The great American dream is officially under way. The Spanish national team will begin its journey towards the 2027 World Cup in Brazil in the United States, with a season that will get started on North American soil before culminating in Brazil next summer.

Sonia Bermúdez announced on Tuesday the list of 25 players called up for the two international friendlies against the United States, the reigning Olympic champions and four-time world champions, during the first FIFA international window of the new season. The squad announcement was accompanied by a distinctly American-themed video starring the Spain head coach, a nod to the host country of the national team’s next two fixtures and the setting where this new journey towards defending the World Cup crown will begin.

Next Monday, 5 October, will be a day of reunions and renewed excitement. Four months after their last match, Spain will return to action. The national team have not competed since 9 June, when they defeated Iceland in Reykjavík to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where they will arrive as the reigning champions and defending holders of the title won in Australia and New Zealand four years ago. Now, the journey continues on the other side of the Atlantic.

The first match of this international window will take place on 10 October at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., a 20,000-capacity stadium that opened in 2018. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:30 local time, 20:30 in mainland Spain. Three days later, Sonia Bermúdez’s side will travel to Pennsylvania for the second fixture at Subaru Park in Chester. The match will kick off at 19:00 local time on 13 October, corresponding to 01:00 on 14 October in mainland Spain. The stadium opened in 2010 and has a capacity of around 18,500.

It will also be a high-level double-header against one of the great powers of women’s football. Spain and the United States have met four times, with three American victories and one Spanish win. The most recent meeting came on 11 October 2022, when Spain defeated the United States 2-0 in Pamplona thanks to goals from Laia Codina and Esther González.

The two friendlies will represent much more than Spain’s return to competitive action. They will be the first step in a season that will culminate with the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, which will take place from 24 June to 25 July next year.

The great American dream begins now.