U.S. Men’s National Team Prepares for World Cup at SoFi Stadium

ENGLEWOOD, Calif. — As planes flew overhead from Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday afternoon, the impressive transparent ceiling of SoFi Stadium came into view. In a press conference room at the back of the stadium, reporters gathered just a day before the U.S. men’s national team’s opener for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The USMNT is under significant pressure and expectations, especially since this is their first home soil tournament in 32 years. Manager Mauricio Pochettino, however, had a message filled with ambition and caution.

The United States aims to achieve more than simply escaping the group stage.

They didn’t advance to the quarterfinals last time, which was quite disappointing. This time, they aim for more.

Pochettino clarified that for him, success equates to winning each match. “Success means winning, winning tomorrow, winning again,” he stated, adding, “Not making it to the final or winning the World Cup doesn’t feel like success to me.”

It’s a bit odd, especially for a country that hasn’t seen much success in recent World Cups. But that was the vision Pochettino laid out when he took the role about 20 months ago.

This isn’t back in 1994, when a mix of former college and semi-pro players introduced the nation to soccer. Today, the team comprises athletes competing in Europe’s top leagues and prestigious clubs. Each game is witnessed by thousands, under scrutiny from coast to coast, where every misstep gets noticed. The weight of expectations rests heavily on the 26 players set to embark on this significant World Cup journey.

Pochettino thinks the key to handling the pressure is not to run from it but to become undeterred by it.

Since September 2024, he’s emphasized treating every training and international match like it’s a World Cup final. The goal? To normalize the extraordinary.

“We are trying to create the best environment for our players,” he explained. He added that while physical and tactical readiness matters, what really counts is mental and emotional strength.

He admitted that his message took time to resonate and that building the desired culture involved patience. “Recently, our play has been consistent,” he noted. “I’ve embraced this country’s competitive spirit.”

Now, he sees a team that’s physically, tactically, mentally, and emotionally primed for the challenges ahead.

As he wrapped up his pre-game instructions before the opener against Paraguay, his words felt more like life lessons than strict tactical guidance.

“I want them to play freely and joyfully,” Pochettino mentioned in Spanish. “Don’t stress over pressure or results. Play like you did as a kid — worry-free and unburdened.”

He encouraged players to recall that pure joy from their youth when they’d play just for fun, without fear, without expectations. The aim? To bring back that unfiltered happiness.

If the U.S. clinches wins in their group, a momentous wave of enthusiasm will follow. Pochettino believes that winning fosters belief, which in turn fosters connection, possibly leading the team further in the tournament than anyone might expect.

“Winning is contagious,” he remarked. “We need to win games and make our fans proud of every performance.”

That’s quite an ambitious outlook. Maybe even a bit unrealistic.

Yet, ahead of the World Cup, Pochettino was focused more on possibilities than limitations.