Racing Louisville FC rookie forward Audrey McKeen will represent the United States at the upcoming 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, taking place Sept. 5-27 in Poland.
McKeen, 17, is the youngest member of the 21-player roster, selected by head coach Vicky Jepson. McKeen is one of eight professionals currently playing in the NWSL in the squad.
McKeen has played a key role in Racing’s recent run of form in the NWSL. She has made 16 total appearances to date as a rookie, starting in each of the last two matches in the Louisville midfield. McKeen made history recently when she scored her first professional goal on Aug. 7 against the Orlando Pride, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goal scorer. She is also the only player under age 18 to score this season in the NWSL.
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent the United States at the U-20 World Cup,” said McKeen. “I’m so excited to be part of this team, compete at the highest level and represent my country on the world stage.”
A Virginia native, McKeen signed with Racing in January as the club’s youngest-ever signing from Virginia Development Academy (VDA), a youth side out of the Elite Club National League (ECNL).
She has gained valuable experience across the United States youth national team setup, including participating in the final U-20 training camp in early July ahead of the World Cup and delivering a three-goal, one-assist display at the U-18 Pinatar Cup back in January.
Given the World Cup dates, McKeen could be unavailable for all four of Racing’s September matches: Sept. 5 vs. Angel City FC, Sept. 11 vs. Gotham FC, Sept. 20 at Bay FC and Sept. 25 vs. San Diego Wave FC.
Drawn into Group D, McKeen and the United States begin tournament play at the World Cup against Italy on Sept. 6, followed by a meeting with 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finalist Japan on Sept. 9. Both matches are set to be played in Lodz. The team will then round out group play in Sosnowiec against New Zealand on Sept. 12. Every match of the tournament will be broadcast in English on the FOX family of networks.
The tournament will feature 24 countries, with the winners and runners-up from each of the six four-team groups advancing to a four-round knockout stage, along with the four best third-placed nations. This is the second time the U-20 Women’s World Cup will include Round of 16 contests. The final is slated for Sunday, Sept. 27 at Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz in Lodz.
The American squad is eyeing to bring home the country’s first U-20 Women’s World Cup crown since 2012. The U.S. finished in third place two years ago in the 2024 edition of the tournament — its best finish since that 2012 win.
McKeen joins a talented roster that notably includes two other players with links to the city of Louisville: Katie Scott and Ella Bard. Scott, a current Kansas City Current player, is a former Racing loanee from last season. Bard is a sophomore defender who plays collegiately at the University of Louisville.
“This group wears the crest with honor, and we’re excited to see what they can accomplish together,” said Jepson in U.S. Soccer’s roster announcement. “They all have tremendous pride in earning this opportunity to represent their country on the world’s biggest stage for their age group. We really want to thank the NWSL clubs and the colleges for their collaboration in releasing their players for this tournament as it will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for many of them and we know it will be an invaluable growth experience for these young women on their soccer journeys.”
2026 FIFA U.S. Under-20 Women’s World Cup Roster (College or Club; U-20 Caps/Goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Caroline Birkel (Stanford; 6), Evan O’Steen (Seattle Reign FC; 2), Kealey Titmuss (Penn State; 5)
Defenders (7): Aven Alvarez (UNC; 12/0), Ella Bard (Louisville; 6/0), Lizzie Boamah (Stanford; 6/0), Pearl Cecil (Virginia; 2/0), Emma Johnson (Penn State; 9/1), Hope Munson (UNC; 6/0), Katie Scott (Kansas City Current; 11/1)
Midfielders (6): Kennedy Fuller (Bay FC; 8/2), Lily Joseph (Notre Dame; 2/0), Ainsley McCammon (Seattle Reign FC; 6/0), Y-Lan Nguyen (Stanford; 5/0), Nyanya Touray (Florida State; 4/0), Linda Ullmark (Houston Dash; 7/6)
Forwards (5): Emeri Adames (Seattle Reign FC; 4/1), Alex Buck (Washington; 6/1), Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars FC; 4/2), Audrey McKeen (Racing Louisville FC; 2/0), Sealey Strawn (UNC; 2/0)
2026 FIFA U.S. Under-20 Women’s World Cup Group D — USA Schedule
Sunday, Sept. 6: USA vs. Italy, Noon ET | Stadion Miejski LKS, Lodz, Poland | FOX Soccer Plus
Wednesday, Sept. 9: USA vs. Japan, Noon ET | Stadion Miejski LKS; Lodz, Poland | FS2
Saturday, Sept. 12: USA vs. New Zealand, 9 a.m. ET | Arena Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland | FS1
