The United State Men’s National Team (USMNT) has a legitimate chance to win the 2026 World Cup. Yes. You read that right. If I’m being honest, they have a chance to make it to the Top 8 in the next World Cup. Wont’ be easy of course, but it is realistic. This change didn’t just happen overnight. What we are seeing with the USMNT is a result of our domestic youth talent heading to Europe to train with the best in the world. And on top of that, thrive in those environments.
Yesterday, L’Equipe, a sports paper in France, released their top Under 20, players born after 2001, prospects in the world. Sitting at No. 5 is Giovanni “Gio” Reyna. An American talent who went to Europe at an early age to better develop. He was signed by Borussia Dortmund and recently made his debut for the first team, and is now a regular. Let me put this in perspective. A member of the USMNT is starting for one of the best clubs in the world and he’s not even 20. Pretty amazing.
Now the best about all of this is Reyna isn’t a singular tale. Christian Pulisic plays for Chelsea in England. Weston McKinnie plays for Juventus in Italy. Sergino Dest plays for Barcelona in Spain. What we are seeing with USMNT players excelling all over the world is unheard of. A credit to head coach Greg Berhalter for pushing young players to make the move across the pond when talent is recognized. Just this week, three players in the USMNT pool made moves to teams in Europe.
I say all this to say, this is the most exciting time in the history of the USMNT to date. Never have we seen such a wide array of world class, raw talent coming through the ranks. All signs are showing that if these trends continue, the USMNT could be a global powerhouse within the next decade.
Caleb Michael 