The United States men's national team unveiled its roster for the 2026 World Cup in New York on Tuesday, with coach Mauricio Pochettino and former defender Alexi Lalas chanting "Why not us?" – a slogan suggesting the team could win the tournament. Pochettino emphasized the American spirit of dreaming big and achieving the impossible.

However, the US has a modest World Cup history: only one quarterfinal appearance since 1930, and just three wins since 2002. The team has never won more than two games in a single tournament (1930 and 2002). Against European opponents, the US record stands at 3-14-7 in World Cup matches.

The US is placed in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and Turkey – a favorable draw in an expanded 48-team field. Winning the group could mean facing a European side in the Round of 32, while finishing second might lead to a matchup against Egypt, Iran, or New Zealand. The path to the quarterfinals would require four victories.

Key players include goalkeeper Matt Turner, defenders Tim Ream, Sergino Dest, and Antonee Robinson, midfielders Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie, and forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi. The team will train at a new $200 million facility in Fayetteville, Georgia, funded by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

The US opens against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, followed by Australia on June 19 in Seattle, and Turkey on June 25 in Los Angeles.

Source: www.aljazeera.com