Analysis

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.

For the next few weeks, the U.S. will be based in Orange County, but the process of getting them there took years

Thomas Tuchel has no shortage of world-class talent to choose from within England's squad for the 2026 World Cup. But while the presence of players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice mean that the Tuchel's team are among the favourites, it's worth imagining a world where every England-eligible player at the tournament opted to represent the Three Lions.

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.

The U.S. responded well to going 1-0 down against Germany, but settled for little more than a hard-working loss against a better opponent - an eerily familiar outcome.

Throughout the last few years, American soccer has routinely pleaded with Christian Pulisic to acknowledge reality. The question has come in different forms, but it has always circled the same idea: Does he feel the weight of being the face of the U.S. men's national team heading into a home World Cup?

We are now just days away, and World Cup fever is gripping the globe as teams from 48 countries descend on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest tournament FIFA have ever staged. Managers are making their final plans ahead of the opening round of group games, but for some there are still massive decisions to be made.

Harry Kane will never have a better chance than this. England's captain arrives at what is likely to be his last-ever World Cup in the form of his life, and he will carry the hopes of a nation in North America. After collective and individual heartbreak in 2018 and 2022, respectively, this simply has to be the tournament where he seizes his moment.

Canada's World Cup tuneups are complete, but concerns remain. GOAL examines Moïse Bombito's injury setback and the key issues facing Jesse Marsch's side.

A convincing win over Senegal, followed by a spirited defeat to Germany have the USMNT with a clearer idea of who they are ahead of the World Cup

GOAL breaks down who boosted their case, who still has questions to answer, and what Mauricio Pochettino may have learned from the USMNT's final pre-World Cup friendlies.

It's strange that there isn't more hype around Kylian Mbappe as the days tick down to the 2026 World Cup getting underway, but you can probably put that down to what was a largely forgettable club season with Real Madrid. He will be mightily relieved to be away from the cauldron that is the Bernabeu having become persona non grata during the run-in, shifting his focus to making history with France in North America.

The USMNT fell short against Germany in their final pre-World Cup tune-up, but Mauricio Pochettino still saw signs of progress as Antonee Robinson delivered a stunning goal, Malik Tillman impressed in a deeper role, and Miles Robinson endured another difficult outing.

Brazil are in a bad way. We know this because Neymar's fitness has been a topic of national debate for the past few months. Believe it or not, there are a significant number of Brazilians that believe that the Selecao has no chance of winning this summer's World Cup without a 34-year-old forward who has neither been fit nor good enough to play for his country since 2023.

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways from the team's pre-Germany preparation in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.

USWNT face Brazil in São Paulo as the Olympic rivals meet again in a key World Cup qualifying tuneup. GOAL breaks down the biggest storylines ahead of kickoff.

Fresh off a win over Senegal, the USMNT face their toughest pre-World Cup test yet against Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Germany. GOAL breaks down five key storylines.

"Who else?!" Those were the words of Jude Bellingham as he careened away in celebration after his quite remarkable bicycle kick had drawn England level in the 95th minute of their Euro 2024 round-of-16 game against Slovakia. The Three Lions had been terrible up to that point, but Bellingham’s heroic moment had kept them alive, continuing a season where he had been the difference-maker for Real Madrid again and again.

Liverpool have a new manager. Just over a year after Arne Slot led the Reds to a record-equalling 20th English championship, the Dutchman has been replaced in the dugout by Andoni Iraola. The change of coach has already lifted spirits around Anfield after a disastrous Premier League title defence that featured 12 defeats, while Liverpool were also hammered at home by Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, humiliated by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals and swept aside by Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight of the Champions League.

GOAL sat down with Gio Reyna to discuss his reputation, his growth since Qatar and why this World Cup gives him the chance to change the story around him.

Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was never short of a good quote, but one of his best offered an insight as to how exactly a football team should be run: "A football team is like a piano - you need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing." It’s a punchy line, and in modern-day international football, it rings painfully true.

Erling Haaland has openly embraced his reputation as the footballing equivalent of The Terminator. A few years ago, he even wished all of his followers on social media a 'Happy Haalandween' by sharing an image of himself portrayed as half-man and half-goal-scoring machine. However, to think of Haaland solely as a stone-cold killer in front of goal does a disservice to an emotional and colourful character who has never wanted anything but the best for his native Norway.

El Manawy will head to his fourth World Cup this summer, and after taking on an ambitious journey in 2022, his goals for next month are loftier.

GOAL spoke with the Chicago Fire boss about his plans for this summer, his connection with the team and his memories of 2022

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways from camp in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.

It's September 13, 2024, and Mauricio Pochettino is all smiles. Dressed in a blue suit with a big U.S. Soccer pin on the lapel, Pochettino is being introduced to the wild world of American soccer for the very first time. Flanked by his new bosses, Pochettino seems determined to make the right first impression; in America, first impressions are generally best made by being bold.

Javier Aguirre’s Mexico roster mixes history, trust, and risk, with Guillermo Ochoa chasing a sixth World Cup and German Berterame left out despite a late push.

A big 3-2 win over Senegal showed that the USMNT might just be ready for bigger games - and are prepared for the World Cup.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni included Lionel Messi in his 2026 World Cup squad on Thursday, even though his captain isn't "fully fit". Of course, neither revelation was particularly surprising. Messi was widely expected to be a part of his the Albiceleste's title defence - just as it was always unlikely that he'd been in optimal physical condition.