The United States compete in Group Four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Record:
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Gold Cup winners seven times
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Best World Cup finish: Third place in 1930
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FIFA ranking: 16
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Last World Cup appearance: 2022 (eliminated in Round of 16)
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Nickname: Team USA
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Top clubs: LA Galaxy, Inter Miami, Columbus Crew
Qualification: As a host nation, the United States qualify automatically.
Coach: Argentine Mauricio Pochettino — former manager of Tottenham, Chelsea, and PSG — took charge in September 2024, two years before the home World Cup. After reaching the Gold Cup final (lost to Mexico) last summer, Team USA under Pochettino have beaten modest opposition but often disappointed against stronger sides. They enter the tournament after back-to-back losses to Belgium (5–2) and Portugal (2–0). After a fourth consecutive defeat — 4–0 to Switzerland in June 2025 — Pochettino said: "But look at our 2022 World Cup preparations; we beat Morocco 3–0 and they reached the semi-finals."
Star player: Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, Christian Pulisic will be the attacking leader of the US at this World Cup. The AC Milan striker returns low on confidence, however, having gone 19 games without a goal since 28 December. Fortunately, he will have Folarin Balogun alongside him — the Monaco striker arrives in better form, having scored 13 Ligue 1 goals, including nine in the second half of the season.
Ambitions: Pochettino said in late March: "I'm here because I believe we can win it. Why can't it be us?" Seeded as host nation, the US have been drawn into a manageable group with Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. Reaching the round of 16 seems expected, but further progress is uncertain for a team that has not made a quarter-final in the modern era since 2002, when they were beaten by Germany.