United States Announces Pre-World Cup Friendlies
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has revealed four crucial friendly matches for the national team, as preparation for the World Cup. The news was confirmed this Tuesday, although one opponent is yet to be defined. The USMNT will face Belgium on March 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Three days later, the same stadium will host the match against Portugal. These two matches will be played in the last international window before coach Mauricio Pochettino announces the final list of players at the end of May. On May 31, the United States will play against an opponent yet to be determined in Charlotte, North Carolina. The choice of this opponent will depend on the World Cup draw, which will take place on December 5 in Washington, D.C. They will not face a team that finishes in their same group. The last friendly before the World Cup will be on June 6 against Germany in Chicago. Since Belgium, Germany and Portugal are in Pot 1, as is the United States, there is no possibility of them crossing paths in the group stage.The United States will face Belgium, who are seeking their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and are expected to feature star players like Kevin De Bruyne from Napoli and Thibaut Courtois from Real Madrid. The USMNT has a 1-5-0 (W-L-D) record against the “Red Devils”, including the 2014 World Cup round of 16 match, where Belgium won in extra time. Portugal, champion of the UEFA Nations League 2025, is led by Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in international football and five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The United States has a 2-2-3 record against the Portuguese, including the memorable 3-2 victory in the 2002 World Cup and a 2-2 draw in 2014. After the match in Charlotte, the United States will face Germany, four-time world champion, which has players like Kai Havertz from Arsenal and Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich. The USMNT has a record of 4-8-0 against Germany, including defeats in the World Cups of 1998, 2002 and 2014. The United States will begin its participation in the World Cup on June 12 in Inglewood, California, followed by a match in Seattle seven days later and will close the group stage on June 25 in Inglewood.“For us, this is a great opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the world. They are incredible matches for the players and for the fans,” said USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. “We are very happy to play in our new home in Atlanta and, of course, to compete in the great cities of Charlotte and Chicago before the World Cup.”
Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT coach
