'It means something to me' - USMNT and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream reflects on potential final World Cup on home soil

Charlotte FC star Tim Ream discussed the profound significance of potentially representing the United States at the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The veteran defender reflected on how participating would create a poetic symmetry in his soccer journey, connecting his earliest World Cup memories as a young fan during the 1994 tournament to potentially concluding his career in the 2026 edition.

“I mean, for me, we go back to earliest memories, my earliest memories is 94, which we hosted,” Ream said on the U.S. Soccer podcast. “And now, my last involvement, potentially, would be one that we get to host, a poetic full circle. Crazy how that has kind of has kind of worked out, but for me, it's the same every time I get that email or that phone call.

“It's like it means something to me, and it's going to be the biggest World Cup ever, and it's on our home soil, and I think we all understand and grasp how major it really is. And I think that's important for all of us, not just the older players who understand perspective and get it."

Ream expressed confidence that the entire squad comprehends the magnitude of the upcoming tournament and believes that they need to embrace that going forward.

“It's you know, more than likely none of the guys who are going to be on that squad next year will experience another home World Cup," Ream explained. "They really won't. And so, I think for us, it's, you know, I think we realize that the gravity of, of how big it is, and it's just about embracing it, you can't worry about whether, you know, there's more pressure, there's less pressure, who you're playing against, what you're doing.

“It's just about embracing each and every game in each and every moment, and um, I'm excited for it...It would be the most exciting moment in my career. And the culmination of you know, well, it'll be 17 hard years professionally. And then everything before that all coming to uh, to the top.”

The USMNT face the rare privilege and pressure of hosting the sport's biggest tournament. Ream highlighted that awareness of this unique opportunity extends beyond just the veteran players to include the entire player pool. At 38 years old in 2026, Ream would be among the oldest players to represent the United States at a World Cup if selected.

Following their win over Japan, the USMNT will regroup to face Ecuador and Australia during the October international break.