From Feb. 27 to March 5, U.S. Soccer will host the fourth annual SheBelieves Cup, one of the most elite four-team international women’s soccer tournaments in the world. The top-ranked USA will welcome women’s soccer powers Brazil (No. 10 in the FIFA Rankings), England (No. 4) and Japan (No. 8). Here are five things to know about the 2019 SheBelieves Cup.

France Bound: 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Participants
This year, the SheBelieves Cup includes Brazil and Japan, two teams who have been part of the Tournament of Nations the past two years. They join England and the USA to make up an incredibly competitive field, as all four participants are not only among the top women’s soccer countries in the world, but more importantly, are all headed to France this summer for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Brazil, Japan and the USA are three of the seven teams that have participated in each of the seven previous Women’s World Cup tournaments.

• WATCH: WNT’S Top 10 Goals of 2018
• READ: 3 Reasons the SheBelieves Cup Transcends Soccer
• FIFA Women’s World Ranking

Schedule Format and How to Watch
The U.S. team begins its schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 27 against Japan at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. (7 p.m. ET on FS1). England will kick off the competition against Brazil (4p.m. ET on ussoccer.com) in the early game that day. All the teams will then travel to Nashville, Tenn. and Nissan Stadium where the USA will play England on Saturday, March 2 (3:30 p.m.CT on FOX), which will be preceded by Brazil vs. Japan (1p.m. CT on ussoccer.com). The tournament will finish on Tuesday, March 5, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. as Japan takes on England (5:15p.m. ET on ussoccer.com) followed by the tournament finale, featuring the USA against Brazil (8p.m. ET on FS1).

SheBelieves: Inspiring the Next Generation
Conceived and developed by the U.S. Women’s National Team players, SheBelieves is a movement to inspire young girls and women and encourage them to accomplish their goals and dreams, athletic or otherwise. The campaign was originally launched in the run-up to the 2015 Women’s World Cup but has since evolved and grown into a special bond between the team and its fans, taking its powerful message of empowerment and that of believing in yourself into communities across the nation. 

As one of the most popular women’s teams in the United States, the WNT is the prime example that dreams are attainable if you set your mind to it and go after what you want. Through dedication, teamwork, perseverance and success, the players in the U.S. team inspire new generations of young girls and women to be better and strive for better. They inspire them to believe.

SheBelieves Cup History
In the 2016 SheBelieves Cup, the USA defeated England and France by 1-0 scores and downed Germany, 2-1, in the de facto championship game to take the inaugural tournament title. Germany finished second, England was third and France was fourth. In fact, none of the games were decided by more than one goal with the results coming down to three 1-0 victories, two 2-1 victories and one 0-0 draw.

At the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, the USA defeated Germany 1-0 in the opening match on a goal from Lynn Williams, but fell to England 1-0 and France 3-0. France won the tournament, Germany was second, England third and the USA finished fourth. France defeated England 2-1, drew 0-0 with Germany and downed the USA, 3-0.

Last year, the USA took back the trophy, finishing ahead of England, France and Germany. This time, the teams scored 16 total goals and two games featured larger than one-goal margins with England beating France, 4-1, and France beating Germany, 3-0. The USA, in 2016, was the only team to win all three games in any of the previous SheBelieves Cups. 

 In the previous three editions, no individual player has scored more than two goals in a tournament. Four players have scored twice: Alex Morgan in 2016, Camille Abily of France in 2017, and Ellen White of England and Eugénie Le Sommer in 2018.

The Best Players in the World
Probably one of the most exciting things about the SheBelieves Cup, not only for teams and players but also for fans in the United States, is that the tournament provides the opportunity to watch some of the most talented women’s players on the planet.

This includes not only the U.S. players like prolific goal scorer Alex Morgan, or creative attackers like Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath, but also forward Eugenie Le Sommer and towering defender Wendy Renard of France; six-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta of Brazil and her strike partner Cristiane, veteran Japan players Rumi Utsugi of Reign FC and Saki Kumagai of two-time reigning UEFA Champions League winners Olympique Lyon, or England players like team leader Steph Houghton, veteran midfielder Jill Scott and Barcelona forward Toni Duggan.

Today marks a momentous day in the history of the U.S. Soccer Federation on the road to fulfilling its mission of making soccer the preeminent sport in the United States.

