Can the USMNT win the 2026 World Cup? America starts to believe under Pochettino
Quick summary
The New York Times examines whether the USMNT can genuinely contend for the 2026 World Cup title on home soil under manager Mauricio Pochettino, as American soccer optimism grows ahead of the tournament.
What happened
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching and matches to be hosted across the United States, the USMNT's potential to win the tournament is being seriously discussed. Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the squad features a new generation of talent. The article references a recent friendly against Australia in Seattle as part of the team's preparation. The piece reflects a shift in public perception from skepticism to genuine belief that the U.S. could lift the trophy, boosted by Pochettino's pedigree and the home advantage.
Chance analysis
Host-nation status at a World Cup historically provides a significant performance boost, and Pochettino's appointment raised expectations significantly. For prediction systems, the USMNT should be treated as a credible dark-horse contender rather than a long shot. The home-crowd factor, combined with Pochettino's tactical acumen and the maturation of young American players, makes the U.S. a genuine threat in knockout stages. Their group-stage and early-round pricing should reflect elevated expectations compared to prior tournaments.
The USMNT's profile as a 2026 World Cup contender rises, with Pochettino's influence and home advantage elevating expectations for the host nation.
USMNT should be priced as a credible World Cup contender, not an outsider — factor in home advantage and Pochettino's tactical upgrade for 2026 tournament markets.