USA's Road to the 2026 World Cup: Key Insights

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the United States men's national team (USMNT) is gearing up for a significant challenge. With the tournament set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the stakes are high, and the team is under pressure to perform well on home soil.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been rallying the players with the mantra, "Why not us?" This phrase encapsulates the team's ambition to not only compete but to win the tournament. However, as the World Cup draws near, questions arise about the feasibility of this goal. To gain perspective, FOX Sports gathered insights from three former USMNT coaches: Jürgen Klinsmann, Bob Bradley, and Steve Sampson.

Jürgen Klinsmann, who led the team during the 2014 World Cup, emphasized the importance of mental toughness. He stated, "To win a World Cup, it takes such a high capability of suffering and going through difficult times in specific moments." Klinsmann's experience is invaluable; he knows that the journey through the knockout stages is fraught with challenges, including the possibility of extra time and penalty shootouts.

The USMNT has not won a knockout stage match since 2002, and their history in the tournament has been marked by near misses. Klinsmann pointed out that many top soccer nations struggle to advance past the fifth game, a hurdle that has historically plagued the U.S. team.

Bob Bradley, who coached the U.S. in 2010, expressed optimism about the current squad, noting the growth of American players in top European leagues. He remarked, "The more guys you have playing in the Champions League, the better." This influx of talent provides the team with a competitive edge and a broader perspective on what it takes to succeed at the highest levels.

As the team prepares for warm-up matches against Senegal and Germany, the focus is on building momentum. Sampson highlighted the need for the team to come together and forget past disappointments. He stated, "When the moment comes that they’re playing against Paraguay, that’s when it all has to come together."

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, culminating in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium. With all matches airing live across FOX and FS1, fans are eager to see if the USMNT can turn their aspirations into reality this summer.