The announcement at the Detroit Auto Show that Volkswagen and U.S. Soccer have agreed to a unique multi-year presenting partnership – the iconic Volkswagen logo will be seen on the front of every training jersey worn by all the Senior National Teams, Youth National Teams and Extended National Teams – gives the Federation new platforms to continue to weave soccer deeply into the American culture.

Several key aspects of accomplishing these lofty goals are partnering with organizations that can reach a wide range of Americans while providing the financial resources to institute programs that continue to push the game forward.

A significant part of the new resources afforded to U.S. Soccer by Volkswagen will go towards helping to educate coaches, especially female coaches, at various levels of the coaching certification process. With more programs and more resources, U.S. Soccer can accelerate implementation and impact more people who can make positive contributions to the overall development of the game.

In addition, the promotional partnerships and dealer network that Volkswagen brings will allow U.S. Soccer to expand its overall reach and continue to be a driver for the sport, increasing the ability to assist in the development of players, coaches, referees and administrators, as more and more fans become engaged in the world’s sport. Reaching more devoted fans and stirring the passion of new ones while growing the game together are all important aspects of what this partnership will help provide.

Volkswagen will be one of the most active – and visible – partners U.S. Soccer has ever had, increasing the ability to reach the grassroots customer directly while fostering excitement of what’s to come for soccer in the USA.

“We are extremely excited to work together with Volkswagen to help us continue to grow soccer in the United States,” said U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General Dan Flynn. “Volkswagen will be one of the most active and visible partners U.S. Soccer has ever had, providing us with additional resources for more programs that can impact and help develop the sport, while also allowing us to reach more fans of the game across the country. We look forward to the next four years together as we drive towards our mission of becoming the preeminent sport in the United States.”

The Volkswagen logo appearing on the front of the training jerseys provides a unique asset that will be especially conspicuous over the next few years with the U.S. Women embarking on the 10-game “Countdown to the Cup” before participating in the World Cup this summer and then attempting to qualify for the Olympics in 2020. The U.S. Men will be racing towards another Concacaf Gold Cup crown in June before entering its first Concacaf Nations League competition in the fall, and then of course, there will be the quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

The historic eight-figure deal, the largest for U.S. Soccer aside from its partnership with Nike, will also feature Volkswagen becoming the title sponsor for the Tournament of Nations, the elite four-team summer tournament for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will return in 2021 and 2022.

The journey of soccer in the United States has been a long one, but with the new presenting partnership with Volkswagen, U.S. Soccer is now better equipped to shift into high gear on a road to soccer preeminence that just became smoother and certainly more fun to navigate.

CHICAGO (Feb. 19, 2018) – A panel of former U.S. WNT players has narrowed down the 2019 SheBelieves Hero contest to four finalists whose inspiring stories and determination made them stand out from the impressive field.

A SheBelieves Hero is a leader in their community, a confident and passionate individual who empowers others around her and actively works to make a difference.

We now need YOU to pick your favorite! Watch all four videos and vote for who you believe should be a SheBelieves Hero. The winner will be announced the week of Feb. 25.

@ussoccer_wnt @ussoccer , McKenna Woodhead's team would like to nominate her @mmmmwcwood for the #shebelieveshero #contest. McKenna is 15 years old from Clover SC She played for the @RapidsGirls @theECNL and @CloverSoccerG and her story inspires us all! @CarolinaRapids pic.twitter.com/qAECVAxi7V

— kat (@katteck1) February 10, 2019

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my name is Maddie Lauro and I am proud to operate such an amazing program called Champions League. Many people don’t usually get to see this side of me, but I am here to express my gratitude in running for the SheBelievesHero contest. This video is being submitted with the permission of my parents. #shebelieveshero #contest #ussoccer @uswnt

A post shared by MADDIE LAURO (@maddielauro) on Feb 8, 2019 at 11:24am PST

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Kick Childhood Cancer 🎗⚽️ #shebelieveshero #contest #uswnt #shebelievescup #shebelieves #⚽️ #🎗 @uswnt @ussoccer @alexmorgan13 @malpugh (parent approved)

A post shared by Snapchat: aly.corb (@corb.1) on Feb 11, 2019 at 7:37pm PST

Nominating my daughter @MollyEClark3 for the #SheBelievesHero #contest @ussoccer pic.twitter.com/PaGX7Kumka

— Jim Clark (@jimclark_inDE) February 12, 2019

CHICAGO (Feb. 16, 2019) – The U.S. Soccer Membership approved a range of appointments and proposals this weekend at the 2019 U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Scottsdale, Ariz.

