The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica were expected to be confirmed as the hosts of the 2031 Women’s World Cup at the end of April 2026. However, FIFA has suddenly postponed plans for any imminent announcement. So, what’s the holdup?

On this episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Henry Bushnell and Melanie Anzidei to dive into the long runway to the 2031 Women’s World Cup and what is going on behind the scenes at FIFA and U.S. Soccer. When will the host of the tournament be confirmed? What role do government guarantees play? What lessons will need to be learned from the 2026 Men’s World Cup? What does the departure of U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker mean for the U.S. women’s national team?

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Henry Bushnell, Melanie Anzidei

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Matt Crocker’s abrupt U.S. Soccer departure brings many questions. Here are the answers

‘Hard to not feel scammed’: World Cup fans say FIFA misled them with ticket allocations, seat maps

U.S. 2031 Women’s World Cup bid waiting on Trump guarantees while host cities want better deal

How a $150 train ticket caused a fight between FIFA and New Jersey’s governor

White House wants FIFA to change transgender policy, with Women’s World Cup guarantees on the line

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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After a 1-0 defeat to Japan, U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes confessed that she is prioritizing development over results right now. So, is that the right move for the team 14 months out from the next World Cup?

On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin to unpack the lessons learned from a soggy night in Seattle, Wash., at Lumen Field, where Hayes made 11 changes to her starting XI. What did we learn about the USWNT’s depth and second-string lineup? How much pressure is on the third and final friendly against Japan?

PLUS: Producer Theo checks in from a momentous night at Wembley Stadium and England’s World Cup qualifier against Spain, as well as the latest on which teams have already qualified for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Emma Hayes’ tricky balancing act as USWNT strive for that ‘secret sauce’

England’s win over Spain proves small details, like set pieces, make all the difference

Spain need to be more Spanish to beat England

USWNT 2, Japan 1: Rose Lavelle scores in 100th start, Sophia Wilson returns

USWNT’s next test: Japan, champions of Asia, with a roster of international stars in the making

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

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The U.S. women’s national team defeated Japan 2-1 over the weekend, getting revenge for a 2025 loss by the same scoreline to the same opponent. But, is this result proof that Emma Hayes’s team has progressed?

On this episode of Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin, who was out in San Jose, Calif., to take in the USWNT’s first of three friendlies against Japan. Who were the USWNT’s top performers? How did Japan test the USA? What did the pod make of Sophia Wilson’s first USWNT start since 2024? Did we get closer to understanding the status of Hayes’s A and B teams? And, what changes to the starting XI will she make for Tuesday’s trip to Lumen Field in Seattle?

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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

USWNT 2, Japan 1: Rose Lavelle scores in 100th start, Sophia Wilson returns

USWNT’s next test: Japan, champions of Asia, with a roster of international stars in the making

Claire Hutton interview: Ronaldinho influence, USWNT leadership and Japan test

Emma Hayes’ rebuild of the USWNT is taking shape – and already reaping rewards

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

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So what makes the youngest-ever captain in U.S. women’s national team history so wise beyond her years?

On this episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits sits down with USWNT and Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton for a one-on-one interview. The duo chat about what was behind Hutton’s decision to turn pro at 17, her soccer role models, what it is like to be inside Emma Hayes’s leadership group on the USWNT, and how she’s grown after moving from the Kansas City Current to Bay FC in the NWSL.

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Claire Hutton

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Claire Hutton trade was just Bay FC’s latest move as it begins new chapter with plenty to prove

Bay FC signs USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton in $1.1 million deal with Kansas City Current

Emma Hayes’ rebuild of the USWNT is taking shape – and already reaping rewards

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes looks to ‘bridge a gap’ for ‘lost generation’ with Futures Camp

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

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This April, United States Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes has booked three friendlies against Japan with the intention of giving her team the perfect preparation for next summer’s Women’s World Cup. So, what makes Japan the ideal opponent for the USWNT to go head-to-head with? How will the three lineups look different? And, what is it about Japan’s style of play that will help iron sharpen iron?

On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin look into the past, present, and future of the rivalry between the United States and Japan. From the three consecutive finals between 2011 and 2015, to the nail-biting recent encounters, including their most recent bout at the SheBelieves Cup, where Japan upset their hosts 2-1. Hayes believes that Japan are a strong contender to win the 2027 World Cup, but does the podcast panel agree?

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Sophia Wilson back with USWNT: ‘I’m in a really great place right now’

Nils Nielsen leaves Japan 12 days after Asian Cup win, Michihisa Kano to take charge of U.S. friendlies

World Cup prep continues vs. Japan

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

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Temwa Chawinga is back. After 168 days out with an injury, the two-time NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner made her return to the pitch with the Kansas City Current in their 2-1 comeback win over Gotham FC this past weekend.

So, what does it mean for the Current and the NWSL to have Chawinga back?

On this episode of the Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Melanie Anzidei to discuss Chawinga’s return, as well as Kansas City’s revenge match against Gotham, and how much struggling Current head coach Chris Armas needs his star after suffering an early-season three-match losing streak.

PLUS: What is behind Gotham’s continued struggles in front of goal? What does it mean for Angel City to drop its first game of the season, leaving no undefeated teams remaining in the NWSL? Is it time to believe in the San Diego Wave?

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Melanie Anzidei

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

Join the Full Time fantasy league: here

League Code: UOBDVD

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The UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals are in the books. But did the four semifinalists, Arsenal, OL Lyonnes, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich, deserve to advance?

On this episode of Full Time Focus, Producer Theo Lloyd-Hughes and Tamerra Griffin break down all four of this week’s quarterfinal second legs, with the help of The Athletic’s Cerys Jones, from Stamford Bridge in London, and Laia Cervello, from the Nou Camp in Barcelona. Just how wasteful were Chelsea with their chances? Did Sonia Bompastor’s fury at the referees overshadow the match? How special was Barcelona’s return to the Nou Camp, where Alexia Putellas celebrated her 500th match in style? Did Lyon disappoint despite advancing? What is Bayern Munich’s secret weapon?

PLUS: What does the pod make of Nils Nielsen suddenly stepping down as the head coach of Japan’s women’s national team just 12 days after winning the Asian Cup?

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HOSTS: Theo Lloyd-Hughes, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Laia Cervello, Cerys Jones

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal: Sonia Bompastor sent off after Katie McCabe’s hair pull in fiery finale

Why Arsenal may need to show a bit more caution in the Champions League semi-finals

Chelsea’s Champions League exit underlines the need for summer transition

The night Barcelona crowned Alexia Putellas their queen at the new Camp Nou

Champions League: Barcelona dominates, makes semifinals with Bayern, Arsenal and OL Lyonnes

Nils Nielsen leaves Japan 12 days after Asian Cup win, Michihisa Kano to take charge of U.S. friendlies

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

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Undefeated with a perfect three wins from three in the NWSL, the time has come to wonder: What is Angel City’s ceiling?

On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin analyze a captivating press conference from ACFC head coach Alex Straus and what the Los Angeles team’s impressive start means for their contender status in the NWSL. Tamerra also takes the listener inside her trip to San Diego, where she sat down one-on-one with U.S. women’s national team star Cat Macario to talk about her historic transfer to Wave FC.

PLUS: Who is Erica Meg Parkinson? The pod unpacks the surprise 17-year-old debut call-up by Sarina Wiegman for England’s upcoming Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

USWNT’s Catarina Macario on returning home to San Diego, leaving Chelsea and ‘having fun’ again

One team remains undefeated in NWSL. Is it parity or time to panic?

Arsenal’s Beth Mead back in England squad as Erica Meg Parkinson gets first call-up

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

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