Assessing The USA’s Chances At The 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

The countdown is on for the 2026 World Cup, and excitement is really building in every corner of the globe. The United States is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, with football set to be played in 16 different cities across North America. This World Cup will feature an all-new format introduced by FIFA and more teams, which adds a new dynamic to the competition.

With the World Cup happening on home soil, the nation will come together and hope for soccer success. But how possible is a US triumph?

How is the Team Playing Right Now?

The USA team has played plenty of football this year already, with plenty of international friendlies ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Since January, the side has won six games, drawn once, and lost four.

In January, the US earned two friendly victories, beating Venezuela 3-1 in Miami and defeating Costa Rica 3-0 in Orlando. However, more recently, in June, against tougher opposition, the Stars and Stripes took the lead against Turkey in the first minute but then went on to lose 2-1. Then, at GEODIS Park, as the team played a final game in preparation for kicking off in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the US were hammered 4-0 by Switzerland and had conceded all four goals in the first 36 minutes.

However, despite the setback, the USA beat Trinidad & Tobago 5-0 in the opening Group D game before earning a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. The Stars and Stripes then confirmed top place in the standings with a 2-1 victory over Haiti.

The US then met Costa Rica in the quarter-finals in Minneapolis and, after a 2-2 draw, progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-3 penalty shootout triumph. Mexico awaits in the final, and the USA will be confident of winning a competition they have won seven times previously.

Predicting the Outcome of Games

Gearing up for the World Cup, many fans will predict the outcomes of games in the build-up and during the tournament to add another layer of excitement to the matches while also boosting personal interest.

Whether you’re a seasoned follower or a relative novice, data is increasingly prevalent in international football as well as the club game, and fans use this when making their predictions.

Various platforms are available for World Cup enthusiasts, with apps and websites offering various levels of data. Equally important is consulting expert reviews and analysis, many of which link to sportsbook offers online. For example, you can check the trusted bonus code provided by Covers.com, which can unlock valuable promotions and try to take a more measured approach to online gaming when it comes to football.

In the lead up to the World Cup, managers will hold press conferences and the details they share on possible squads and starting line-ups can provide clues as to how strong a team will be at the tournament. The form guide is also a tool that can give key hints as to whether a side is playing freely and scoring goals or struggling to find the net and losing most matches.

What are the Manager’s Credentials?

Mauricio Pochettino is a hugely experienced manager, having spent 15 years in Europe’s biggest leagues. The Argentina centre-back first took charge of former club Espanyol before moving to England to manage Southampton. From there, he went to Tottenham and guided Spurs to the Champions League final, having helped nurture talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

With his stock so high, Pochettino took the reins at Paris Saint-Germain, where he played in the early 2000s and helped the side to the Ligue 1 title. Then the boss spent a year with Chelsea managing the Blues and steering the ship during a time of upheaval at Stamford Bridge.

In September 2024, Pochettino took his first national team job, replacing Gregg Berhalter as the manager of the United States. So far, the Stars and Stripes have won 10 of the 14 matches the former Spurs boss has taken charge of. Known for helping develop young players, the nation should see some talented players given opportunities to progress with the international team set-up.

Who are the Star Names?

Christian Pulisic is perhaps the biggest name in the US squad. He’s still only 26, though it feels like he has been around forever. The forward, born in Pennsylvania, started his career with German side Borussia Dortmund before spending four years with Chelsea. Since 2023, Pulisic has played for Milan in Serie A. Already boasting 78 caps and 32 goals for the US, he will be a key player at next summer’s tournament.

Looking at the CONCACAF Gold Cup squad, there are many players with big league experience and many who are playing their trade in MLS back home. Chris Richards and Tyler Adams play for Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, respectively, in the Premier League, while Brendan Aaronson played in every game as Leeds finished first in the Championship to earn promotion. Antonee Robinson, meanwhile, is considered one of the most consistent left-backs in England for Fulham.

Weston McKennie of Juventus and Dortmund’s Gio Reyna have Champions League experience, and there is a sense that the USA players have developed to be a match for their European counterparts, owing to the experience of playing on the continent.

Home Advantage

No matter how Pochettino’s side performs between now and the nation’s first World Cup match in Group C on June 12, expectations will be huge with the country hosting the tournament along with Mexico and Canada.

The US players will hope that stadiums across the nation will be packed out with passionate locals willing the side on which could give the US an extra edge.

It will be interesting to see how the side deals with the fandom because while the support is advantageous, it can also increase pressure on the players to get a result, and there will also be a lot of support for their opposition.

Could the USA Win the World Cup?

It’s fair to say the USA, who are ranked 16th on the planet by FIFA currently, won’t be the favorites to lift the World Cup, with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain, and France expected to be among the sides who are backed most heavily. Saying that, the US has a top coach in Pochettino, and a good start would build confidence and belief, which would be elevated by having thousands of Americans in the stands for every game.