"Friday's World Cup Draw placed the United States (USMNT) in as favorable a group as you'll find in the new-look, 48-nation competition. England has to open against Croatia in Group L, Brazil starts its tournament against Morocco in Group C, Spain wraps up Group H play against Uruguay. The US has 26th-ranked Australia, 39th-ranked Paraguay, and the winner of a European play-off between Turkyie, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo."
"However, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino is pumping the brakes, especially for a nation that has not come close to reaching the pinnacle of legitimate contention for a World Cup title. Maybe if you're Argentina and you're the best team and the last winner of the World Cup, maybe you can think, OK, this is the group stage, after, what is going to happen?' the Argentinian said. But with USA? Our first game is the final of the World Cup."
The United States was drawn into a favorable 2026 World Cup group that includes 26th-ranked Australia, 39th-ranked Paraguay and the winner of a European play-off among Turkyie, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo. Host nation status and a manageable group have increased expectations for the USMNT. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino has urged caution about viewing group games as easy, stressing perspective on World Cup contention. The US has shown improved form since Pochettino's September 2024 arrival, defeating Japan 2-0, drawing 1-1 with Ecuador, and beating Australia and Paraguay 2-1. A 5-1 win over Uruguay highlighted attacking progress and growing momentum.
Read at www.amny.com
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