It’s finally here, folks: the year every U.S. men’s national team fan has been waiting for.
Welcome back to Backheeled’s prediction week, where we’re taking a crack at predicting the American soccer landscape’s biggest moments in 2026. Earlier this week, my colleague Joe Lowery called himself a “glutton for punishment” for efforting through a batch of MLS predictions, despite the league’s inherent unpredictability. Later in the week, John Morrissey will share his predictions for the USL’s year ahead.
But for now? We’re diving head first into the USMNT, making 10 predictions for 2026 along the way. The first five will be tied to this summer’s World Cup, while the final five focus on what follows the biggest sporting event in history. Onwards.
The USMNT will reach the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup
We’re starting off bold. On paper, the U.S. isn’t a top four team in the world. In fact, it might not be close. But if it finishes first in its navigable group featuring Paraguay, Australia, and a to-be-determined European team that will probably be Turkey after their March playoff, there’s a manageable path to at least the quarterfinals.
