The countdown is officially real now. Three international windows. Eight months. Just 209 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on home soil.
And for the U.S. Men’s National Team, every session, every sprint, every touch suddenly feels heavier.
As the world’s biggest tournament inches closer to its opening match on July 11, 2026, players across the U.S. pool aren’t shy about their intentions. They all want their spot. They all want to walk out wearing the crest in a World Cup played in their own backyard. But inside the camp, the feeling isn’t panic. It’s something sharper.
Is not desperation but focus
According to veteran center back Tim Ream, the emotion bubbling up around the national team right now isn’t desperation-it’s focus. “There’s a little bit more bite in trainings,” Ream said after Friday morning’s session at a windswept WSFS Bank Sportsplex outside Subaru Park.
“There’s intensity. There’s more aggressiveness. Guys are doing everything they possibly can to be a part of the team… Guys are desperate to be a part of the group, the team, and a World Cup on home soil.”
The U.S. is nearing the end of its 2025 calendar, and the November window will be the final camp until March 2026. After that? Only one more training window before the World Cup begins in Mexico City.
Ten, the key number
Inside camp, another number has been circulating: 10-the approximate number of full training sessions before the U.S. takes the field for its first group-stage match on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium. Ten sessions. That’s what stands between a player and the opportunity of a lifetime.
“When you talk about number of games, number of training sessions, number of camps, it’s knocking on our door,” said Ream. The U.S. enters the November window riding a three-match unbeaten streak, including impressive results against two red-hot opponents-Ecuador and Australia.
Now comes another pair of World Cup-bound teams: Paraguay (Nov. 15 in Chester, Pennsylvania) and two-time champions Uruguay (Nov. 18 in Tampa). These aren’t treated as friendlies. Not now. For head coach Mauricio Pochettino, performances in these next two matches will weigh heavily on what will become one of the most scrutinized roster selections in U.S. soccer history.
“It’s the last window that we have for a little while before things start to heat up a bit,” said striker Folarin Balogun. “It’s important to see things out properly and to see both games out properly.”
Midfielder Diego Luna echoed that sentiment. “What’s exciting is that I get two more games this year with the national team,” Luna said. “With competitive games against really good opponents… It’s super exciting to end off the year strong.” Pressure? Yes. Panic? No.
Read the full article here
