{"id":2049,"date":"2025-11-21T19:13:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T19:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/?p=2049"},"modified":"2025-11-21T19:13:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T19:13:28","slug":"u-s-mens-team-at-the-world-cup-history-schedule-players-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/?p=2049","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Men&#039;s Team at the World Cup: History, Schedule, Players to Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"subnav-title ff-ffc bold fs-23 lh-25 uc pd-b-10\">\n            POPULAR SEARCHES\n          <\/p>\n<p class=\"subnav-title ff-ffc bold fs-23 lh-25 uc pd-b-10\">\n            BROWSE BY\n          <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>We&#8217;re getting excited about the 2026 World Cup and seeing the U.S. men&#8217;s national team take on the best teams from across the globe. Next summer&#8217;s edition of soccer&#8217;s marquee event will include 48 teams (the biggest field ever) and will be co-hosted by three countries: the U.S., Canada and Mexico.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97><strong>JUMP TO: <\/strong>Schedule | Road to World Cup final | Fourth of July Game? | History, Best Finish<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>The World Cup will run from June 11\u2013July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The FOX family of networks and the FOX Sports app are your complete home for World Cup content, including live matches, complete highlights, commentary and analysis, and full-match replays.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>All eyes will be on Christian Pulisic, the 27-year-old winger who plays at Italian powerhouse AC Milan. Pulisic has also previously played at Chelsea (where he won a Champions League trophy) and German club Borussia Dortmund. He is currently the active leading scorer for the U.S. men\u2019s national team with 32 goals (and fifth all-time). He scored once at the 2022 World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Other players to watch are midfielders Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. Both are also veterans of the 2022 World Cup and are expected to help both defend and distribute the ball from their positions. McKennie plays at Italian club Juventus, while Adams is at English side AFC Bournemouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Chris Richards, who has emerged as a solid center-back for English club Crystal Palace, is turning into the Americans\u2019 best defender. As for goalkeeper, Matt Freese is favorite to be the starter after breaking out with both the USMNT and MLS club NYCFC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span>(Photo by John Dorton\/ISI Photos\/USSF\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Mauricio Pochettino was hired in Sept. 2024, replacing Gregg Berhalter as the man in charge. A native of Argentina who played at the World Cup for his country in 2002, Pochettino has coached for some notable clubs in Europe. His first managerial job was at Spanish club Espanyol (where he had been a player) before moving to England and taking over at Southampton. He then led Tottenham Hotspur to the 2019 Champions League final (losing to Liverpool) before taking on the job at Paris Saint-Germain for two years. At PSG (another club he had played for), he won the French Ligue 1 title. He also had a one-season stint at Chelsea. With the USMNT, Pochettino has a record of 13 wins, 7 losses, and two draws.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>The USMNT will know their three group-stage opponents on Dec. 5 when the World Cup draw happens in Washington, D.C., at the Kennedy Center. The team does know its group already (Group D). This was to ensure that, as co-hosts of the tournament, the U.S. would play all three of its matches in the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>The three group stage games will be as follows:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>June 12 vs. TBD \u2014 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>June 19 vs. TBD \u2014 at Lumen Field in Seattle<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>June 25 vs. TBD \u2014 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span>(Photo by Mike Stobe &#8211; FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)<\/span> <!--&gt;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>With their group-stage dates known (even without opponents), we can map out the USMNT's road to the final. There are in total five scenarios for the team to reach the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97><strong>If the USMNT wins Group D:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 32 match \u2013 July 1 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (San Francisco Bay Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 16 match \u2013 July 6 at Lumen Stadium in Seattle<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Quarterfinals match \u2013 July 10 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Semifinals match \u2013 July 15 at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Dallas Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Final \u2013 July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York City Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97><strong>If the USMNT finishes second in Group D:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 32 match \u2013 July 3 at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Dallas Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 16 match \u2014 July 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Quarterfinals match \u2013 July 11 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Semifinals match \u2013 July 15 at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Final \u2013 July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York City Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Only if the USMNT doesn't finish first or second in Group D and instead reaches the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-place teams. So it's a tricky road. But here are the scenarios for seeing the USMNT play on Independence Day in Philadelphia.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97><strong>Scenario 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 32 match \u2014 June 29 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Boston Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 16 match \u2014 July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Quarterfinals match \u2013 July 9 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Boston Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Semifinals match \u2013 July 15 at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Dallas Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Final \u2013 July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York City Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97><strong>Scenario 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 32 match \u2014 June 30 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York City Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 16 match \u2014 July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Quarterfinals match \u2013 July 9 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Boston Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Semifinals match \u2013 July 15 at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Dallas Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Final \u2013 July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York City Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97><strong>Scenario 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97><i>This scenario doesn't have them playing on July 4 but still advancing as a third-place team:\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 32 match \u2014 July 3 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Round of 16 match \u2014 July 7 at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Quarterfinals match \u2013 July 11 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Semifinals match \u2013 July 15 at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>Final \u2013 July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York City Area)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>The USMNT has appeared 11 FIFA World Cups, qualifying in 1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994 (hosts), 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The 2026 edition will be their 12th appearance and the second they host the event (this one alongside Canada and Mexico). \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>The USMNT\u2019s best-ever finish came in the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, where they reached the semifinals. Since no third-place match was held that year, FIFA officially lists the United States as finishing in third place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" data-v-160ccf97>In the modern era, the team\u2019s most notable run occurred in 2002 when they reached the quarterfinals. The U.S. defeated Portugal in the group stage and beat Mexico 2\u20130 in the Round of 16 before narrowly falling 1\u20130 to Germany in a match remembered for a missed handball call.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>POPULAR SEARCHES BROWSE BY We&#8217;re getting excited about the 2026 World Cup and seeing the U.S. men&#8217;s national team take on the best teams from across the globe. Next summer&#8217;s edition of soccer&#8217;s marquee event will include 48 teams (the biggest field ever) and will be co-hosted by three countries: the U.S., Canada and Mexico.\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2048,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2049"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}