Kennedy Center (Washington DC)
Over a year ago, in his initial press conference as coach for the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino expressed his ambitions for the U.S. men’s national soccer team, insisting there should be no limits to what they can achieve in the upcoming tournament featuring 48 teams.
“We need to believe that we can win the World Cup,” stated the former manager of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham Hotspur at that time. He reinforced this sentiment on Friday, shortly after the U.S. team discovered their opponents in the group stage during an exciting draw in the capital. The United States will face Paraguay and Australia in their opening matches, with a final game against one of the European teams in Group D: Turkiye, Kosovo, Romania, or Slovakia. Regardless of their opponents, it’s evident that the players are fully on board with their coach’s positive outlook.
“We all want to win the World Cup,” veteran defender Tim Ream shared with reporters following the draw. “No one enters a tournament just to participate.” Tyler Adams, who served as team captain during the last World Cup in Qatar, echoed this sentiment: “Our goal is to win.”
While the realism of that ambition can be debated—only eight nations have historically won the World Cup—there have been instances of miraculous triumphs in soccer. For example, Leicester City overcame staggering odds to secure a Premier League title within a decade, and Greece shocked the world by winning the European Championship in 2004.
Pochettino emphasizes that success begins with belief. During a recent appearance at the U.S. Soccer Summit in New York, he revealed his admiration for the 2004 film “Miracle,” which dramatizes the U.S. hockey team’s unexpected victory over the Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics.
“Making the impossible possible” has become both a motto and a clever marketing strategy for the team. When asked about their definition of success for the upcoming tournament, Pochettino promptly replied, “Let’s win the World Cup.”
Deep down, both Pochettino and his players likely understand that achieving their ultimate dream may be a long shot. However, dreaming big doesn’t require financial resources. “People can mock us and say whatever they want,” Ream commented. “But this is the World Cup, and it’s exciting. If you can’t be thrilled about the World Cup, you’ve got a problem.”
The draw was favorable for them. Being a seeded team—thanks to being co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico—means they avoided heavyweights like England, Germany, and Portugal in the group stage. The U.S. has previously beaten Australia and Paraguay in World Cup matches, though they narrowly lost to Turkiye, one of the top favorites for March’s European playoffs. Nonetheless, the co-hosts acknowledge that they must remain vigilant.
“We know them, and they know us,” Pochettino said after the celebratory event at the Kennedy Center. “The key is to keep improving; that’s my goal.”
When discussing prospects for the knockout rounds, he urged caution. “Argentina is probably the best team today and the reigning champions,” he remarked, looking beyond the group stage. “But what about America?” He shook his head. “Each of our first three games is like a World Cup final. That’s the mentality we want to cultivate.”
For Pochettino, this is deeply personal. As a child, he aspired to represent Argentina on the grand stage, but that opportunity eluded him when they were shockingly knocked out in the group stage during the 2002 Japan-South Korea World Cup.
“I experienced severe depression after that,” he admitted on Friday. “I want to ensure that people don’t look back and wish they had tried harder or given more in pursuit of success.”
In the upcoming months, the United States will analyze not just Paraguay and Australia but also four European teams that could be potential group contenders. Don’t miss the opening match against Paraguay set for June 12 in Los Angeles. It’s crucial to secure points right away, especially since the top three teams advance to the latter stages of the tournament.
“It doesn’t matter who’s on the field; it’s our opening World Cup game in Los Angeles,” Christian Pulisic stated on the importance of winning the first match. “Getting those three points early would put us in a solid position within the group.”
“We’re eagerly anticipating it,” he added.
“The chance to play in the World Cup on home soil is a dream come true,” Tyler Adams expressed. “This is what we’ve all fantasized about as children. It’s vital to embrace this opportunity and enjoy every moment.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Adams concluded. “When the time arrives, I’m ready to give it my all.”
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports, covering both the men’s and women’s national teams at their respective World Cups.
Fan Take
This news matters significantly to soccer fans, as it encapsulates a growing belief in American soccer on the world stage. With the U.S. co-hosting the World Cup, the potential for a memorable journey could ignite a new generation of soccer fans and elevate the sport’s profile in the country.
