In a recent interview, United States coach Gregg Berhalter expressed his excitement and added motivation to have the 2026 World Cup final played in New Jersey, close to his childhood home. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium, the venue that will host the championship match of the expanded 48-nation, 104-game tournament. This opportunity presents a dream come true for Berhalter, who grew up just 15 minutes away from the stadium.
Having the final in New Jersey not only adds extra incentive for Berhalter but also brings a sense of pride in representing his country on such a significant stage. He mentioned, 'We really want to make the country proud.' The decision to award the final to MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL's New York Jets and Giants since 2010, marks the culmination of the first ever tournament spread across three nations, with Mexico and Canada hosting 13 matches each.
As the U.S. team prepares for the World Cup, they will train at their national training center in suburban Atlanta and will play their opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12. The team will then follow the same time zone for their subsequent matches, playing at Seattle's Lumen Field seven days later and wrapping up the group stage at SoFi on June 25. Berhalter expressed confidence in their schedule, stating, 'I don't think we could have went wrong. We're going to have great home support.'
The potential advantages of playing at home with a core group of talented players including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams, all in their mid-20s, are tantalizing for Berhalter. The coach aims to build a strong team that can make a deep run in the tournament. Reflecting on Morocco's impressive performance in the 2018 World Cup, where they reached the semifinals, Berhalter believes the U.S. can aim for similar success. He said, 'You get into the semifinals, you're one game away from the final.'
Berhalter emphasized the diversity within the U.S. team, which he believes is representative of the country itself. He hopes that Americans can see themselves in the team and identify with their style of play. With the 2026 World Cup held on home soil, the U.S. team will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and inspire fans across the nation.
As hosts, the U.S. won't participate in World Cup qualifiers. However, they have a busy year ahead with two tournaments, the Concacaf Nations League and the Copa América, both to be played on home soil. The team will defend their title in the Concacaf competition and face Jamaica in the semifinals on March 21, with Mexico and Panama competing in the other matchup. In the Copa América group stage, the U.S. will face Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay.
Berhalter confirmed that defender Sergiño Dest will be included in the roster for the Nations League, despite being suspended for the match against Jamaica due to a red card received in November's 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago. The coach's focus is on taking on the best teams in international soccer and continuing the development of the group.
The United States team, under the guidance of Gregg Berhalter, is determined to make a mark on the global soccer stage. With the 2026 World Cup final in their own backyard, they have a unique opportunity to create lasting memories and inspire a nation with their performance. The dreams of players like Berhalter and the pride of representing their country are what fuel their desire to succeed.