During the National Council Meeting, former U.S. Women’s National Team star Cindy Parlow Cone was elected Vice President, while technology executive Patti Hart was confirmed as an Independent Director on the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. Additionally, three applicants, Asociacion Nacional Futbol en EU, U.S. Youth Futsal and United States Association of Blind Athletes were admitted as new U.S. Soccer Member Organizations, and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) was provisionally sanctioned as a Division III professional league.

CINDY CONE ELECTED NEW U.S. SOCCER VP
Recently inducted as a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2018, Parlow Cone was the sole candidate to complete the nomination process in order to run for the office of the Vice President. Parlow Cone’s term will last one year as she assumes the office that was vacated when former Vice President Carlos Cordeiro was elected as President last February at the 2018 U.S. Soccer AGM. Once the current term is finished next year, the Vice-Presidential election for a full, four-year term will be held at the 2020 National Council Meeting.

“I am grateful to be able to continue to serve our great game as U.S. Soccer Vice President,” said Parlow Cone. “I believe with my extensive knowledge of, and experience working in, the soccer landscape of our country, from grassroots to the international level, I will help U.S. Soccer continue to build, develop, and grow soccer in the United States at every level.”

Parlow Cone’s election as U.S. Soccer VP is the latest step in an impressive career that began as a star forward with the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1996-2004, and title-winning coach at the grassroots, collegiate and professional levels. During the past 20 years, she has served on U.S. Soccer’s Referee Committee, Medical Advisory Committee, Appeals Committee and the Athletes’ Council as well as more recently with U.S. Soccer’s Youth Task Force.

PATTI HART CONFIRMED AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
To replace Independent Director Val Ackerman, whose term expired this week, the National Council elected Patti Hart, an experienced CEO and board member with deep expertise in technology and entertainment to the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. She also specializes in sales and marketing and brings a keen understanding of consumer trends and corporate governance. Hart has spent 13 years at International Game Technology, Inc., including six as CEO and the last three as vice chairman, leading one of the most innovative and profitable gaming companies with offices on six continents.

“We’re very grateful to Val for her years of service to U.S. Soccer,” said U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro. “We wish her the best as she continues in her role as Commissioner of the NCAA’s Big East Conference.”

“We’re excited that we were able to bring on such an outstanding individual to serve as Independent Director,” Cordeiro said about Hart. “Patti comes to us with an incredible business background, tremendous experience, and a track record of success in her professional career. We delighted to formally welcome her to the U.S. Soccer family.”

THREE NEW U.S. SOCCER MEMBERS
The addition of Asociacion Nacional Futbol en EU, U.S. Youth Futsal and United States Association of Blind Athletes as new Members brings the total number of U.S. Soccer Member Organizations to 110 and will help further U.S. Soccer’s mission to make soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels.

PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE SANCTIONING
The National Women’s Soccer League was sanctioned for 2019 Division I professional competition during the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors meeting on Friday, Feb. 15.

In the same meeting, the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) was provisionally sanctioned, adding a second Division III professional league in the United States alongside the United Soccer League’s (USL) League One. USL also operates the USL Championship as a Division II professional league, while Major League Soccer operates as a Division I professional league.

COMMITMENT TO U.S. SOCCER EXTENDED NATIONAL TEAMS
U.S. Soccer has made a tangible commitment in the form of increased resources to its extended National Teams. Starting this year, for the first time ever—U.S. Soccer will have a new department focused exclusively on supporting the Beach National Team, Futsal National Team, and Para 7-a-Side National Team. It will include three new technical hires and a dedicated budget of $2 million. This commitment will enable our Paralympians to play for the team full time.

U.S. SOCCER HONOREES
U.S. Soccer honored two life-long servants of the sport during the AGM. Richard Groff, a former USASA President and U.S. Soccer Board member, joined the family of U.S. Soccer Life Members, which is an honor presented to individuals in recognition of long-time service and distinguished contributions to soccer in the United States. Groff was previously bestowed with the prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award in 2014, receiving the U.S. Soccer Federation’s highest individual honor for tirelessly furthering the interest of the sport of soccer without regard to personal recognition or advancement.