Heavyweight October tests loom as USWNT face world champions Spain

At Washington’s Audi Field, a sea of fans will gather on Oct. 10 to watch the USWNT take on reigning world champion Spain, followed by a second encounter three days later at Subaru Park in suburban Philadelphia. Both fixtures are billed as heavyweight tests before the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The federations announced the matches on Monday, confirming the Oct. 10 and Oct. 13 dates and noting that tickets will go on sale Thursday. The scheduling gives the defending Olympic gold‑medalist U.S. side a rare chance to face the No. 1 ranked Spaniards.

Spain have already secured qualification for the 2027 World Cup, while the USWNT must defeat No. 78 El Salvador at the Concacaf Championship in November in Greater Dallas to clinch a spot. Those friendlies will serve as final preparation before the World Cup qualifying round at the end of the year.

“Two more fantastic matches,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said in a written statement. “We’ve desperately wanted to get Spain on our schedule, but the difficulties of scheduling the top teams during the women’s international calendar are well known, so to be able to get these two games on the East Coast will be the perfect tests before we head into World Cup qualifying at the end of the year.”

The USWNT will train at the new national training centre outside Atlanta before traveling to Washington. Robin Alam/ISI Photos via Getty Images will document the event, and the first 2,000 fans at the Washington match will receive a Crystal Dunn bobblehead.

Spain’s recent tour included a 2‑1 loss and a 1‑0 win against Brazil in June and a 2‑0 defeat in Pamplona in October 2022. Their lineup features Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, Arsenal forward Mariona Caldentey and London City Lionesses midfielder Alexia Putellas, both Ballon d’Or winners.

The US side will field the Triple Espresso attack of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson, who return after maternity leave, and will look to build on victories over Japan in June and previous encounters with Germany, Norway and England.