USA FIELD HOCKEY RETURNS TO THE WORLD CUP STAGE WITH LOS ANGELES 2028 IN SIGHT
United Eagles Drawn in Pool B Alongside Argentina, Germany and Scotland
Asim Siddiqui (Washington DC)
The United States women’s field hockey team, popularly known as the United Eagles, will compete in Pool B at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, where they will face Argentina, Germany and Scotland.
The tournament features four competitive pools. Pool A consists of Australia, Chile, Japan and the Netherlands. Pool B brings together Argentina, Germany, Scotland and the United States. Pool C features Belgium, Spain, Ireland and New Zealand, while Pool D includes China, England, India and South Africa.
For the United States, however, this World Cup represents much more than another international tournament. With the American women already qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as the host nation, the World Cup provides a major opportunity to test the squad against elite opposition and continue building toward an Olympics on home soil.
A Strong Return to the World Cup
The United States earned its World Cup place after finishing second at the 2025 Pan American Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The Americans produced an impressive campaign, dominating the pool stage with three convincing victories. They defeated Mexico 10-0, Chile 5-2, and Trinidad and Tobago 5-0.
That outstanding run set up a semifinal against host nation Uruguay. After the teams could not be separated in regulation time, the match went to a shoot-out.
Goalkeeper Kelsey Bing, who was later named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, delivered when her team needed her most. She made two crucial saves, while Abby Tamer, Reese D’Ariano, Ryleigh Heck and Sophia Gladieux converted their opportunities to send the United States into the final and secure World Cup qualification.
The achievement was particularly significant because it marked the United States’ return to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition.
Argentina eventually defeated the United States in the Pan American Cup final, but the tournament still provided plenty of positives for the Americans.
Beth Yeager finished joint second in the scoring standings with four goals, while Tamer and Heck scored three each as the United States demonstrated considerable attacking strength throughout the competition.
Momentum Heading Into the World Cup
The United Eagles arrive at the World Cup with another important international achievement behind them: a bronze medal at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Ashley Sessa emerged as one of the team’s outstanding performers, finishing joint top of the tournament’s scoring charts with six goals.
She scored twice in the United States’ 3-2 victory over Chile in the bronze-medal match, underlining her importance to the American attack.
A Proud International History
The United States women have a proud history in international field hockey.
Their greatest Olympic achievement came on home soil at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, where they captured the bronze medal.
A decade later, the Americans earned another historic bronze medal at the 1994 Hockey World Cup.
The United States also won bronze medals at the Hockey Champions Trophy in 1995 and 2016, while capturing Hockey Champions Challenge gold in 2014.
Their Pan American record is equally impressive. The Americans have won Pan American Games gold twice, in 2011 and 2015, along with six silver medals and two bronze medals.
They have also finished runners-up at the Pan American Cup five times—in 2001, 2004, 2009, 2013 and 2025.
World Cup History
The United States has experienced several memorable World Cup campaigns.
After finishing sixth in 1983, ninth in 1986 and 12th in 1990, the Americans achieved their best-ever World Cup result in 1994, winning the bronze medal.
They finished eighth in 1998, ninth in 2002 and sixth in 2006.
Another impressive run came in 2014, when the United States narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish. Their most recent World Cup appearance came in 2018, when they finished 14th.
The 2026 tournament therefore marks an important return to the biggest stage in international hockey.
David Passmore Building Toward LA 2028
The United States is led by head coach David Passmore, who was appointed in August 2022.
Passmore successfully guided the team through qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has placed a strong emphasis on long-term player development ahead of Los Angeles 2028.
He also brings considerable international coaching experience, having previously served as assistant coach with England and Great Britain from 1999 to 2005 and as head coach of the Ireland men’s team from 2004 to 2009.
With the next Olympic Games taking place in the United States, Passmore now has a rare opportunity to build a team specifically toward competing for an Olympic medal on home soil.
Player to Watch: Ashley Hoffman
One of the most experienced players in the American squad is Ashley Hoffman.
The 29-year-old defender has earned 136 international caps and has represented the United States for almost a decade.
Hoffman competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup in London.
Her Olympic connection also runs in the family. She is the daughter of Brenda Hoffman, née Stauffer, who was part of the United States team that captured the historic Olympic bronze medal at Los Angeles 1984.
More than four decades later, Ashley Hoffman and the current generation of American players are preparing for another Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Experience Meets a New Generation
Captain Meredith Sholder leads a squad that combines experienced international players with an exciting new generation.
Alongside Hoffman’s 136 caps, goalkeeper Kelsey Bing has passed the century mark with 101 appearances. Madeleine Zimmer has 80 caps, while Elizabeth Yeager, Leah Crouse, Emma DeBerdine and Sanne Caarls provide further international experience.
At the same time, young players are beginning to make their mark.
One of the most exciting is 17-year-old Reese D’Ariano, who already has 17 international appearances and demonstrated her composure during the decisive Pan American Cup shoot-out.
The squad also features talented players including Ashley Sessa, Sophia Gladieux, Ryleigh Heck, Abby Tamer, Lauren Wadas, Lucy Adams, Bethany Dykema, Claire Danahy and Mia Schoenbeck.
Jennifer Rizzo joins Bing as the team’s other goalkeeper.
The coaching staff includes assistant coach Bert Remmerswaal, with Maddie Hinch and Krista Page serving as team managers.
A World Cup With a Bigger Purpose
The immediate challenge for the United States will be navigating a demanding Pool B featuring Argentina, Germany and Scotland.
The meeting with Argentina will carry particular interest following their Pan American Cup final, while Germany represents another major test against one of international hockey’s established powers.
But every match at this World Cup will also serve a bigger purpose.
With Olympic qualification for Los Angeles 2028 already secured, the United States can use this tournament to gain experience, strengthen combinations, develop younger players and measure its progress against some of the best teams in the world.
The United Eagles have already shown encouraging signs—World Cup qualification, a Pan American Cup silver medal and a Nations Cup bronze medal.
Now comes the bigger test.
The United States is back on the World Cup stage, and with Los Angeles 2028 approaching, the journey toward competing for an Olympic medal on home soil is already well underway.
