FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Profile: USA

A look at key aspects from the Stars and Stripes ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026

MIAMI – The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on June 11, with the United States co-hosting the tournament, serving as host for the second time in its history.

Ahead of the tournament, we take a closer look at the USA’s World Cup history, key players and storylines.

World Cup History and Records

FIFA World Cup Appearances: 12 (1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2026)

WC Record: P37 W9 D8 L20 GF40 GA66

Best WC Performance: Third Place (1930)

Most WC Apps: Landon Donovan (12)

Most WC Goals: Landon Donovan (5)

Most WC Assists (since 1966): Christian Pulisic, Tab Ramos, Graham Zusi (2)

Other notable records:

• Forward Bert Patenaude scored the first hat-trick in World Cup history in the United States' 3-0 victory over Paraguay at the 1930 edition.
• Goalkeeper Tim Howard recorded the most saves in a single FIFA World Cup match, making 16 saves in the Round of 16 meeting against Belgium in 2014.

How They Qualified

USA, alongside Canada and Mexico, qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s three hosts. The U.S. previously hosted the 1994 edition.

Group and Schedule

USA is in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye.

The schedule of its three Group Stage matches is as follows:

• Paraguay (Los Angeles Stadium) – June 12 at 9 p.m. ET
• Australia (Seattle Stadium) – June 19 at 3 p.m. ET
• Türkiye (Los Angeles Stadium) – June 25 at 10 p.m. ET

Recent Results and Friendlies

In its last 10 matches, including the Concacaf Gold Cup and a series of friendlies, the United States has recorded five wins, one draw and four defeats. The Stars and Stripes recently secured a 3-2 victory over Senegal in a World Cup preparation match, with Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun finding the back of the net.

Head Coach Profile

Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the U.S. manager in September 2024. The Argentine guided the United States to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final, finishing as runners-up, after arriving with extensive experience at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Pochettino has previously managed RCD Espanyol in LALIGA, Southampton FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC and Chelsea FC in the Premier League, and Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. In 2019, he led Tottenham to the UEFA Champions League final.

Key Players

• Tyler Adams – Captain at Qatar 2022 and a midfield leader with more than 50 international appearances, including two Concacaf Nations League Finals Best XI selections.
• Chris Richards – Defensive leader who helped Crystal Palace win the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League and has been a key contributor to two Concacaf Nations League titles and the United States' run to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final.
• Weston McKennie – Experienced and versatile midfielder with more than 60 international appearances and three Concacaf Nations League titles.

Game Changer

Christian Pulisic enters the tournament as the focal point of the United States attack. On the heels of finishing the 2025/26 Serie A campaign at AC Milan with eight goals and four assists, Pulisic will seek to have another impactful tournament this summer. The Hershey, Pennsylvania native was directly involved in all three of the United States’ goals at the 2022 World Cup, scoring once and delivering two assists.

Rising Star

Ricardo Pepi, 23, scored 16 league goals to help PSV win a third consecutive league title. A former MLS Young Player of the Year, Pepi’s rise included vital moments in World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 and title conquests in the Concacaf Nations League.

Opta statistical snapshot

• Only Mexico (18) has appeared in more FIFA World Cups than the United States (12) among Concacaf nations, while the U.S. has reached the knockout stage in each of their last three participations (2010, 2014, 2022).
• The United States has the second-lowest win rate among teams with 30+ FIFA World Cup matches, winning just 9 of their 37 games – a rate of 24%, just behind Korea Republic (18%).
• Pulisic was directly involved in all three of the United States’ goals at the 2022 World Cup, scoring once and delivering two assists.
• Mauricio Pochettino will take part in his first FIFA World Cup as a head coach. His only World Cup experience as a player was in 2002, when he featured in all three of Argentina’s group matches, but failed to reach the knockout stages, including conceding the penalty in their 1-0 defeat to England.

Historic storyline entering the tournament

The United States national team is set for a 12th World Cup appearance, with its first coming in the inaugural edition of the tournament at Uruguay 1930 and its most recent at Qatar 2022, where the team reached the Round of 16.

Hosting the FIFA World Cup for a second time, the United States will look to capitalize on home advantage and produce its deepest tournament run of the modern era. Led by a core featuring Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, the Stars and Stripes enter the competition with many of their key players in their prime and expectations of making a significant impact under Mauricio Pochettino.