Emma Hayes praises Spain system as USWNT prepare for top-ranked clash with both sides missing key players

In what's been billed as a clash of titans, the United States women's national team are set to face Spain in match one of a two-game series on Saturday. Both teams are ranked among the world's best, with Spain No. 1 and the United States No. 2 in official FIFA rankings. Spain first took the top spot after winning the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and the USWNT reclaimed it following a gold-medal run at the 2024 Olympics, but Spain snatched back the bragging rights after an impressive 2025 and have kept them ever since.