U.S. Men’s National Team Prepares for Critical World Cup Test
Coach Mauricio Pochettino has emphasized the importance of optimal fitness for the U.S. men’s national team as they gear up for the World Cup next summer. With just months to go, an upcoming friendly match is set to reveal how well the team is stacking up against one of the world’s elite squads.
It’s expected that the U.S. Soccer Federation will announce a friendly match in Atlanta, where the USMNT will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in March. This would be a significant event, as it marks Ronaldo’s first appearance in the U.S. since he played in an exhibition game between Real Madrid and Manchester United back in August 2014.
Interestingly, Ronaldo has not represented Portugal in the U.S. since that year, when they played against Ireland at MetLife Stadium. Known as one of the most recognizable figures in soccer—right alongside Lionel Messi—Ronaldo and his team are currently ranked fifth in the world. So, this friendly will certainly serve as an important gauge for the USMNT just three months prior to the World Cup.
According to reports, the national team is also set to play against Belgium, currently ranked eighth globally, later in March. It looks like March is going to be quite significant for the U.S. squad, although they won’t gather again until a friendly against Uruguay in Tampa Bay.
By that time, Pochettino will have made decisions about the roster for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The team seems to be finding its footing this year, going unbeaten in their last four matches, including a solid performance in a friendly against Paraguay this past Saturday in Chester, Pennsylvania.
The match against Portugal will offer a setting that closely resembles the atmosphere they can expect at the World Cup. The U.S. has held several exhibition games at various MLS arenas in recent years, though it’s worth noting that Saturday’s game didn’t fill the 18,500-seat Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union.
Looking ahead, the friendly at Raymond James Stadium—home of the NFL’s Buccaneers—will provide another opportunity for the USMNT to build on their momentum against a formidable opponent in Uruguay.
Pochettino expressed confidence in his team, saying, “We’re not changing captains in the middle of this storm. It gives us confidence and motivation. But if something is wrong, it has to change. However, change requires time to establish a cohesive way of operating.”
