United States
The United States will head into the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada eager to demonstrate the progress they have made as a football nation.
Read on as we offer a comprehensive guide to the US at the FIFA World Cup this summer.
United States at the 2026 World Cup
- Group: D
- Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
- Captain: Tyler Adams
- Best finish: Third place (1930)
- Next match: US vs Paraguay
The US have been drawn in Group D alongside Turkey (FIFA-ranked 22nd), Australia (27th) and Paraguay (40th).
While they are the favourites to finish top of the group, it would be no surprise if they failed to live up to their billing.
Each of their group-stage opponents can make life difficult for the US, and their progression to the knockout stage is far from guaranteed.
If the US win the group, they would face the third-placed team from Group B, E, F, I or J in the round of 32.
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United States Squad
| Player | Club | Position | Age | Caps | Goals |
Strongest XI / Predicted Line-up
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United States Manager
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino took charge of the US team in September 2024.
The Argentine replaced Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked following the group-stage elimination from the Copa America.
He has overseen 14 victories and one draw on 24 matches, but has yet to convince many people that he is the right man for the job.
However, the narrative will change if Pochettino guides the US to the latter stages of the tournament.
Tournament Stats
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Route to the Final
If the US win their group:
- Round of 32: Wednesday, July 1: US vs Third-placed Group B/E/F/I/J
- Round of 16: Monday, July 6: US vs Belgium
- Quarter-final: Friday, July 10: US vs Spain
- Semi-final: Tuesday, July 14: US vs France
- Final: Sunday, July 19: US vs Argentina
If the US are group runners-up:
- Round of 32: Friday, July 3: US vs New Zealand
- Round of 16: Tuesday, July 7: US vs Argentina
- Quarter-final: Saturday, July 11: US vs Portugal
- Semi-final: Wednesday, July 15: US vs Brazil
- Final: Sunday, July 19: US vs Spain
Key Players
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is the ‘face’ of the US team, but will head into the World Cup desperately needing to put a dreadful season behind him.
He has not scored for the US since 2024 and needs to step things up over the next couple of months.
Tyler Adams
The US will rely heavily on midfielder Tyler Adams, particularly as they are light on options in that area of the park.
The Bournemouth star was exceptional last season and could be set to join a bigger club this summer.
Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie is one of the most versatile players in the US squad, but is best deployed in central midfield.
He bagged five goals and five assists for Juventus in Serie A last season and will be crucial to his nation’s hopes of making progress this summer.
Malik Tillman
The Bayer Leverkusen start appears to be one of Pochettino’s favourites, and he could play a major role for the US at the World Cup.
He has bagged three goals and four assists in 28 international appearances and will be desperate to add to his tally.
Folarin Balogun
A tally of 19 goals and five assists in 43 appearances for Monaco should be enough to convince Pochettino to start Folarin Balogun this summer.
The US squad is not packed with prolific goalscorers, and Pochettino can ill-afford to leave Balogun on the bench.
United States Match Hub
World Cup live streams
World Cup all-time top scorers
World Cup host stadiums & cities
United States World Cup History
| Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 1930 | Third place | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
| 1934 | Round of 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 1938 | Withdrew | ||||||
| 1950 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| 1954 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1958 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1962 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1966 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1970 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1974 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1978 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1982 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1986 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 1990 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 1994 | Round of 16 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1998 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 2002 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
| 2006 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 2010 | Round of 16 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| 2014 | Round of 16 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2022 | Round of 16 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
FAQs
Has the US won the World Cup?
No. They finished third in the first edition, but have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals since then.
Who is the US manager?
Mauricio Pochettino. He has previously managed clubs in Spain, England and France.
How did the US fare in the last World Cup?
The US reached the round of 16 in 2022. The Netherlands eliminated them.
Who has made the most appearances for the US?
Cobi Jones. He won 164 caps from 1992 to 2004.
Who has scored the most goals for the US?
Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan each scored 57 goals for the US.
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