Current FIFA Ranking: 14
Highest FIFA Ranking: 4 (April 2006)
Lowest FIFA Ranking: 35 (July 2012)
Football Team Nickname: The Stars and Stripes
Honours:
Gold Cup (7): 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2021
Nations League (3): 2020, 2023, 2024
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino (since Sept 2024)
Star players: Christian Pulisic (Milan), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace)
Failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after seven consecutive appearances was a shock to the USA soccer system but they returned in 2022 where they reached the Round of 16 before losing 3-1 v Netherlands.
Hosting the competition for the second time after 1994 where they reached the Round of 16, losing 1-0 to Brazil following Bebeto’s second half goal.
Appointed Mauricio Pochettino in September 2024 – he got off to a winning start against Panama but struggled early in 2025 with defeats against Panama and Canada and only securing narrow wins against Haiti and Guatemala. He is hoping to become the first coach since Bruce Arena in 2002 to lead them beyond the World Cup Round of 16.
Will open their 2026 campaign in Los Angeles, returning there for MD3 after a trip to Seattle on MD2.
Expectations are high, confidence is low.
How the hosts have fared:
Stage reached as host nation Number of teams
Winners 6 (Uruguay ’30, Italy ’34, England ’66, W Germany ’74, Argentina ’78, France ’98)
Runners-up 2 (Brazil ’50, Sweden’ 58)
Semi-finals 5 (Chile ’62, Italy ’90, Korea Republic ’02, Germany ’06, Brazil ’14)
Quarter-finals 5 (France ’38, Switzerland ’54, Mexico ’70, Mexico ’86, Russia ’18)
Round of 16 2 (USA ’94, Japan ’02)
Second group stage 1 (Spain ’82)
Group stage 2 (South Africa ’10, Qatar ‘22)
Previous World Cup appearances (11):
2022: Round of 16 (1-3 v Netherlands)
2014: Round of 16
2010: Round of 16
2006: Group stage
2002: Quarter-final
1998: Group stage
1994: Round of 16
1990: Group stage
1950: Group stage
1934: Preliminary round
1930: Third
