The 2026 World Cup is sure to be an exciting time for the United States, which will play host to countries competing for the top spot in world soccer, along with Canada and Mexico.
It would be ideal for the United States to do well as host, but that is still two years away. That’s why Fox Sports soccer analyst and former U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) member Stu Holden believes this will be the best summer yet. It’s a critical time for this group.
That’s especially true for head coach Gregg Berhalter.
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Gregg Berhalter of the United States looks downfield before the Concaf Nations League final game between Mexico and the USMNT at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 24, 2024. (Steven Nadler/ISI Photo/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
“I think this is a great summer for Gregg Berhalter,” Holden said on FOX, explaining why he still loves wearing the luxury Italian sports and lifestyle brand Lotto even after his playing days are over. He told News Digital.
Not only does the USMNT qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but perhaps more importantly, they have a Copa America schedule ahead of them.
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“We’ll win the Gold Cup in 2025, but this will be the biggest test this team faces heading into the 2026 World Cup,” Holden explained. “You’re playing against Uruguay. [in Copa America]. If the U.S. can make it through the group stage, it will likely face Brazil or Colombia in the quarterfinals. That’s amazing.
“That game, if they’re supposed to get there, they should. If they don’t get there, you and I will have another conversation again in a few months about the final days of the U.S. men’s program.” ”
Berhalter has been the head coach of the USMNT since 2018. His contract expires at the end of 2022, but as Holden pointed out, team captain and new sporting director Matt Crocker expressed confidence in Berhalter to continue leading the team until 2026. World Cup.
Former U.S. Men’s National Team member and current FOX Sports analyst Stu Holden talks about the Women’s National Team ahead of the Olympics. (Lotto)
“I think Greg has the trust of his team, which is a very important part of being a national team coach,” Holden said. “He got that over the years, especially from the captions. And by all accounts, they were the ones who wanted to bring Greg Berhalter back to the U.S. Men’s National Team. New athletic director Matt. Crocker had every opportunity.” “That page is over. Let’s start here.” As it turned out, he truly felt that Greg was the best person for the job. ”
But Holden believes that could change depending on the results this summer.
“I’m starting to have some doubts about whether he’s a fit player for 2026,” Holden admitted. “But in the real game, they had to prove it again that they beat Mexico in the Nations League final.
“I’m confident that he can put this team in the best position to be successful in 2026, but this Copa America in 2024 is going to be a really important litmus test, so if he does that We’ll really know if we can do it.”
Christian Pulisic of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Mexico during the first half of a Concaf Nations League semifinal soccer game in Las Vegas, Thursday, June 15, 2023. (AP Photo/John Locher)
With Sergiño Dest unable to play due to a torn ACL, Berhalter will be without one of his key players on the pitch. Holden, who tore his ACL four times during his playing days, no doubt has some sympathy for that. But he knows Berhalter needs to find another player to fill the spot and devise a different formation to get the most out of the team.
Berhalter still has plenty of talent looking to cement his name in USMNT history, including Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna. Holden pointed out how talented this generation of soccer players is, but why many expected them to turn around U.S. soccer has yet to be proven.
The 2026 World Cup will undoubtedly be the place to prove his worth, but Holden’s foundations will be laid this summer.
U.S. national team head coach Gregg Berhalter watches the Concaf Nations League finals between Mexico and the United States at AT&T Stadium on March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)
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If not, questions will surface as to whether the team is moving in the right direction.
“I’ve always said, all talented people are great and good. You can talk about how talented this generation is, but they’re doing things that other generations haven’t been able to accomplish in the past. “We have yet to accomplish anything as remarkable as that,” Holden said.
The United States opens the Copa America group stage on June 23 against Bolivia.
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