Tyler Adams, a player for the US national team. Photo: Getty Images
According to the VNA correspondent in Washington, American football fans are placing their faith in a generation of players considered among the most talented in the country's football history. And history shows that home teams always have reason to hope.
When the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, soccer was still a relatively unfamiliar sport to most Americans. In a country dominated by American football, baseball, and basketball, soccer was considered a sport that "the whole world loves, except Americans." The US even insisted on using the word "soccer" instead of "football," as the rest of the world did.
However, over three decades have completely changed that picture. Today, the number of teenagers playing soccer in America continues to grow dramatically. Major League Soccer (MLS) has developed into a stable professional league with increasing appeal, while the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has become one of the world's leading women's soccer leagues.
At the national team level, the US women's soccer team has built a true empire with four World Cup titles. That success has helped transform soccer from an exotic sport into an important part of American sports culture.
The US men's national team enters the 2026 World Cup with what is considered its strongest squad in many years. The core of the team is the trio of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams – who have grown together, conquered regional titles, and brought the US back to a competitive position in the North Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region.
Despite his inconsistent form at club level, Pulisic is still considered the team's biggest star. The AC Milan player has long proven his ability to shine in big matches and continues to be the number one hope in attack.
Behind him is an experienced defense featuring Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, and Sergiño Dest – players currently competing in top European leagues. Meanwhile, striker Folarin Balogun is expected to solve the goalscoring problem that has plagued the US national team for many years. With 9 goals in 26 international matches, Balogun is gradually becoming the type of center forward that American soccer has lacked.
World Cup history shows that host nations often perform better than expected. South Korea reached the semi-finals in 2002, Russia the quarter-finals in 2018, and Qatar, despite not achieving great success on the field, still benefited greatly from familiar playing conditions.
For the US, the home advantage is further amplified by the remarkable development of domestic soccer. Modern stadiums, large crowds, and familiarity with the climate, time zone, and living conditions could help the national men's team go further than expected.
However, the US is not considered a favorite to win the championship. They will have to prove that their "golden generation" is truly capable of competing with powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, France, or England. In the group stage, the US will face Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. If they finish top of their group, the US team will have a better chance of securing a favorable spot in the knockout round.
The 2026 World Cup is considered the biggest tournament in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. For the United States, this is not only an opportunity to host a global sporting event but also a chance to prove that soccer has truly become a part of the national sporting identity. In particular, American fans haven't forgotten the defeat against Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup. A potential rematch on American soil could become a new and emotional chapter in the team's history.
History is giving the U.S. team a unique advantage: home-field support, the cheers of millions of fans, and a generation of exceptionally talented players. But history only opens the door. Whether they step through it will depend on the national team's ability in the most anticipated summer of American soccer.
According to VNA
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/world-cup-2026-diem-tua-lich-su-a488061.html
