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VANCOUVER — Cobi Jones called a run to the World Cup semifinals an extraordinary achievement, but that wasn't his only message for the current U.S. men's national team.
The former USMNT icon may have hung up his boots in 2007, but he hasn't completely stepped away from the game.
On a beautiful spring day in Vancouver, Jones laced up once more, this time donning an all-black adidas kit covered in FIFA branding from top to bottom.
He was representing Concacaf at the FIFA Delegations Football Tournament, a casual eight-team competition featuring FIFA Legends, officials and other figures ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
The FIFA Delegation Football Tournament has taken over the Whitecaps facility at UBC — featuring legends of the game.
Already seen De Rosario, Wenger, Del Piero, Marcel De Jong, Jorge Campos, Cobi Jones, Cafu, Cannavaro, Eto'o and more.
Former Canada Soccer presidents Victor… pic.twitter.com/liughI41Z2
While the Delegations Tournament brings a lighter atmosphere to an otherwise business-heavy FIFA Congress week, it also served as a quiet launch pad for the 2026 World Cup. Co-host Canada claimed victory with a squad that included MLS icon Dwayne De Rosario and FIFA Vice President Victor Montaglini, among others.
"Events like this really boost the energy and excitement building toward the World Cup," Jones tells Sports Illustrated, drawing comparisons to similar gatherings in the lead-up to the 1994 World Cup on U.S. soil, sweat still glistening on his face after a match against the FIFA team, which included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Brazilian great Cafu and others.
"I think back to 1994 where there were loads of these events happening, and it was great to see because it really marked the beginning of it all, and seeing something like this today brings back that same feeling."
What is a Successful World Cup for the USMNT?
Heading into the first-ever 48-team World Cup, Jones was reluctant to make any bold predictions for the USMNT this summer. Nevertheless, he echoes Pochettino's ambitious target of reaching the tournament's final four.
"Nobody can set expectations," Jones says. "What I would consider a truly remarkable run for the USMNT would be reaching the semis — that would be an achievement that launches every one of these players into the stratosphere, an entirely different level, one that would leave a mark not just on soccer, but on sports as a whole."
To get there, the USMNT must first work through Group D opponents Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye, then overcome three knockout-round opponents, with a potential semifinal showdown in Dallas or Atlanta in their sights. Even beyond the USMNT, the broader inspirational power of the tournament beyond the stadium walls isn't lost on the Detroit-born legend.
"The wonderful thing about the World Cup is that it's a cultural celebration you can take in from so many different angles...this World Cup is pricier, but I think when you look at it, there are plenty of ways to be part of it," he adds.
"Enjoy it with family and friends. Head to your local pub, soak in the neighborhood atmosphere where you'll see groups of people coming together and bringing their cultures with them. That's where I found my post-playing life, and I've built some incredible memories."
Embracing the World Cup Moment
For Jones, who carries a wealth of cherished memories from his 164 caps with the USMNT and his experience at the 1994 World Cup, the most vital message for the USMNT this summer is simple: Savor every moment.
While the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino's squad will be greater than ever, maintaining that mindset is essential, he says. For the USMNT, that means managing celebrity status and heightened expectations surrounding the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and the team's marquee names — regardless of their club-level form.
"I want these guys to enjoy it above everything else," Jones says. "You need to have a sense of joy. From this moment right now to 40 years down the road, you want to look back and know you had a great time at the World Cup, competing at the very peak of your abilities."
Along with that enjoyment comes the possibility of unforgettable home matches as well.
The USMNT is the only co-host with the chance to play every single game on home soil throughout the entire tournament. Yet, given the steep ticket prices and a recent history of struggling to draw home-friendly crowds, there are concerns the team could face hostile atmospheres.
At the 1994 tournament, the USMNT experienced the opposite, knocking off South American powerhouse Colombia 2–1 in front of more than 93,000 fans at the Rose Bowl, before a 1–0 round of 16 defeat to Brazil that remains one of Jones's most defining memories.
"I hope they can have something close to what I experienced in that match against Brazil, where we thought the stadium would be packed with Brazilian supporters and we stepped onto the pitch to find it was four U.S. fans for every one Brazil fan, a sea of red, white and blue," he says.
"That told me we had truly arrived. We had taken things to a whole new level, we had captured the hearts of the nation, and I want these guys to feel that same thing."