What Is A Successful World Cup For USA In 2026 With Their New Boss, Pochettino, In Charge?

First things first...I fucking LOVE this hire. Big name. Good resume. Demanding. Has a history of making young players better. 

Here are things we know about Pochettino teams...they're going to press. They're going to be fit. They're going to work their bag off. I do feel like that identity of the hardworking, counter-attacking, plucky underdogs that defined the USMNT when I was young was lost in the past couple of cycles. I would love to keep that identity, but do it with better players. I think Pochettino is the best guy to get more out of Reyna, McKennie, Pulisic, and Adams. How it looks exactly remains to be seen, but I am excited about the hire. A clear departure from the usual USMNT business. 

Now that we have a big name manager and a "golden generation" ahead of hosting the 2026 World Cup I think it is time to ask what is a good tournament for the United States. I don't think there is a single person on the planet who believes the US can actually win a World Cup, but we've got to be better than what we've been. 

I don't think most people know that the format for the World Cup is changing. It's expanding from 32 qualifiers to 48. 12 groups of 4. Top 2 advance and then some 3rd place teams. The first round of the knockout will have 32 teams instead of 16. 

The best the United States has ever done in World Cup is going to the quarterfinal in 2002 where we got fucked

To get back to the quarterfinal the United States would have to a) get out of the group which after the Copa America feels hardly guaranteed, b) win two knockout games. 

That to me...feels impossible. I guess I would need to see us consistently beat teams like Jamaica and Panama before I can be convinced that America is capable of beating a Belgium or Croatia. Can't even dream of beating Spain, Brazil, France, etc. Those countries are more likely to beat us in Basketball than we are beating them at soccer on home soil. It sucks, but that is the way it is right now until little Randy Mosses and Michael Vicks start playing soccer. 

Still a great hire. I am excited. Just think there's soooo much work to be done. 

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