It’s almost always obvious when a team hasn’t prepared thoroughly for a match, but sometimes, it doesn’t have a choice. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup and going into the group stage, teams had months to scout their upcoming opponents. Months to build as elite a roster as possible, months to pour through film, months … Read more
U.S. World Cup Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) — When was the last time the U.S. men’s national team won a knockout game at a World Cup? Well, it’s been a while. At the 2002 tournament hosted by South Korea and Japan, the Americans beat rival Mexico in the round of 16 to advance to the … Read more
LOS ANGELES STADIUM — At least one American is headed to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Canada coach Jesse Marsch, who was an assistant coach with the U.S. men’s national team when the Stars and Stripes reached the same stage under Bob Bradley in 2010, on Sudnay became the first … Read more
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is over, and as I said to Zlatan on air: This is the end of the chapter, not the end of the book. We’ve still got a lot of the book to read, but this was a beefy chapter — historically beefy, with a lot of soccer but … Read more
Alright, familia. Clear your calendars, stock up the fridge and get ready for the World Cup’s newly formatted Round of 32!  I am particularly excited about these matches because this is a brand new, expanded round – meaning that the thrill of knockout, win-or-go home football will come in 16 matches. The chances of dramatic … Read more
As World Cup odds reach the knockout stage, the top teams are drawing plenty of support in championship futures. France, Argentina, Spain and England are well-backed, as are Portugal and Brazil. But since this 48-team tournament began on June 11, the most popular team in World Cup futures bets is the United States. And though … Read more
Christian Pulisic is considered to have “bailed out” AC Milan at times, but Ruud Gullit has told GOAL why the Rossoneri’s appointment of Ruben Amorim could be “very dangerous” for the USMNT star and other proven performers. A Portuguese coach that was sacked by Manchester United in January has returned to management in Italy, but … Read more
Group play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearing its end, and there weren’t many surprises as we head toward the knockout stage. But does that mean the favorites entering the tournament should remain the favorites ahead of the knockout stage? That’s what “First Things First’s” Nick Wright believes. As we’re nearly complete with … Read more
U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has been offered a contract extension through the 2030 World Cup, sources confirmed to our Doug McIntyre. Any decision on whether Pochettino will remain beyond the 2026 edition of the World Cup will not be decided until after the conclusion of the tournament. Pochettino was hired by U.S. … Read more
LOS ANGELES STADIUM — All it took was one unlucky loss in the USA’s dead-rubber final group-stage game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Mauricio Pochettino to reveal the immense pressure he knows he’s under. Hired to be the men’s national team’s savior when the U.S. Soccer Federation backed up the Brinks truck — … Read more