Leah Williamson, the acclaimed captain of England’s national women’s football team and a standout defender for Arsenal WFC, has been named a studio commentator for TNT Sports’ coverage of the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa. This famous competition, now in its ninth year, will take place on April 6 and 9, showcasing top-tier national teams from the United States, Brazil, Japan, and Canada.
Williamson’s shift into this analytical role follows her miraculous return to professional play. After suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April 2023, which kept her out of the World Cup, she made a triumphant return with Arsenal in early 2024 and was later reinstated to the England squad by coach Sarina Wiegman. Her on-field experience and leadership are likely to bring vital insights during the tournament’s coverage.
The SheBelieves Cup, a key component of U.S. Soccer’s SheBelieves campaign, strives to encourage and empower women and girls to achieve their goals in sports and beyond. This year’s competition features a new structure, with two semifinal matches in Atlanta, followed by third-place and championship games in Columbus, Ohio. The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) will meet Japan on April 6 at 12:30 p.m. ET, with Canada facing Brazil later that day. The final matches on April 9 will determine both the tournament champion and the third-place finisher.
TNT Sports has built an impressive broadcast team for the event. Luke Wileman will provide play-by-play commentary, with National Soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy as a co-commentator. Melissa Ortiz will offer pitch-side reporting, while Sara Walsh will oversee studio coverage, joined by analysts Shannon Boxx, Foudy, and guest analyst Julie Ertz. Williamson’s inclusion to the team is expected to enhance the broadcast given her current playing experience and tactical knowledge.
In conjunction with the competition, TNT Sports will premiere “U.S. Soccer Stories,” a new magazine-style show that will air on April 5 at 7 p.m. The series, hosted by Ortiz, will focus on elite players and personalities in US Soccer, including members of the men’s and women’s national teams, as well as youth and extended national teams. This project is consistent with TNT Sports’ commitment to provide comprehensive and compelling football coverage to its viewers.