“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.” This was Emma Hayes’ remark, clearly expressing her desire to lay the groundwork for the USWNT’s next big project—the 2027 World Cup—by providing opportunities not only to experienced players but also to the younger generation. While this is exciting news for the new ones potentially in the pipeline to make the roster, one question remains: how exactly will Hayes select her ‘core group of players’?

To be precise, are there any specific indicators or benchmarks for U23 players that, in her eyes, would convince her a particular player is truly ready to make the jump to the senior team? Fortunately, this is exactly what she was able to answer during today’s NWSL game between Angel City and Seattle Reign. Upon arriving at BMO Stadium to watch the game, the English boss spared a few minutes for a brief interview to discuss not only the upcoming doubleheader against Brazil but also her long-term goals.

Hayes started with how she thinks that identifying which U23 players are good enough to make the cut “will become easier, especially over the next three camps because I want to get to the end of June where I have a really strong sense of a core group of players that will form part of the build towards the World Cup,” Hayes began during an interview with the Attacking Third. “But also know that we need to get some consistency in relationships and connections on the pitch. And we have to forgo that for now while we’re still evaluating players on an individual level.”

Picture this; Hayes created one monster team for the Paris Olympics gig. Curation of a trio like Triple Espresso proved favorable for the American ladies. Rest, the mix of both young and veterans also did the job pretty well. However, it doesn’t mean that moving forward, she’ll retain a similar roster. Needless to say, only the best 23 players will get a chance to make the World Cup team.

That being said, she also added how even the U23 players who are not ready yet, could make the cut for the World Cup. “We give them opportunities to progress without the lenses on them and the expectations being through the roof,” she said. “From there, those performances coupled with their club performances will give us an indicator of which ones from that pool are ready to progress up to us.”

Clearly, a lot is planned for the American ladies. Coincidentally, this is something that one of her star players was able to give us a glimpse of!

More about Emma Hayes’ plans for youth USWNT stars

Recently, EssentiallySports caught up with Olivia Moultrie for an exclusive interview, where the youngster talked about the solid strategies that Emma Hayes has in mind for integrating the upcoming generation into her team. And fortunately, the Portland Thorns star had a lot to say.

“We’ve talked a bit about preparing us for that next World Cup, this next wave of players that’s coming in, how can she put us in as many situations possible that prepare the group coming for what that will look like? Because obviously, you can’t prepare for it till you’re in it,” said Moultrie while speaking with host Andrew Whitelaw in collaboration with Red Bull.

Furthermore, the 19-year-old shared that Hayes is committed to finding ways to help the next generation gain sufficient international experience, preparing them for the demands of a World Cup. This, above all, appears to be her top priority. So it’s safe to say that whatever Hayes has in mind is already in the pipeline. The question is how exactly will it prove beneficial to the USWNT.