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The World Cup has officially arrived, and millions of fans will be watching the 104 games across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico over the coming month—but are you prepared?
After eight years of planning since securing the bid to host the 2026 tournament in 2018, the three host nations are finally set to take the field. Each co-host carries lofty ambitions, but it's the U.S. men's national team that harbors the boldest aspirations, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino even hinting his squad could lift the trophy, asking, "Why not us?"
Soccer is about to dominate the conversation, and the USMNT will win over fans all across the nation. Whether you're a newcomer to the sport, returning after a four-year absence, or just now jumping on the USMNT bandwagon, Sports Illustrated is here to get you up to speed.
When and Where is the World Cup?
This summer's World Cup marks the first edition featuring 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format, and will be the first tournament co-hosted across three nations, running from June 11 to July 19. The competition will span 16 cities, 11 of which are located in the U.S., including Los Angeles, Kansas City, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Teams will aim to minimize travel by establishing training base-camps close to their match venues.
Who Will the USMNT Play in the Group Stage?
The World Cup is divided into 12 groups of four nations each, and the USMNT will compete in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay and Türkiye, with every team facing each other once. A victory earns three points, a draw yields one point, and a defeat results in zero. During this stage, there are no tiebreakers within matches; teams level after 90 minutes simply share the points with a draw.
The top two finishers in each group will automatically progress to the round of 32. Additionally, the best eight of the 12 third-place teams will also advance, determined by a tiebreaking system based on points, goal difference and other criteria.
Should the USMNT top Group D as expected, they would play a round of 32 fixture in San Francisco, facing a third-place finisher from another group on July 1.
A second-place finish would send the U.S. to Dallas to take on the runner-up from Group G, which includes Belgium, Egypt, Iran or New Zealand. A third-place result, meanwhile, would leave the Stars and Stripes' fate considerably more uncertain.
Topping one's group typically provides the most favorable route forward and will be a key objective for the co-host this summer.
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Who are the USMNT's Star Players?
Christian Pulisic is the most prominent name on the USMNT roster and is riding a wave of confidence after scoring and providing an assist in a 3–2 friendly victory last week over African powerhouse Senegal in the final tune-up before the World Cup. That outing was a timely boost for the 27-year-old, who hadn't found the net for the USMNT since 2024 and had wrapped up his club campaign with Italian giants AC Milan without scoring in 19 appearances.
Beyond Pulisic, who wears the No. 10 shirt and operates primarily as a winger or attacking midfielder, the other marquee names are Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun.
McKennie, a gifted player celebrated for his adaptability, has been likened to a Swiss Army knife for his capacity to fill almost any role on the pitch. The 27-year-old, who wears No. 8, is expected to feature in central midfield for the USMNT. He delivered an outstanding campaign with Italian club Juventus in 2025–26, contributing eight goals and nine assists across all competitions.
Balogun, meanwhile, represents the USMNT's greatest goal-scoring threat. The 24-year-old No. 20 is a dynamic, speedy forward capable of stretching any defensive line. He netted an impressive 18 goals for French club AS Monaco during the last season.
Has the USMNT Ever Done Well at a World Cup?
The USMNT has historically outperformed both of its North American co-hosts at the World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea and the semifinals at the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
This marks the USMNT's 12th World Cup appearance and second consecutive, following their absence from the 2018 tournament in Russia. The other two co-hosts have never advanced past the quarterfinals, with Mexico's best result being the round of 16, while Canada is hoping to claim its first-ever World Cup victory this summer after falling short in all six previous attempts.
In 1994, the last time the U.S. hosted the tournament, a spirited squad reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by eventual champions Brazil despite putting in a commendable display.
Can the USMNT Win the World Cup?
Realistically, the chances of the USMNT winning the World Cup remain slim, yet the bar of expectations for this team has never been set higher.
All 26 players on the squad are competing at the elite level of club soccer, in the top flights of their respective leagues, and have had the 2026 World Cup in their sights for much of their careers. Several, including Pulisic, McKennie and Balogun, are established stars in European football.
The USMNT would consider anything short of a group stage victory a disappointment, and a realistic outcome sees the team progressing to the round of 16, with a genuine shot at the quarterfinals. The USMNT is far from content simply participating; the squad views itself as a credible dark horse capable of a deep tournament run.
The team does have the potential for either extreme, however. There's a real possibility that everything clicks and the squad pushes all the way to the semifinals. Equally, Australia, Paraguay and Türkiye could prove challenging enough to deny the USMNT a place in the knockout rounds entirely.
Either way, it promises to be an entertaining summer.
So You're a Fan—Here's How You Can Watch and Follow
Tuning in to the USMNT and the broader World Cup action will be straightforward. Whether you plan to attend an official FIFA FanFest in one of the 16 host cities, watch at a local bar or restaurant, or enjoy the games from your living room, the atmosphere is sure to be electric, and matches are projected to shatter viewership records.
For every match of the tournament, U.S.-based viewers can watch on FOX for English-language coverage and Telemundo and Peacock for Spanish-language commentary, while comprehensive tournament coverage can be found right here on Sports Illustrated.