The U.S. men’s national team entered the 2026 World Cup with immense hope, knowing it had the advantage of playing on home soil and a favorable draw. By the end, there was nothing more than a sense of dread, exiting on a dismal 4–1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
Yet, it wasn’t all bad for manager Mauricio Pochettino’s men. They showed their potential at points throughout the group stage and adaptability in the round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even some depth players stepped up big, all before the eventual disheartening finish.
