USA will compete in their 12th FIFA World Cup™ in 2026 as co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico.
The Stars and Stripes previously hosted the tournament in 1994 and are now aiming to go even further on home soil under Mauricio Pochettino.
After reaching the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022, the Americans are determined to make a bigger impact in front of their home fans.
Mauricio Pochettino became USA head coach in September 2024 following Gregg Berhalter’s departure.
The former Argentina international brings elite-level coaching experience after managing clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Southampton and Espanyol.
Pochettino is expected to bring a more aggressive and modern playing style as USA prepare for their biggest World Cup opportunity in decades.
USA qualified automatically as one of the three host nations for FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The tournament will feature an expanded 48-team format and will be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.
USA’s greatest World Cup run came during the inaugural FIFA World Cup in Uruguay in 1930.
After defeating Belgium and Paraguay 3-0 in the group stage, the Americans advanced to the semi-finals before eventually losing 6-1 to Argentina.
That remains USA’s best-ever finish at football’s biggest tournament.
USA returned to the knockout stage at Qatar 2022 after navigating a difficult group containing England, Wales and IR Iran.
Christian Pulisic scored the decisive goal against Iran to secure qualification to the Round of 16.
However, the Americans were eliminated by the Netherlands after a 3-1 defeat.
Landon Donovan remains USA’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with five goals.
He scored across three different tournaments and became one of the greatest players in American football history.
His memorable goals included strikes against Mexico, Slovenia, Algeria and Ghana.
Landon Donovan also holds the record for most World Cup appearances for USA with 12 matches.
He represented the national team at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 tournaments.
One of the biggest shocks in World Cup history came in 1950 when USA defeated England 1-0 in Brazil.
Joe Gaetjens scored the winning goal as the underdog Americans stunned one of football’s strongest teams.
Another unforgettable moment came at Brazil 2014 when goalkeeper Tim Howard produced a legendary performance against Belgium.
Howard made a World Cup-record 16 saves in the Round-of-16 clash, earning worldwide praise despite USA’s eventual defeat.
USA’s biggest World Cup victories came during the 1930 tournament with back-to-back 3-0 wins over Belgium and Paraguay.
During the Paraguay match, Bert Patenaude scored the first-ever hat-trick in FIFA World Cup history.
With home advantage, a talented young squad and an experienced coach in Mauricio Pochettino, expectations are rising for the Stars and Stripes.
USA fans will hope FIFA World Cup 2026™ becomes the tournament where the nation finally challenges football’s global elite.
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