Clint Dempsey Throws Down the Gauntlet: USMNT Must Rise to Historic 2026 World Cup Moment
Ex-USMNT standout Clint Dempsey believes that failing to escape Group D at the 2026 World Cup would constitute a disappointment for the United States men's national soccer team.
The retired striker shared his expectations for the USMNT's performance at the upcoming tournament during an appearance on the Men in Blazers podcast. Dempsey stressed the importance of rekindling American supporters' faith in the squad and achieving a superior result at soccer's premier competition compared to previous U.S. teams.
"I won't set limits on how far they can go, but I will establish minimum expectations," the 42-year-old stated regarding the second men's World Cup ever hosted on U.S. territory.
"We must advance from our group. Falling short of that would be unacceptable... they need to reach the round of 32. If they can't make it to the round of 32... I don't even want to consider that scenario."
Dempsey, who netted 57 times across 141 international appearances and participated in three World Cups, wants the current squad to surpass his most successful World Cup campaigns, where the U.S. reached the round of 16 in both 2010 and 2014.
The USMNT's greatest World Cup achievement occurred in 1930 when they finished third among 13 participating nations at the first-ever tournament. In recent decades, their peak performance was reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Germany at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
USMNT's Group Stage Challenge Unfolds on the West Coast
Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino's guidance, the USMNT will compete against Australia, Paraguay and either Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo in Group D matches. The leading two teams from each group, plus the best eight third-place finishers, will progress to the elimination rounds.
"Can we restore this nation's faith? Can we motivate future generations? Can we elevate soccer's profile annually and establish it as a major sport in America? These factors will determine success," Dempsey continued.
"Captivate this nation through your performance and make us proud... You have the potential to win it all. Whether you reach the semifinals or quarterfinals, can you surpass what any previous national team has accomplished?"
The USMNT will begin their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles on June 12 versus Paraguay, then meet Australia in Seattle—Dempsey's former MLS home for six seasons—on June 19. Pochettino's squad concludes Group D play back in Los Angeles on June 25.