The winner of the World Cup will hoist a trophy, receive championship rings for the first time and gain a lifetime of glory in what will be a defining moment in the country’s sports history. It’ll also lead to a significant payday. The World Cup winner earns $51 million. The second prize is $34 million. … Read more
On the same day that U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson told me and a handful of other national reporters that the federation remains in “active discussions” to bring Mauricio Pochettino back as the U.S. men’s national team coach, Pochettino said Thursday his decision on whether he’ll stay coaching the Americans or move on is just … Read more
This was the World Cup of firsts. The first tournament to feature 48 teams saw 1,248 players descend upon Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer. The expanded field means there will be a total of 104 matches played at the conclusion of the tournament, resulting in 9,360 minutes of soccer played in regulation … Read more
Somehow, yes, it’s true: for the first time in World Cup history, the four remaining teams are also the top four teams in FIFA’s rankings. The tournament has been around since 1930, and even with an expanded 48-team field designed to create more unpredictability, the final four is as chalk as it gets. No. 1 … Read more
U.S. star Christian Pulisic fractured his right leg during the Americans’ World Cup loss to Belgium and will be sidelined for several weeks, a person familiar with the injury said Thursday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the diagnosis, first reported by The Athletic, had not yet been announced … Read more
The World Cup ended far sooner than anyone had hoped for the Americans. Following the United States’ 4-1 loss to Belgium, much of the attention centered on Christian Pulisic and whether the team’s biggest star delivered when it mattered most. Pulisic’s urgency and passion came under scrutiny after his postgame comments were perceived by many … Read more
Christian Pulisic has become the target of many critics of the U.S. men’s soccer team following its round of 16 loss to Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, he has a pair of U.S. Soccer icons in his corner, too: Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. Both Donovan and Howard expressed some empathy for … Read more
For landing USA men’s World Cup coach Mauricio Pochettino and his women’s national team counterpart Emma Hayes, the U.S. Soccer Federation’s leadership deserves enduring credit. Both programs were rudderless after respective unprecedented setbacks at the 2024 Copa América and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Both needed a refresh. In response, USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone … Read more
SEATTLE STADIUM — Christian Pulisic was not in the mood to talk. Why would he be? The United States’ star came through the mixed zone interview area after his team had just been eliminated from the World Cup, and saw a familiar group of journalists waiting to speak with him. The 27-year-old winger looked exhausted, … Read more
The U.S. men’s soccer team’s run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on a damper note, but the United States Soccer Federation is feeling incredibly grateful for the support the squad received during its run to the round of 16. A day after its elimination from the World Cup, the United States Soccer Federation … Read more