USMNT Aims for Glory on Home Soil in 2026

As co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States men's national team faces immense pressure and opportunity. This pivotal moment aims to propel the sport's popularity to unprecedented heights within the nation. The team's journey is guided by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose expensive hiring followed a disappointing 2024 Copa America performance.

This year's squad is considered the strongest ever, anchored by Christian Pulisic and featuring strong talent like Chris Richards, Weston McKennie, and Antonee Robinson. The primary objective is to reach the quarterfinals, a feat only accomplished once in modern history in 2002. Success in 2026 is viewed as crucial for establishing the USMNT among the world's elite footballing nations.

The United States automatically qualified as co-hosts and has been placed in Group D. Pochettino has experimented extensively with tactics and player rotations, settling on a flexible 3-4-2-1 formation. The team's historical performance includes two group stage wins and multiple knockout stage appearances, but they aim to break new ground against non-CONCACAF opponents.