21 June 2023 , 16:48
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The USA Women's final squad for the 2023 World Cup finals has been revealed online by a stellar cast list including President Joe Biden.
Biden, singer Taylor Swift, actress Blake Lively, rapper Megan Thee Stallion and WWE superstar and actor John Cena all feature in the video, which runs through all 23 players selected by manager Vlatko Andonovski. Actress Tina Fey, former player Mia Hamm and Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal also feature, sending good luck messages to the World Cup holders.
Head coach Andonovski will take his side into his first major tournament after taking over from former boss Jill Scott - who won the competition in both 2019 and 2015 - with the US team looking for their third consecutive trophy. The Americans also were champions in 1991 and 1997 and will look to claim a fifth title Down Under.
The most notable absentee is captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who misses out through injury. The defender is set to continue rehabilitating a foot injury she sustained in April.
But 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson is included and is the first teenager to be involved in a US Women's World Cup squad since 1995. Major names Lindsey Horan, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle are all included as expected, while forward Sophie Smith is also on the plane and expected to make her World Cup debut. Alyssa Naeher is expected to go as first-choice goalkeeper once again.
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In the announcement video, posted by the official USWNT twitter account, President Biden states: "For nearly 40 years the US women's national team have optimized what it means to be a champions - to lifting trophies and fighting gender equality."
First Lady Jill Biden added: "Joe and I can't wait to watch this team sore at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. We're so excited to help unveil the 23 players who will represent the USA in Australia and New Zealand."
The Americans will feature in Group E at the tournament. The holders face Vietnam in their opening game, before fixtures with former European champions Netherlands and Portugal. The entire 23-player squad will meet for a training camp in Southern California on June 26, before playing a warm-up game in San Jose against Wales on July 9.
The USA squad in full;
Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury, Casey Murphy, Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Alana Cook, Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn, Noami Girma, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O'Hara, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mews, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan, Julie Ertz
Attackers: Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Lynn Williams
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