The United States men's national soccer team faces serious questions about their readiness for the 2026 World Cup, with former USMNT star Taylor Twellman delivering a stark warning that the current squad might not even qualify if they weren't automatic hosts.
As the nation counts down to the showpiece event that will be staged across North and Central America in summer 2026, with Canada and Mexico also co-hosting, concerns are mounting about the team's performance. Despite appointing former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino to lead what is considered an exciting squad featuring talents like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna, the team has suffered alarming setbacks.
Recent results have been particularly troubling. Following their Copa America humiliation in 2024, where they failed to advance beyond the group stage, the USMNT has endured humbling defeats to Panama and Canada in CONCACAF Nations League competition. These performances have triggered widespread criticism of both players and coaching staff.
Twellman didn't hold back in his social media assessment, writing: "Thankfully there are 48 teams and automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup because I'm not sure this @usmnt would qualify in the old format."
He continued by posing crucial questions about player motivation: "How many of the players HAVE to play well to further their career both in earnings and club stature?! Do they HAVE to play well for USMNT to improve their club situation on a daily basis?!"
The former international also questioned Pochettino's stake in the team's success: "How important is success to the manager?! If he fails will that follow him to his next job?! Does he have any pressure?!"
Twellman's concerns extended to organizational issues as well: "Does the federation know or understand what's wrong and how to fix it?! Has the dwindling attendance since 2018 at games caught their attention?! Has the sport grown in recent years?!"
He concluded by acknowledging the complexity of the situation: "These are things I'm thinking about and have been since 2018. I don't know if I know the answers either."
The USMNT will have a chance to rebuild confidence this summer when they compete in the Gold Cup tournament. With major silverware at stake, Pochettino's side desperately needs to show signs of improvement to win back a fanbase that has grown increasingly disgruntled with their performances.
As 2026 approaches, pressure continues to build on a team that was once expected to make a strong showing on home soil but now faces serious questions about their competitive readiness for the world stage.
