A pair of Tar Heels will be representing their country on the biggest stage this summer. UNC women’s soccer alumnae Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn were each named to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The tournament is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand and will begin in July.

Fox, who played for Carolina between 2017 and 2021, will be making her World Cup debut. Fox’s Tar Heel teams reached three consecutive College Cups in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and reached the national championship match twice. Fox earned multiple first team All-ACC selections with UNC and was drafted first overall by Racing Louisville FC in the 2021 NWSL Draft. She has represented the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2018.

Dunn will be making her second consecutive World Cup appearance, having played and started on the 2019 team which won its second straight world title. She played for Carolina between 2010 and 2013, with her most decorated campaign coming during her junior season in 2012. Dunn helped lead the Tar Heels to their 22nd national championship and won multiple accolades, including ACC Athlete of the Year, the Hermann Trophy (awarded to the National Player of the Year) and the Honda Sports Award. Since being picked first overall in the 2014 NWSL Draft, Dunn has played for four clubs, including the North Carolina Courage. She has represented the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2013 and has scored 24 goals.

Dunn shared her excitement on Instagram:

Fox and Dunn heard their names called in a special announcement video which featured celebrities such as President Biden and Jill Biden, Taylor Swift, former UNC star Mia Hamm (who announced Fox’s name) and rapper Lil Wayne (who announced Dunn’s name).

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will begin on July 20. Team USA’s first game will be played on July 21 at 9 p.m. ET against Vietnam.

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