group featuring players like Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz triumphed. Since then, the best finish has been third place in 2024, with the U.S. never having secured a U-17 World Cup title.
Hayes noted cultural differences in player development strategies, particularly when contrasting the U.S. with top European nations such as Spain, which places a strong emphasis on youth international competitions, even for those who have turned professional.
According to Hayes, these World Cup experiences and the rigorous competition at youth European Championships and the UEFA Women’s Champions League lead to players in rival countries competing much more frequently at high levels—almost a year more than their U.S. counterparts over a four-year period.
“I want to send a warning—I’m extremely concerned about the future of our American players and the experiences they are missing out on,” Hayes shared with ESPN. “It’s alarming.”
She pointed to the accomplishments of players like two-time world player of the year Alexia Putellas, who made a significant impact at the U-17 World Cup in 2010, and three-time world player of the year Aitana Bonmatí, who played in the U-20 World Cup in 2018 even after gaining senior international experience, as proof of their vital roles in sports development.
Spain demonstrated dominance in youth competitions leading up to their 2023 World Cup victory, marking their first senior title for women’s soccer.
Hayes emphasized, “The exposure that Spanish players gain through high-level international competition far surpasses what our players experience here.”
Hayes also highlighted how England has advanced its player development by placing a high value on international youth competitions. She commended players like Colombia’s Linda Caicedo, who has participated in several youth World Cups and is still an asset to her senior national team, currently playing for Real Madrid.
Recently, more American women have become professional players at younger ages as the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has eased restrictions on young talent. A notable example is Olivia Moultrie, who made headlines by suing the NWSL in 2021 to sign with the Portland Thorns at age 15.
This shift toward early professionalization raises the stakes for both players and their NWSL clubs, and the timing of youth international tournaments does not align with FIFA’s official release dates, often pulling players away from their clubs to join national teams.
Consequently, some of the top young talents have missed critical tournaments with the U.S. national teams. Players like Moultrie and forward Alyssa Thompson, who now regularly feature for the senior USWNT, were eligible for the 2024 U-20 World Cup but stayed with their clubs instead.
Hayes believes such situations are unjust for young players and insists that FIFA must schedule U-20 World Cups as part of mandatory international match windows.
She stressed that the experiences gained through World Cup travel and competition at that level are invaluable and crucial for understanding the pressures of international play. According to Hayes, those who excel at the U-20 World Cup are often better equipped for the senior national team.
“To understand what success looks like, you have to experience it firsthand,” said Hayes. “However, navigating the pressures of a tournament deep into the competition is an entirely different challenge.”
She noted the clear continuity among players from Spain and Japan, for instance, because they have formed lasting bonds as youth athletes.
Hayes has consistently advocated for the idea that eligible players need the opportunity to transition between the senior and U-20 and U-23 teams for more extensive experience.
“At times, we perceive that advancing to the senior team is the final step,” Hayes remarked. “‘I don’t need to revisit those past experiences.’ In reality, facing teams like Spain, Japan, France, England, Brazil, Germany, and Sweden at any level is essential for development.”
Hayes believes that participation in the U-20 and U-17 World Cups will be vital for U.S. players’ success in future World Cup cycles, particularly as they prepare for the 2031 tournament and beyond. She noted that the experience gained from the 2024 U-20 World Cup has already positively influenced the readiness of several current senior USWNT players vying for positions at the 2027 World Cup.
“Reflecting on the last cycle, when I consider players like Ally Sentnor, Claire Hutton, Jordyn Bugg, and Gisele Thompson — I know that without their participation in the U-20 World Cup, their progress might not have been as significant,” Hayes said. “For those who miss out, domestic success alone isn’t sufficient; they need broader international exposure for true growth.”