CHICAGO (Dec. 6, 2018) – U.S. Soccer has announced “Countdown to the Cup,” the schedule of matches and venues for the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2019 that will lead into next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. Countdown to the Cup will run from January to May with the USA playing a total of 10 games – two in Europe followed by eight domestic – before departing for France in pursuit of another World Cup title.

The U.S. Women’s National Team is set to face-off with Brazil on March 5, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium as part of a doubleheader (Japan vs. England). This will mark the second time Tampa Bay has hosted the SheBelieves Cup as the USA upended England, 1-0, in 2016.

“This schedule checks a lot of important boxes in our preparation for the World Cup,” said U.S. WNT head coach Jill Ellis. “We’ll get to experience a variety of teams in regard to their strengths and styles of play and almost all of countries will be in their World Cup preparation as well. We are playing tough games in Europe, which is vitally important, and also get to play quality opponents in front of our home fans at venues all across the USA. It will go fast, but these games will be a major factor in pushing us to be at our peak once we arrive in France next summer.”

The USA will hit the ground running to open the schedule, taking on Women’s World Cup host France on January 19 at Stade Océane in Le Havre, France, which is one of the nine 2019 Women’s World Cup venues. Three days later, the USA will face Spain for the first time in team history. That match will be played at Estadio José Rico Perez in Alicante, located on the east coast about 100 miles south of Valencia, in what will also be the first match for the U.S. Women in Spain.

Next up will be the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, which features the USA, England, Japan and Brazil playing doubleheaders at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. on Feb. 27, Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on March 2 and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on March 5.

The team will regroup in early April for two important matches: against Australia on April 4 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., and against Belgium on April 7 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

In May, the U.S. team will gather for the three matches of the Send-Off Series, Presented by Volpi Foods. The first match will take place on May 12 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. against South Africa, followed by a game on May 16 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. against a team to be determined. The players will then take their final break before the World Cup and regroup for the last match before departing for France, taking on Mexico on May 26 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

The schedule currently features seven teams that will participate in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Countdown to the Cup will take the WNT to all four continental U.S. time zones, giving fans across the country a chance to cheer the team on to France!

2019 U.S. Women’s National Team Schedule – COUNTDOWN TO THE CUP

Date Opponent Kickoff Venue; City Jan. 19 France 2:30 p.m. ET Stade Océane; La Havre, France Jan. 22 Spain TBA Estadio José Rico Perez; Alicante, Spain Feb. 27 Japan – SheBelieves Cup 7 p.m. ET Talen Energy Stadium; Chester, Pa. March 2 England – SheBelieves Cup 3:30 p.m. CT Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn. March 5 Brazil – SheBelieves Cup 8 p.m. ET Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. April 4 Australia 7:30 p.m. MT Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo. April 7 Belgium 6 p.m. PT Banc of California Stadium; Los Angeles, Calif. May 12 South Africa – Send-Off Series, Presented by Volpi Foods 1:30 p.m. PT Levi’s Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif. May 16 TBA – Send-Off Series, Presented by Volpi Foods 7 p.m. CT Busch Stadium; St. Louis, Mo. May 26 Mexico – Send-Off Series, Presented by Volpi Foods 12 p.m. ET Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.

WATCH THE WWC FINAL DRAW ON DEC. 8

The USA will learn its group opponents and schedule for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Dec. 8 when the Final Draw is held in Paris. The show starts at 12 p.m. ET on FS2, Telemundo, Universo and the FOX Sports App. FOX Sports will offer extensive draw coverage beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET. Five Things to Know on the Draw.

COUNTDOWN TO THE CUP TICKETS

Tickets for all domestic matches will go on sale to the public Thursday, Dec. 13 through ussoccer.com at 10 a.m. local time for that venue. Groups of 20 or more can order directly at ussoccer.com.

As of Monday, Dec. 10, U.S. Soccer members will have presale access to tickets. Click here to join U.S. Soccer Membership.

For all eight domestic matches, Ultimate Fan Tickets (special VIP packages that include a premium ticket, a custom-made official U.S. National Team jersey with name and number, VIP access to the field before and after the game, and other unique benefits) are also available exclusively through ussoccer.com.

Coaches Circle and Presidents Circle members supporting the U.S. Soccer Development Fund can receive individual customer support and concierge services for their ticketing needs. Contact circles@ussoccer.org for more information.