'Light years ahead' – Carli Lloyd says USWNT behind European powers such as Spain and England, despite 2024 Olympic gold

The USWNT legend expressed skepticism about the national team's standing, suggesting European nations have surpassed them

Carli Lloyd Assesses USWNT Position Behind Spain and England Despite Olympic Triumph

In the evolving landscape of women’s international soccer, where European teams are setting new benchmarks, Carli Lloyd offers a candid take on the USWNT‘s standing, even after their 2024 Olympic gold medal victory.

  • Lloyd ranks USWNT behind ,
  • Says American squad has "a bit more to prove"
  • Says Spain is "light years ahead" in development

'Light years ahead' - Carli Lloyd says USWNT behind European powers such as Spain and England, despite 2024 Olympic gold'Light years ahead' - Carli Lloyd says USWNT behind European powers such as Spain and England, despite 2024 Olympic gold'Light years ahead' - Carli Lloyd says USWNT behind European powers such as Spain and England, despite 2024 Olympic gold

Insights from Euro 2025 Spark USWNT Reflections

Following England’s hard-fought victory over Spain in the Euro 2025 final, retired USWNT icon Carli Lloyd shared her perspective that Emma Hayes’ team, fresh from securing Olympic glory in 2024, continues to trail behind leading European sides in the global hierarchy.

“This sparks a fascinating discussion,” Lloyd remarked during her appearance on the State of the Union podcast. “Having observed the entire competition, even underdogs like و demonstrated remarkable courage. Take Italy, for instance-they might have benefited from a less challenging bracket to reach the semifinals, yet their adaptability and strong performances were evident throughout.”

“It really made me ponder the state of our US women’s team today. Sure, they’ve just clinched the Olympics, but in my view, they’re lingering around third or fourth place, with Spain and England ahead, and perhaps Sweden not far behind.”

Challenges Ahead for Hayes’ Squad in Matching European Dominance

Lloyd highlighted that although Hayes is actively enhancing the team’s capabilities, substantial progress is needed to catch up with Europe’s elite.

“Consider ‘s resilient display, even when reduced to 10 players-it was truly inspiring,” she noted. “Still, I believe there’s more work to be done. The team needs to demonstrate greater depth. Emma is wisely investing time in rotating players, building experience for the 2027 campaign. Meanwhile, Europe is thriving. Spain stands out as the unrivaled leader, far advanced in their tactical approach and overall style.”

Latest FIFA Rankings and USWNT’s Global Standing

According to FIFA’s most recent Women’s World Rankings from last month, the States holds onto the number one spot. However, the margin has tightened, with Spain climbing to second and Germany to third, reflecting the intensifying competition. As of mid-2025, updated stats show Spain’s unbeaten streak in major tournaments extending to 15 matches, underscoring their dominance.

Notably, , which traded wins with the USWNT in friendly encounters earlier this year, surged four spots to fourth, highlighting the rising prowess of South American teams in the global scene.

Building Momentum Toward the 2027 Women’s World Cup

The USWNT is channeling efforts into growth as they prepare for the 2027 FIFA Women’s . Upcoming fixtures include a double-header against Portugal in October, followed by a match against an opponent yet to be confirmed at CPKC Stadium. These games will serve as crucial tests, much like how recent clashes with teams like have revealed areas for tactical refinement in high-stakes scenarios.