The United States men’s national team will face two of Europe’s strongest sides during the March 2026 international window as Mauricio Pochettino’s team steps up preparations for the World Cup.

U.S. Soccer has confirmed that the USMNT will play Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31, with both games scheduled for Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

The friendly games come ahead of FIFA’s showpiece tournament, which begins in June, and gives boss Mauricio Pochettino the opportunity to test his squad against top level opposition. At least those that are available.

USMNT vs Belgium: date, time and venue

The first of the two Atlanta games will see the United States face Belgium on Saturday, March 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The kickoff corresponds to 8:30 p.m. CET in Europe, one day before European countries move their clocks forward for daylight saving time, and catching up with the States.

Belgium secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup and will give us a decent idea of how the U.S. is shaping up.

USMNT vs Portugal: date, time and venue

Three days after the Belgians, the United States will remain in Atlanta to face Portugal, with many fans hoping to see Cristiano Ronaldo up close.

That game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on March 31, which corresponds to 1 a.m. CEST on April 1 in Europe (after the switch to daylight saving time).

Portugal also qualified directly for the World Cup and some have them as potential dark horses to lift the trophy.

Dest injury raises defensive questions

Mauricio Pochettino has announced the 27 players on the squad for the friendly matches against Portugal and Belgium with a few changes to his last list. Notable omissions include: Sergiño Dest, Tyler Adams, Diego Luna and Haji Wright.

“I’m taking a break from doing what I love most for a while,” Dest wrote on social media before adding a more optimistic message: “One thing is for sure, this is NOT the end of the season.”

His absence has opened the door for alternatives such as Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Joe Scally and Villarreal’s Alex Freeman.

At the same time, the team is carefully managing captain Christian Pulisic ahead of the tournament, aware of the AC Milan forward’s importance to the team’s attacking plans.

Tickets and broadcast details

Tickets for both friendlies are available through U.S. Soccer’s official ticketing platforms.

The matches will be broadcast across several U.S. outlets, including TNT Sports networks and streaming via Peacock, with Spanish language coverage also planned.

More USMNT friendlies before the World Cup

The Atlanta games are part of a four match preparation schedule ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The United States will also face Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte, while another friendly is expected to take place shortly before the tournament begins. No details yet available.

Pochettino’s squad is expected to conduct much of its preparation in Georgia, including training sessions at the federation’s new facility in Fayetteville before moving to other host cities.

Related stories

Liga MX

International week is here: When does Liga MX return?

MLS

Griezmann heads to the U.S.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.