Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
Emma Hayes takes US national team back to the top
Head coach Emma Hayes of the United States gestures from the touchline during the quarterfinal women's soccer match between the United States and the Japan at the Parc des Princes at the 2024 Summer Olympics, August 3, 2024, in Paris, France

THE United States women’s team (USWNT) returned to the top of the Fifa women’s world rankings on Friday thanks to their gold medal triumph at the Paris Olympics last Saturday.

Their 1-0 victory against Brazil led to the surprisingly rare occurrence of British success in an Olympic football tournament, but even though the USWNT now have an English head coach, this is very much still a victory for US women’s football.

Emma Hayes stepped into the USWNT job in May after leaving Chelsea. She spoke in her numerous interviews following this whirlwind of a few months, culminating in Olympic gold, about her links to US football.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, left, celebrates with his teammate Gerard Martin after scoring a goal during a friendly soccer match between FC Barcelona and Daegu FC at the Daegu Stadium in Daegu, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025
Men’s Football / 15 August 2025
15 August 2025

As the concept of league games being played overseas has come about once again, JAMES NALTON writes how a club is not a club without its links to location, community and fans

US Senator Bernie Sanders speaking during a rally to Save London's Public Transport, at TUC Congress House, London, August 31, 2022
Men’s football / 8 August 2025
8 August 2025

Vermont Green FC’s viral Bernie Sanders tifo was more than a joke. It was a sharp critique of US soccer’s top-heavy capitalism and a celebration of grassroots power, writes JAMES NALTON

Celtic fans in the stands wave flags of Palestine during the UEFA Champions League Group E match at Celtic Park, Glasgow, October 25, 2023
Men’s football / 1 August 2025
1 August 2025

Palestinian football has been decimated, its players killed, its stadiums reduced to rubble. Yet the global game has looked away silent in the face of genocide, and will remain a stain on the sport, writes JAMES NALTON

Similar stories
North Carolina's Isabel Coxs and UCLA's Quincy McMahon battl
Women’s Football / 4 February 2025
4 February 2025
Changes aim to give student athletes greater control over the start of their careers
Chelsea new signing Naomi Girma is introduced to the fans ah
Women's football / 26 January 2025
26 January 2025
Chelsea's Lucy Bronze arrives before the Barclays Women's Su
Women's football / 29 November 2024
29 November 2024
Soccer fans watch a Mexican women's soccer league semi-final
Women’s football / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024