When Mauricio Pochettino signed on in Sept. 2024, only 10 international windows — nine regular FIFA dates, plus the 2025 Gold Cup — separated the USMNT from the 2026 World Cup. After each window, “Ten Windows” digs into key developments and charts the USMNT’s progress towards the 2026 World Cup.
Results this window:
Belgium 5, USA 2 (Debast 45, Onana 53, De Ketelaere 59 [pen], Lukebakio 68, 82; McKennie 39, Agyemang 87)
Portugal 2, USA 0 (Trincao 36, Joao Felix 59)
The story this window:
The negatives are obvious. But we’re supposed to be feeling positive this close to the World Cup, right? Right? Let’s at least try.
Today marks the start of April, 2026. It’s been eight years since FIFA awarded the USA (along with Canada and Mexico) hosting rights for this summer’s World Cup. It’s been roughly three-and-a-half years since the U.S. men’s national team successfully returned to the World Cup stage in Qatar. It’s been 19 months since the U.S. hired Mauricio Pochettino, the most accomplished, most internationally-respected head coach in program history.
Which is to say two things about the start of April, 2026. First, that this summer’s World Cup is now just two months and change away. Second, that despite the buildup to this World Cup for the USMNT having been long – and frequently hiccupy – the expectation has always been that by April 2026, with just those two months remaining, that buildup would have reached a crescendo of optimism and excitement.
Well, USMNT fans, here’s your crescendo of optimism: a 5-2 thumping at the hands of Belgium despite the return of program stalwarts Christian Pulisic and Jedi Robinson. Here’s your crescendo of excitement: a meek 2-0 submission to Portugal in which the U.S. mustered only 0.68 xG on home soil. Get on your feet USA fans, it’s time to make some noise! I caaaaan’t heeeeeeear you! No, really, I can’t… I can’t hear you.
What’s particularly disappointing about this window letting so much air out of the balloon is that the last time we saw the USMNT, that balloon had arguably been as inflated as we’d seen it since Couva. The U.S. pummeling Uruguay 5-1 in November capped a run of four wins and a draw from five games against World Cup teams that – if it didn’t mark the U.S. as a contender for a deep run just yet – at least seemed to signal that Pochettino’s project had moved decisively in the right direction.
