Before the Trionda ball officially rolled, the Opta supercomputer simulated the 2026 World Cup finals a total of 10,000 times to determine the team with the highest chance of winning the championship. The results showed that Spain had the highest chance of winning the 2026 World Cup, coming first in 16.1% of the simulations. Following them were France (13%), England (11.2%), Argentina (10.4%), Portugal (7%), and Brazil (6.6%). For co-hosts USA, the results were disastrous, with only a 1.21% chance.

Opta's predictive basis is historical and current data. Regarding player quality, no American player is included in the Guardian's list of the 100 best players of 2025 published last December. The current US squad also doesn't have many players playing for top European clubs. World Cup performance also doesn't favor the US. Excluding their third-place finish in the inaugural World Cup, the US team has never been a dominant force at the world's biggest football tournament.

Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the US team, celebrates after scoring the second goal against Australia. Photo: AP

However, after just two wins and a spot in the knockout round, things changed. From 18th place in Opta's supercomputer predictions, the US team climbed to 8th place, with a 4.7% chance of winning the championship.

Certainly, never before has the US national team felt such a surge of inspiration to climb to the world's football throne as it does now. This inspiration was sparked by President Donald Trump's direct call with coach Mauricio Pochettino and his team just before the US's opening match at SoFi Arena in Los Angeles. Coach Pochettino confidently asserted that the US is capable of winning the 2026 World Cup, even without any players ranked in the top 100 in the world.

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Most recently, the US team's winning spirit was further fueled by star and former Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who believes the co-hosts have a chance to compete for the 2026 World Cup title.

With endless inspiration, can the US team make a mark at this World Cup?

Of course, "actions speak louder than words," inspiration is a "necessary" condition, and ability is a "sufficient" condition. The US team already has the "necessary" condition. But what about the "sufficient" condition?

In their opening match against Paraguay, the US team crushed their opponent with explosive attacking play and lightning-fast transitions. Against Australia, the US played a more disciplined, pragmatic, yet equally effective game. The two matches unfolded differently, but both ended in victory. The US players not only won, but also demonstrated a balance between attack and defense. They conceded only one goal in two matches, while their offense created numerous dangerous opportunities.

Coach Pochettino's team is playing modern, energetic football with a very clear identity. The most important key is their high-intensity pressing system. Against Australia, the US proactively pushed their formation high up the pitch from the start. While this pressure didn't directly create goals, it completely disrupted Australia's attacking system. Their opponents were almost unable to control the tempo of the game, frequently losing possession in midfield and constantly being forced into a defensive stance.

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In their final group stage match, the US team will face Türkiye – a team that has already been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. The result of this match will likely not reveal much. The real journey for the American team will begin in the knockout rounds, where they will face tough opponents. However, if they maintain their current form and their boundless inspiration – an invaluable mental factor – the dream of lifting the World Cup trophy is not entirely hopeless. Although it will be a long journey, with increasingly difficult obstacles along the way.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/cam-hung-vo-dich-1045367