USWNT 2027 World Cup roster predictions 3.0: Wilson and Davidson return, a possible goalkeeper shift?

The 2027 tournament in Brazil is now 433 days away, and even though our 2. 0 roster prediction was only five weeks ago , there have been changes. Chief among them are the long-awaited returns of striker Sophia Wilson and center-back Tierna Davidson.

Last month, Wilson was back on the pitch for the first time since giving birth to her daughter, Gianna — initially with the Portland Thorns, and then with an invitation back to the national team for the Japan matches. The 25-year-old Olympic gold medalist is still hunting her first goals for club and country but made a strong impression in the two starts she had against the champions of Asia. Davidson has been recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained last March and, like Wilson, earned her first recall during this window.

She played 25 minutes of the second game and 45 minutes of the third. After spending 2025 developing younger and less experienced players, head coach Emma Hayes appears to have identified who she wants to continue polishing for the World Cup, which could include a player who earned her first cap six months ago. A compelling battle to be Hayes’ No 1 goalkeeper is playing out in real time too after the friendlies that saw the USWNT win the first game 2-1, lose the second 1-0 and finish with a 3-0 victory.

Just like our 2. 0 roster, we’re not holding ourselves to any stringent parameters, but here are our choices. Melanie’s World Cup squad predictions Goalkeepers (3): Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals) Defenders (7): Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC) Midfielders (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes), Claire Hutton (Bay FC), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns) Forwards (6): Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns), Cat Macario (San Diego Wave), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current) This three-match window was a resounding success for Hayes and her team, with some players taking advantage of this window to leave a good impression.