USWNT On Upcoming Brazil Matches: ‘These Are Tests That We Want’
The U.S. Women’s National Team prepares for two road matches against 2027 Women’s World Cup hosts Brazil
In April, the U.S. Women’s National Team bested Japan two games to one in a three-match series just weeks after the Nadeshiko clinched the AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy. This month, the USWNT will get two opportunities against the reigning Copa América Femenina champions Brazil in their home country.
Playing against some of the best opposition in the world has been a key part of head coach Emma Hayes’ strategy in preparing the team for the 2026 Concacaf W Championship – the USWNT’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – and if all goes well in the fall, for the World Cup itself.
“It presents really unique challenges,” defender Tierna Davidson told media on Friday, “going from a camp where you're playing a team like Japan, where you're having to solve a very patient and structured team, and then coming to play against a team like Brazil, where you're solving a very fast-paced, a bit more chaotic, more 1-v-1 type of team. Our ability to adapt and solve these types of problems game to game is so important for us to work on. As you go to a tournament, you're going to go up against all sorts of opposition, so you have to have your whole toolkit ready.”
Brazil is coming off three wins of their own during the April window, when the team defeated Canada, South Korea and Zambia in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Series. Now, the 2027 World Cup hosts can build momentum at home against the U.S. on June 6 and June 9 in two tournament venues.
“We know how strong they are,” said defender Emily Fox. “We also know we're playing at their home with their crowds, and next year is going to be a home World Cup for them, so I think we can see and understand how much that can mean to them. So, like Tierna was saying, the importance of second balls, winning your first contacts, your duels, and having high levels of communication, that's all things that we need to do for these next two games.”
Since their first meeting in 1986, Brazil has become one of the USA’s most familiar matchups. After these two June matches, Brazil will be tied with Japan as the USA’s fourth-most frequent opponent with 45 games played, behind only Norway (50), China (61) and Canada (69).
There’s also familiarity between the American and Brazilian players from club competition. Nine players on this Brazilian roster play in the NWSL alongside numerous USWNT players including reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year with KC Current, Lorena, and three players on the Orlando Pride roster, led by Brazilian legend, Marta. San Diego Wave FC also has three Brazilian players on this roster – Gabi Portilho, Ludmila and Dudinha – all of whom are forwards.
“I think Lorena has shown, particularly last year, what an outstanding goalkeeper she is for both club and country,” Hayes said. “Unbelievable presence, very brave, very good aerially. She's someone who's just not afraid to come for the ball, but I think she's really developed her all-around game. She, too, will know (our) NWSL players well enough, and that will bring confidence in her game.
“Dudinha, she can terrorize defenses, not just with her pace, but it's a pace in possession of the ball,” Hayes added. “She can go inside, she can go outside, she's unpredictable. Patience in defending her is absolutely critical, but I think she is a player destined for a massive future. I think she's got all the qualities to be one of the very best, so what a great opportunity we have, to defend her in her home country. These are the tests that we want for our team.”
The game on June 6 would mark 665 days since the USA defeated Brazil in the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal match. The sides have met twice since then, both in April of 2025, with each side coming away with a win.
During the near two-year span since the Olympics, both Hayes and Brazilian head coach Arthur Elias have developed the depth of their squads and dominated international play. Now as two of the top six ranked teams in the world prepare for two matches, there’s a level of excitement not just for another chapter in their long history, but a potential preview of what could come next summer.
“There's an unbelievable belief amongst [Brazil] two years on that they can create huge problems for top opponents, particularly knowing that they're hosting a World Cup,” Hayes said. “When you experience a crowd here with an identity that's as clear as theirs, I think most teams in the world will tell you they're the toughest team to play. But I also think that we, too, have grown in two years, and so I think it will be interesting to see where the two teams stack up.”
Back to work 🫡 pic.twitter.com/9QWucs16Iw
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 3, 2026