USWNT coach Hayes confirms rule change regarding Olympic alternates

U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has confirmed a late rule change that could give Olympic alternates a greater chance of playing at the upcoming tournament in France.

The rule change, which was announced by France women’s coach Hervé Renard earlier on Monday, will see roster alternates able to swap in and out of a team one game at a time.

At a press conference on Monday, Hayes detailed how the change will work.

“First of all, I view the fact that there’s 22 players going to the Olympics and that we are to prepare every player to be able to perform if required,” the coach said.

“The reality with alternates is that if there is a temporary injury to a player on the roster within the 18, as long as we give six hours notice, we’re able to make a temporary change and we can then change that for a following game.”

“So from my perspective nothing changes, maybe gives us a little bit more flexibility. But there’s 22 players.”

Men’s and women’s Olympic soccer teams are only allowed to have 18 players on an active roster, with every team given the ability to bring four alternates.

Previously, an alternate could only be added to the roster in exchange for an injured player, with that injured player then forced out for the remainder of the Olympics.

This will be the second straight Olympics that features a rules adjustment for alternates. Three years ago in Japan amid the coronavirus pandemic, FIFA allowed all 22 players to be available for selection — though only 18 were still permitted on a gameday roster.

With greater flexibility, alternates for the USMNT and USWNT will travel to France this year knowing they have a slightly better chance of seeing the field.

For the USMNT, whose roster was confirmed on Monday, the alternates are Josh Atencio, Jacob Davis, Johan Gomez and John Pulskamp.

The USWNT’s alternates are Jane Campbell, Hal Hershfelt, Croix Bethune and Lynn Williams.

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