Background

The United States men's national football team enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as host nation and one of the most scrutinised sides in the tournament. Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT settled a 4-3-3 formation during the pre-tournament window. The build-up had been turbulent: seven goals conceded across March friendlies against Belgium (2-5) and Portugal (0-2), followed by recovery. A 3-2 win over Senegal on 31 May in Charlotte, with Christian Pulisic ending a five-month international drought, settled the back four . The 4-3-3 was confirmed against Germany on 6 June in Chicago; the USA lost 3-1 but the shape — Pulisic and Gio Reyna in the attack, Folarin Balogun as the lone striker — was locked for the tournament .

The squad faces the World Cup with layered injury concerns. Centre-back Chris Richards missed the Germany friendly with ankle ligament damage and required an injury-replacement decision by the 11 June FIFA window deadline . The opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on 12 June is the team's first competitive match on home soil since the 2016 Copa América. Reaching the quarter-finals — the USMNT's best result since 2002 — is the federation's stated ambition. A labour dispute at SoFi Stadium was resolved on 11 June when UNITE HERE Local 11 ratified a deal with Legends Hospitality, averting a strike before the opener.

Hosting a World Cup for the first time since 1994 gives the US enormous symbolic and commercial stakes. The federation operates as US Soccer (USSF, founded 1913) and sits at the centre of what FIFA markets as the most commercially significant tournament ever staged on North American soil. The HBO Max documentary series 'U.S. Against the World' (8 parts) has kept public attention on the squad's preparations throughout the spring.

Common Questions

Who does the USA play at the 2026 World Cup?

The USMNT is in Group D alongside England, Turkey, and Paraguay. The opener against Paraguay is on 11 June 2026. Before that, they play Senegal on 31 May in Charlotte and Germany on 6 June in Chicago.Source: FIFA / US Soccer

How did the USA do in the March 2026 World Cup friendlies?

The USMNT conceded seven goals across two matches: 2-5 to Belgium and 0-2 to Portugal, both at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Pochettino framed the results as instructive preparation.Source: US Soccer / media reports

Is Christian Pulisic fit for the US at the 2026 World Cup?

Pulisic is fit but goalless: he has not scored for the USMNT in 8 consecutive appearances since November 2024, and his last AC Milan goal was 28 December 2025, a drought of over 100 days as of April 2026.Source: US Soccer / media

Who is the USMNT goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup?

Matt Freese of New York City FC is the current starter, having played 12 consecutive internationals going into the tournament.Source: US Soccer

How do fans get to MetLife Stadium for US World Cup games?

Penn Station in New York will close to regular passengers for four hours before each MetLife match, including the Final. Only World Cup ticket holders can access the station during closures. NJ Transit is the sole transport provider, with no general parking at the venue.Source: NJ Transit / MetLife World Cup operations

When is the USMNT 2026 World Cup squad announced?

26 May 2026. Pochettino names the final 26-man squad five days before the Senegal friendly on 31 May in Charlotte.Source: Lowdown briefing U#11

Who is the USMNT captain for the 2026 World Cup?

Christian Pulisic, confirmed following his brace against Cagliari on 11 May 2026. He leads the squad with 82 caps.Source: Lowdown briefing U#11

What is the USMNT's opening match at the 2026 World Cup?

Paraguay, on 12 June 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The USMNT are in Group D alongside England and Turkey.Source: entity background

Who did the USMNT lose to in the March 2026 friendlies?

Belgium 2-5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 28 March, then Portugal 0-2 the following week — seven goals conceded across both matches.Source: entity background

What is the 'U.S. Against the World' documentary about?

An eight-part HBO Max series following the USMNT's preparation for the 2026 World Cup on home soil; it premiered on 8 May 2026.Source: Lowdown briefing U#11

Who is the USMNT playing at the 2026 World Cup?

The USA are in Group D alongside England, Uruguay, and Turkey. Their opener is against Paraguay on 12 June at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Group D matches follow after.Source: Lowdown 2026 FIFA World Cup

What formation is Pochettino using for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup?

Pochettino settled on a 4-3-3 system, confirmed in the 3-1 loss to Germany on 6 June. Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna start in attack with Folarin Balogun as the lone striker.Source: Lowdown 2026 FIFA World Cup

Is Chris Richards fit for the USA at the 2026 World Cup?

Richards sustained ankle ligament damage at Crystal Palace on 17 May and missed the Germany friendly. The FIFA injury-replacement window closed on 11 June; US Soccer had to decide whether to keep or replace him before the Paraguay opener.Source: Lowdown 2026 FIFA World Cup

What happened when the USA played Germany before the 2026 World Cup?

Germany beat the USA 3-1 at Soldier Field, Chicago on 6 June 2026. Woltemade, Karl, and Undav scored for Germany; Balogun replied for the USA. Despite the loss, the 4-3-3 shape was confirmed for the tournament.Source: Lowdown 2026 FIFA World Cup

Was there a strike at SoFi Stadium during the 2026 World Cup?

UNITE HERE Local 11 voted 96% for strike authorisation at SoFi Stadium but ratified a deal with Legends Hospitality on 11 June, one day before the USA vs Paraguay opener, averting a walkout.Source: Lowdown 2026 FIFA World Cup

How the World Sees Them

FIFA

The USMNT's performance shapes the commercial narrative of the tournament in its largest market. A host-nation group-stage exit would blunt the commercial case underpinning the whole North America showcase.

US public

Host-nation pressure is high; Pulisic's brace has lifted confidence after seven goals conceded in March. The HBO documentary and 26 May squad announcement create dual focal points for public attention entering June.

CONCACAF rivals

Mexico and Canada, fellow co-hosts, monitor the USMNT closely; regional pride is woven into every match played on home soil. The labour dispute resolved hours before the opener illustrates the political complexity of hosting.

European opponents

Belgium and Portugal probed USMNT defensive shape in March and found real vulnerability. Germany confirmed it with a 3-1 win; the 4-3-3 is now public, giving Group D opponents England and Turkey detailed pre-tournament intelligence.