Why is the United States a top World Cup seed? How Team USA will avoid the big guns
The host nation awaits Friday’s draw in Washington, hoping for a path that matches its growing ambition under Mauricio Pochettino.
United States soccer is about to learn its fate for the 2026 World Cup, which it will host for the second time and where it hopes to deliver its strongest showing yet under Mauricio Pochettino and a generation intent on making history.
That fate will be set this Friday in Washington, D.C., where Pochettino and his squad already know they will lead Group D thanks to their status as co-hosts with Mexico and Canada. For Team USA, the comfort going into the draw lies in sharing Pot 1 with the tournament’s superpowers, something that softens the early outlook.
Unlike past World Cups for the USMNT, this time the team will avoid the top 10 sides in the FIFA ranking during the group stage.
These are the rivals the USMNT will avoid in the World Cup draw
1- Argentina
2- Spain
3- France
4- England
5- Brazil
6- Portugal
7- Netherlands
8- Germany
9- Belgium
Join us from around 10 a.m. ET as our inimitable Joe Brennan builds up to the draw, and we find out the fate of all the nations involved.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.