USA Women's World Cup squad named

Adam Krikorian names a 15-player squad for the World Cup Final in Sydney, with Team USA set to open its campaign against China in the quarterfinals.

The United States Women’s Senior National waterpolo Team has officially announced its roster for the 2026 World Aquatics World Cup Final, which will be held this week in Sydney, Australia. Head coach Adam Krikorian has selected 15 athletes for the tournament, although only 14 players will be eligible for each game, with the final lineup to be determined before every match.

Team USA will begin its campaign on July 21 with a quarterfinal matchup against China. The Americans enter the competition looking to reclaim the title after failing to qualify for last year’s World Cup Final, a surprising outcome for a team that had previously won the tournament four consecutive times.

The United States secured its place in Sydney by winning the Division 1 qualifying tournament earlier this year in Rotterdam, earning a return to the World Cup Final stage.

The squad features a blend of experienced international stars and emerging talent. Veteran players such as Rachel Fattal, Amanda Longan, Tara Prentice, Paige Hauschild, and Ryann Neushul headline the roster, while younger athletes including Emily Ausmus, Lucy Haaland-Ford, and Christine Carpenter continue to establish themselves at the senior international level.

The roster also highlights strong links between Team USA and Spanish waterpolo. Tara Prentice currently plays for CN Sabadell, while Jewel Roemer and Paige Hauschild compete for CN Mataró, reflecting the growing presence of American internationals in the Spanish league.

Krikorian will be supported by assistant coaches Natalie Benson, Molly Cahill, and Chris Oeding as the United States aims to return to the top of the podium.

The tournament runs from July 21 to July 25 and includes classification matches, semifinals, and medal games.