Folarin Balogun knew what he wanted from his World Cup debut. He got so much more. The Brooklyn-born, London-bred striker scored two fine goals, had a third wiped away, and with better fortune might have scored a few more as the United States eviscerated Paraguay in Friday evening’s Group D opener, making for what he […]
Soccer America Confidential
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MLS’s most important World Cup 2026 players
The 2026 World Cup kicks off today! A record 45 Major League Soccer players have made the squads and will represent their nations at this summer’s tournament, the biggest event in sports. Here at SoccerAmerica, we’re breaking down the ones who are most crucial to their squads. Lionel Messi (Argentina) Obviously. The 2022 World Cup […]
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Televised soccer turbocharged by World Cup 2026
With this summer’s World Cup comes an unprecedented amount of soccer on American television — in English and Spanish. The majority of the games will be available on broadcast channels: 70 on FOX and 92 on Telemundo. Below is a breakdown of the coverage by various outlets including streaming options, and a link to the […]
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The USA opens against a Paraguay revived by its Argentine coach
The 2026 World Cup’s first game on U.S. soil pits Argentine coaches against each other when the USA faces Paraguay on Friday night. Mauricio Pochettino took charge of the USA, an automatic qualifier as host, in September of 2024. How the 54-year-old will be rated among USMNT coaches will be determined in the next few […]
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Soccer America’s predictions for all 104 games: Vivent Les Bleus!
The biggest, longest, mostest World Cup in history kicks off Thursday, with Mexico facing South Africa in an Azteca opener, the start to a mountain of clashes that’s going to keep a lot of us from getting anything done over the next six weeks. We start here on Friday, with the United States taking on […]
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Philadelphia hosts unique USA vs. England amateur cup amid World Cup 2026 and America250 celebrations
On June 26, West Chester United meets Arthurian League. The first-ever Trans-Atlantic Cup features the amateur champions of both countries.
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Tab Ramos believes U.S. talent can fuel a deep World Cup run. But has the program progressed in four years?
“The big question to ask: Are we better off today than we were when we left Qatar four years ago after losing to the Netherlands, 3-1?”
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Chicago captures the World Cup spirit, boosting both Germany and the USMNT
Chicago hosted five 1994 World Cup games, including its opening game. But it withdrew from 2026 World Cup bidding in 2018 when then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Chicago would not write FIFA a “blank check.” And yet it felt like the World Cup in Chicago this weekend when the USA hosted Germany in their final test […]
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Ahead of the USA-Germany showdown in Chicago, the Berhalters recall life in Munich
The USA’s final practice before its final World Cup warmup game — against Germany on Saturday at Soldier Field — took place at the Chicago Fire’s training facility. The Fire is coached by Gregg Berhalter, who coached the USA at the 2022 World Cup and was replaced by Mauricio Pochettino in 2024. Berhalter was there […]
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The Marcelo Balboa interview
The most celebrated moment in Marcelo Balboa’s legendary U.S. national team career was a misfire, an audacious bicycle kick that sailed just wide of the left post in the Yanks’ Rose Bowl upset of Colombia the first time the World Cup traveled to our shores. It led, thanks to Philip Anschutz’s enthusiasm for it, to […]