# USWNT Chase Second-Stage Momentum at 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Wavre

**By Petra Nowak**  \nPublished August 23, 2026  \nUpdated September 9, 2026

> Returning to the global showcase for the first time since 2018, the USWNT navigates the high-stakes second phase of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre.

When U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach David Passmore finalized his twenty-athlete roster for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, the selection marked a calculated bridge between enduring veteran presence and dynamic, high-tempo youth. Appearing at the global showcase for the first time since 2018, the No. 12-ranked U.S. squad arrived at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, carrying the tactical lessons of a gold-medal run at the 3 Nations Tournament in January and a bronze-medal finish at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in June.

The structural spine of Passmore’s side relies on Ashley Hoffman, the lone returning survivor from the 2018 World Cup roster and the squad's most capped player with 136 appearances. Shielding the circle alongside goalkeepers Kelsey Bing and Jenny Rizzo, Hoffman anchors a defensive unit that also features Leah Crouse, Claire Danahy, and Bethany Dykema. Further up the pitch, co-captains Emma DeBerdine and Meredith Sholder orchestrate the midfield alongside Lucy Adams, Katie Dixon, Mia Schoenbeck, Lauren Wadas, and Maddie Zimmer, supplying the necessary ball retention and distribution speed to feed an attacking forward line consisting of Sanne Caarls, Reese D'Ariano, Phia Gladieux, Ryleigh Heck, Ashley Sessa, Abby Tamer, and Beth Yeager.

## Navigating the Pool Stage Realities

The path to the second phase demanded an immediate elevation in tactical discipline. Drawn into Pool B alongside No. 2 Argentina, No. 6 Germany, and No. 14 Scotland, the U.S. opened their campaign against Pan American rival Argentina on Saturday, August 15, followed by clashes against Scotland on Monday, August 17, and Germany on Wednesday, August 19. Securing passage into the second-stage pools required finishing inside the top two of Pool B, placing immense pressure on set-piece conversion and defensive transition structures.

Passmore noted during pre-tournament preparations that enhancing set pieces was a primary focal point to ensure the squad peaked at the correct moment against elite opposition. Having previously earned their World Cup berth through the continental quota after a hard-fought second-place finish at the Pan American Cup in July 2025—where they fell to Argentina before benefiting from Argentina's prior qualification via the FIH Hockey Pro League—the Americans understood that margins in Europe would be razor-thin.

## The Second-Stage Mechanics

With the tournament structure dictating that the top two teams from each initial pool advance to form new second-stage pools ahead of the semifinals, every circle penetration and defensive block carries exponential weight. The transition into the second phase tests squad depth and tactical adaptability, forcing coaches to manage physical loads across consecutive high-intensity fixtures against the world's premier tier.

Behind the scenes, Passmore is supported by assistant coaches Maddie Hinch and Bert Remmerswaal, team manager Nazia Rashid, performance analyst and coach Alan Good, athletic trainer Hannah Jaussen, and high performance director Craig Parnham. Together, this technical staff has sought to harness the aggressive, fast-paced brand of attacking hockey that defined their recent podium finishes, ensuring that the broader training group stationed in Charlotte, North Carolina, successfully pushed the traveling selections to their physical and tactical limits.

## Sources

- [nytimes.com](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7394937/2026/06/27/world-cup-fantasy-2026-booster-guide/) — original
- [usafieldhockey.com](https://www.usafieldhockey.com/news/2026/july/11/uswnt-s-2026-fih-hockey-world-cup-team-named) — original
- [fih.hockey](https://www.fih.hockey/about-fih/official-documents/rules-of-hockey) — original