World Cup Factfile: USA

USA are hosting the World Cup for the second time, after the 1994 edition helped to galvanise the growth of the sport in the country. For years, the women’s team has been one of the top teams in the world. It’s about time that such a massive country finally have a truly successful men’s team.

Fixtures (UK time)

Paraguay, June 13, 2am
Australia, June 19, 8pm
Turkey, June 26, 3am

How They Qualified

As co-hosts, USA qualified automatically. They’ve entertained themselves with continental competitions in both North and South America. They exited the 2024 Copa America in the group stage and reached the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final before falling to Mexico. In the CONCACAF Nations League, USA won three successive editions before finishing fourth in 2025.

The Manager

Mauricio Pochettino took charge of the USMNT in 2024, five months after leaving Chelsea and has reportedly rejected approaches from clubs in Europe in order to take the team through their host World Cup. Losses to Panama and Canada in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League means the jury is still out on Pochettino, but he took a young USA squad all the way through to the final of the Gold Cup in the same year.

The Star

USA are blessed with a depth in their squad that they’ve never had before. Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Monaco’s Folarin Balogun have excelled this season but Christian Pulisic‘s experience will prove as important as ever at this World Cup. The Milan winger has made 86 appearance for USA over the last 10 years.

The Familiar Face

No fewer than six members of the squad are based in Britain. Chris Richards was a key part of the Conference League-winning Crystal Palace team last season, and will be hoping that he can carry that tournament-winning momentum into the World Cup.

Did you know?

USA calls a sport where they don’t use their feet “football”, and a sport where they do use their feet “soccer”. It’s just wrong, isn’t it?

The Prediction

Round of 16

Group D is not an easy group to predict, with all four teams (USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey) being very well matched. USA’s home advantage should mean they make safe passage through to the knockout rounds, but the Round of 16 may be their summit.

Cover Photo: vintage USA Flag and blue sky” by DWilliam’s is marked with CC0 1.0 .