A Month of Dreams and Disappointment

Recapping the USMNT's 2026 World Cup Run

The United States' home World Cup began with a statement. In front of a raucous crowd at Los Angeles Stadium, the Americans dismantled Paraguay 4-1 in their opener on June 12, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice in the first half and late substitute Gio Reyna adding a stoppage-time finish. It was the most goals the USMNT had ever scored in a single World Cup match, and it set an electric tone for the tournament to come. However, Christian Pulisic, who was untouchable in the first half, was subbed off at halftime with an apparent calf injury.

The Americans followed that up with a composed 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle on June 19, with an own goal and Alex Freeman scoring, clinching their spot in the knockout rounds and, shortly after, their first group title since 2010. With qualification already secured, Pochettino rotated his squad heavily for the group finale against Türkiye, and the experimental lineup paid the price, falling 3-2 on a stoppage-time winner on June 25. Even in defeat, the U.S. closed the group stage with its highest point total and largest goal tally in tournament history. Pulisic was left on the bench for the victory over Australia and came on in the second half against Türkiye, showing signs of life and recovery.

The knockout rounds brought a new format wrinkle with an added round of 32, and with it, the USMNT's first win at that stage since 2002. On July 1, Balogun opened the scoring against Bosnia-Herzegovina before halftime, and after his red card sent him to the locker room early, Malik Tillman sealed the win with a stunning free kick. It marked just the third time in program history the U.S. had beaten a European opponent in a knockout match.

Then came the chaos. Balogun's suspension for the red card was controversially lifted by FIFA a day before the Belgium match, a reversal reportedly prompted by a call from President Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Belgium's federation said it received no explanation for the decision, and manager Rudi Garcia said he initially thought the news was an "April Fools'" joke. The episode sparked a wave of pointed reactions across Europe after Belgium won the ensuing match.

That match arrived Monday, and it unraveled quickly. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the opening 33 minutes, sandwiching a deflected Tillman free kick that briefly tied the score. A second-half hesitation by goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Belgium a third goal, and Romelu Lukaku added a fourth in stoppage time, sending the U.S. out 4-1 and prompting Belgium's Twitter account to post "Overturn this" afterward.

For all the disappointment, the run left plenty to build on. The U.S. won three World Cup matches for the first time ever, scored a tournament-record 11 goals, and gave Pochettino his first three victories as a World Cup manager. Tillman became the first American to score in consecutive knockout matches and just the second player on record with two direct free-kick goals in a single World Cup.

Still, questions linger about whether this generation—Pulisic, McKennie, Adams and the rest—can ever get past the round of 16, a wall the program has now hit in five of its nine World Cup appearances since 1990. As the buzz of a home tournament fades, the USMNT's next real test begins the long climb toward 2030.