Emma Hayes is poised to introduce a “first-of-its-kind” venture. And that can really change the landscape of U.S. women’s soccer and take national team World Cup preparations into uncharted territory. The 48-year-old has named a 26-strong squad for a pair of friendlies against Iceland on October 24 and 27 and a meeting with Argentina three days later.

The coach summoned eighteen players of the Olympic team that triumphed over Brazil in the final in Paris for the games, however, striker Trinity Rodman is absent as she recuperates from injury.

In a recent interview, Hayes expressed her enthusiasm for creating a clear developmental pathway for players at all levels. “I think first of all, I’m really excited about the Futures Camp. I’m very much a believer of making everything we do interdisciplinary and that from WNT down to YNT, there’s a very, very clear pathway for our players.”

Hayes’ vision goes beyond just assembling a squad for the upcoming games. To that end, the team is planning a groundbreaking event to unify efforts across all levels of coaching within U.S. Soccer.

“But like I said, we’re going to have a WNT and YNT conference there, the first of its kind, where all youth coaches, national team coaches, and the staff in and around the teams come together so we can deliver a unified strategy.”

This innovative approach will be tested in upcoming FIFA friendlies, where new faces will join the Olympic champions on the field, signaling the start of an exciting chapter for the team.

Emma Hayes shakes up USWNT roster; new faces join Olympic champs for FIFA friendlies

Emma Hayes had made it abundantly apparent from the start, “Our focus is on the future, our focus is on our process.” As a result, it was not surprising that Hayes, despite picking 18 players from the Olympic-winning side, also included six uncapped players.

This includes NWSL standouts such as Bay FC defender Alyssa Malonson and strikers Yazmeen Ryan and Emma Sears, who received their first senior national team call-up.

“I love working with younger players, seeing how they perform in our environment,” she explained. The camp will be a crucial chance for them to show their ability to perform some of the hard lifting in the future.

The team will engage in two friendly matches in Europe in November, facing European champions England at Wembley Stadium, London, on November 30, followed by a match against the Netherlands in The Hague on December 3.