USMNT Aiming for Success in 2026 World Cup
Let’s set aside the lofty dreams of winning the World Cup for now.
For the upcoming 48-team World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host next summer, the target for the men’s national team is to make it past the round of 16. This insight comes from Fox analyst and former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas.
“If you had asked me in 1994 how soon until the World Cup in the U.S., I would have confidently said, ‘We’re going to win it,'” Lalas remarked during a recent talk on talkSPORT’s “Drive Time.”
He added, “That confidence feels different now; we’re in a situation where we might need a bit of luck. Magic can happen at the World Cup, though.”
Following a rocky start this season under coach Mauricio Pochettino, compounded by star player Christian Pulisic’s absence in summer training games, the USMNT seems to have found some momentum in recent international play.
In friendlies against top 25 World Cup contenders, the team managed a 1-1 draw with Ecuador and a 2-1 victory over Australia.
Lalas commented on Pochettino, saying, “He had to adapt and learn as he goes. Earning $6 million a year in a role like his is no small feat, especially considering this is uncharted territory. We’ve been to the World Cup multiple times and even advanced from groups, but now, we’re aiming for something higher. We’ve stumbled in the round of 16 before, but who knows—a little magic might just change that.”
The U.S. faced defeat in the round of 16 during the World Cups in 1994, 2010, 2014, and 2022—yet similar core players are expected on the roster for 2026.
However, let’s not forget that in 2002, they achieved a significant win against Mexico and reached the quarterfinals.
Once again, the U.S. will leverage the advantages of home ground. Lalas reminisced about the “magic that home soil brings.”
“If this team can harness that, it could bring the country together like nothing else could,” he observed.
The next step is the World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5th in Washington. As the host nation, the United States—along with Mexico and Canada—automatically qualifies and will discover its three opponents in Group D.
The top two teams from each of the 12 four-team groups will progress to the Round of 32, alongside the top eight third-place finishers.
“That draw will be crucial,” Lalas stated. “Understanding how to navigate the group effectively is key. Ultimately, I believe this team has the potential to create some magic come next summer.”
