The FIFA men’s World Cup is the most popular tournament for the world’s most popular game. The 22nd edition kicks off in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2022. You know it’s a big deal, but do you know how the World Cup works?
The United States men’s national team only have four games left to play until the 2026 World Cup. That’s right, there are just four 2026 USMNT friendlies before the Stars and Stripes take on the planet’s best in the World Cup.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino will get to test his players against Europe’s elite next year with top European nations on the schedule.
Here’s a look at who the USMNT will face before the World Cup next summer.
2026 USMNT friendlies
Exact dates are still TBA.
The expanded 48-team World Cup for 2026 will be the biggest yet and include several newcomers on the world’s premier soccer stage. Here are the countries playing in their first World Cup at the 2026 edition.
For this list we’ll split countries into three different categories.
Let’s meet the new faces.
True newcomers
Lionel Messi shocked his fans over the weekend when he made a secret trip to Barcelona and posted a photo of himself in the club’s Camp Nou stadium. The Messi Barcelona trip wasn’t on anyone’s radar, not even the club’s, as the Inter Miami star visited the place he called home for decades.
Following his brace on Saturday during Inter Miami’s 4-0 playoff victory vs. Nashville SC, Messi and Rodrigo de Paul took a brief trip to Barcelona to see the progress on the Camp Nou which has been under construction for three years.
The United States men’s national team will be without star player Christian Pulisic for the upcoming November friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay. For fans asking why is Pulisic not playing for US? Here’s why.
Pulisic is still recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered while playing for the USMNT against Australia on Oct. 14. The U.S. national team and Pulisic’s club AC Milan have made an agreement to keep the 27-year-old forward in Italy for the November international window.
Why is Pulisic not playing for US in November friendlies
Over 1 million tickets sold during the first ticketing window for the 2026 World Cup, announced FIFA on Thursday. Millions of fans who applied for tickets during the Visa Presale Draw weren’t selected and will have to try again for the next window.
So, when might that be?
Next chance to buy World Cup tickets
FIFA and Adidas unveiled the official ball for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as the Trionda will grace the fields of the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer.
The design features imagery of the three host nations and the ball’s pattern looks similar to the Brazuca ball used in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup.
Trionda 2026 World Cup ball
A Tim Weah goal vs Real Madrid made history on Tuesday as the Marseille forward became the first American to score a Champions League goal at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid went on to win the game 2-1.
Weah opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for the French club following a quick counter attack. Real Madrid were dispossessed near midfield and Mason Greenwood found Weah for the goal.
Tim Weah goal vs Real Madrid
Lionel Messi is set to play his final World Cup qualifier in Argentina on Thursday, while four South American teams are still competing for the remaining automatic places at the 2026 tournament in what could be a dramatic climax.
The 38-year-old Argentina captain will take to the pitch at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires to face Venezuela in what he describes as a very special match, with his family set to be in attendance, including his wife, children, parents and siblings.
How to watch Messi's last World Cup qualifier in Argentina
Yamal is cooking on and off the pitch, ladies and gentlemen.
FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has sparked fresh headlines after seemingly going public with his new girlfriend.
The 18-year-old forward and Barça's new No. 10 has been linked to the 25-year-old music artist, Nicki Nicole, for several weeks, with rumors of their relationship first surfacing when she was said to have attended his 18th birthday party. She also attended the pre-season friendly match between Barcelona and Como 1907.