Alex Morgan, a two-time World Cup champion with the U.S. women’s national team, offers valuable insights into the U.S. men’s national team’s prospects at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This tournament begins this week across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Morgan’s Expectations

Morgan, who retired in 2024, shared her thoughts on “SportsCenter.” She believes making it to the Round of 16 would signify success for the team. Morgan emphasized, “If we make it there, and we advance, that’s a huge success. However, if we don’t advance, it’s not a failure.” She highlighted the importance of the team’s momentum and the energy from the fans. Additionally, Morgan noted the benefit of having 13 players with previous World Cup experience. She said, “They know the pressure and excitement; the team can build on that.”

Christian Pulisic’s Perspective

Christian Pulisic, a key player for the USMNT, recently expressed his vision for a successful World Cup. Speaking to Newsweek, Pulisic stated, “I want to look back with no regrets, knowing we gave everything as a team. Success isn’t defined solely by how far we go.” He stressed the importance of effort and collective pride in their performance.

Historical Context

The USMNT has advanced beyond the Round of 16 only once since 1930. The most recent achievement was a quarterfinal finish in 2002, where they lost to Germany. This history sets a challenging benchmark for the current team.

Upcoming Match

The USMNT will face Paraguay to kick off their 2026 World Cup journey. The match will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, at 9 p.m. ET on Friday. Fans can check the full schedule for further details.