Team USA named a 25-player roster for the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship, bringing back most of its Olympic gold-medal team. Led by Hilary Knight, set for her 16th Worlds appearance, and Olympic MVP Caroline Harvey, the U.S. will lean on experience and strong goaltending as it pursues another title.

By the Numbers
  • 25 players named to the roster.
  • 20 of 23 U.S. Olympic gold medalists return.
  • 11 Women’s Worlds gold medals for the United States.
  • Nov. 6: U.S. opens against Switzerland.
Yes, But

The roster is notably light on college players, with the tournament’s move to November likely making it harder for some NCAA athletes to leave campus. Three Olympians are also absent; Kendall Coyne Schofield is sitting out the season while expecting her second child.

State of Play
  • The U.S. is favored in Group A, alongside Austria, Czechia, Germany and Switzerland.
  • Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips return after helping secure gold at the 2025 Worlds and the 2026 Olympics.
  • The team is seeking its third consecutive gold in a major international tournament.
Bottom Line

With a deep core of Olympic champions and proven goaltending, the U.S. enters as a top contender—but a roster with fewer college players adds a new wrinkle to its title defense.