Could the USMNT play on July 4 at World Cup 2026? Here’s how it could happen
A specific set of results could see the USMNT play on July 4 as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of Independence.
President Donald Trump has pledged to throw a “spectacular birthday party” to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, expected to include Washington, D.C.’s largest ever fireworks show. American soccer fans could also be in for a treat, with the possibility that the United States men’s national soccer team could be in FIFA World Cup 2026 action on the big day.
It should be said that the U.S. Soccer Federation will probably be hoping that is not the case.
How the USMNT’s group stage could shape the schedule
The USMNT have been drawn in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and the winner of a UEFA playoff, which will be one of Turkey, Slovenia, Kosovo or Romania. If they finish either first or second, which will be the objective given none of the world’s very best teams are involved, they will qualify for the round of 32.
Should Mauricio Pochettino’s team top Group D, they would play a round-of-32 game in Santa Clara on July 1, and a potential round-of-16 matchup in Seattle on July 6.
A runner-up finish in Group D, meanwhile, would lead to a round-of-32 fixture in Arlington on July 3, with Atlanta hosting a possible round-of-16 game on July 7.
The path to a July 4 World Cup game
However, if they were to finish third in Group D, that would open up the chance of an iconic July 4 World Cup clash. The issue is that finishing third does not guarantee qualification for the knockout stages.
With 48 teams at the tournament, the USMNT would need one of the eight best records among countries finishing third in their respective groups. Were that to happen, there are two ways in which they could eventually play on July 4.
Depending on which combination of third-place teams from which groups qualifies for the round of 32, the USMNT could face the winner of Group E, Germany, Curuçao, Ivory Coast or Ecuador, in Boston on June 29. If they were to win that game, that would set up a round-of-16 game, potentially against France, in Philadelphia on July 4.
Alternatively, they could face the French, or another winner of Group I, in the round of 32 in New York on June 30. A victory there would also see them qualify for that Independence Day game in Philadelphia, with Germany a potential opponent.
Why the US could still miss out on July 4
However, the U.S. could finish third in Group D, qualify for the round of 32 and still miss out on July 4 action.
They could instead be drawn to play a round-of-32 game against the winner of Group K, Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia and a UEFA playoff winner, in Kansas City on July 3. A victory there would then set up a round-of-16 game in Vancouver on July 7.
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