Former Red Army Faction militant jailed for armed robberies while on the run
Daniela Klette, last female RAF member, jailed for armed robberies
The Guardian World1 min read
Pochettino raises expectations as he reveals USMNT 2026 World Cup roster
TL;DR
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino raises expectations for the 2026 World Cup, suggesting the team could aim for more than just a round of 16 finish. He emphasized the importance of dreaming big, stating, 'Why not us?'
Key points
- USMNT has made 10 World Cup appearances
- Best performance was third place in 1930
- Top goal scorer is Landon Donovan with 5 goals
- Current FIFA ranking is 16
- Christian Pulisic is the player to watch
Mentioned in this story
Mauricio PochettinoLandon DonovanChristian Pulisic
USMNT
Previous World Cup appearances: 10
Best performance: Third (1930)
First appearance: 1930 (Uruguay)
Top goal scorer: Landon Donovan (5)
Most appearances: Landon Donovan (12)
Player to watch: Christian Pulisic
FIFA world ranking: 16
Realistically, the United States national team should be satisfied with a round of 16 appearance in this summer’s World Cup.
But some believe the team could go much further, including coach Mauricio Pochettino. Nothing wrong with shooting high, but the question is: How high?
And that is where Pochettino might have toned it down during a presentation of the team roster on Tuesday in New York. Instead, the broadcast signed off with former US defender Alexi Lalas and Pochettino saying, in unison, “Why not us?” – implying the US has a realistic chance of winning the 2026 World Cup.
“American people, it’s always about to dream, it’s about to do the impossible,” Pochettino said.
Host Landon Donovan had gotten the ball rolling earlier in the show, telling Bournemouth and national team star Tyler Adams it would be “amazing” to return to the New York area on July 19, the date of the final, across the Hudson River, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Sure, it would be great, and prognosticators and supporters can go around saying so.
But coaches and players do not need to go overboard. The time-tested method is usually to give the impression you’re exceeding expectations, rather than falling short.
As for the US’s prospects of winning the World Cup, remember, the team has only made it to the quarterfinals once since 1930.
Nor was the television show much of a reveal. First off, the US player pool is not so deep that there are major doubts about the roster. Also, the names had been leaked in advance.
So, lacking suspense, this served as a cheerleading exercise, an over-the-top “send-off” for the team, which isn’t travelling all that far.
The US will prepare at its new, $200m-plus training facility in Fayetteville, outside Atlanta. The state-of-the-art setup has been funded by Arthur Blank, owner of the NFL Atlanta Falcons and MLS Atlanta United, and it is the type of investment made for teams with high expectations.
Nice digs, but facilities and infrastructure are not lacking in the US. If World Cup success depended on having a cushy place to practice, the US would have been set long ago.
As for reaching the Round of 16, the US has a good chance. The Stars and Stripes will fancy their chances of winning Group D, ahead of Australia, Paraguay, and Turkiye. That would mean a Round of 32 matchup against a lower-seeded opponent. After that, the task gets more difficult.
Q&A
What is the USMNT's best performance in World Cup history?
The USMNT's best performance in World Cup history was reaching the third place in 1930.
Who is the top goal scorer for the USMNT in World Cup history?
Landon Donovan is the top goal scorer for the USMNT in World Cup history, with five goals.
What is the FIFA ranking of the USMNT as of now?
The USMNT is currently ranked 16th in the FIFA world rankings.
Who is the player to watch for the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup?
Christian Pulisic is highlighted as the player to watch for the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup.
