Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan to lead USWNT in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

USWNT are the defending champions

Prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan were appointed the U.S. women's national team captains.

When both Horan and Morgan arrive on the playing field at the same moment, Horan will lead the squad as its main leader and don the armband as well.

Becky Sauerbrunn, the USWNT's regular captain, will not be participating in the World Cup because of an injury. In the 38-year history of the USNWT, 18 players have received the honour of being recognised as captains.

Horan has skippered the United States nine times, five of which occurred in 2022. She most recently led the Americans to a She Believes Cup victory over Japan by a score of 1-0. Morgan has donned an armband 22 times, but she first received the opportunity to do so in 2016.

Addressing the decision to hand the pair the captain armband, head coach Vlatko Andonovski said: “We have a lot of leaders on this team among the young players and the veteran players, and among those, Lindsey and Alex have vast experience in big games, and they understand what it takes to win at the highest levels.

They are ultimate professionals and understand all the factors that go into having a united and motivated team. I know they will represent us well on and off the field at the World Cup.”

The captain's band is customarily worn by players in the match in which they are recognised for winning their 100th and 200th caps, based on US Soccer.

The USWNT are preparing to defend its World Cup championship and join the Brazilian men's national squad as the fifth country in history with five World Cup victories.

In Auckland, New Zealand, on July 22, they face Vietnam in their inaugural game. When the United States plays Wales in their last pre-tournament exhibition on Sunday, they will keep up their World Cup training.