USMNT 2026: Friendlies & World Cup Group Stage Recap

The United States Men's National Team navigated a challenging 2026 schedule, mixing friendlies against top-tier European opposition with World Cup group stage matches. The team recorded victories against Senegal and during the World Cup group stage, while also suffering defeats to Belgium, Portugal, and Turkey in both exhibition and tournament play.

March 2026 Friendlies: Belgium and Portugal

Match 1: Belgium 5-2 USMNT

March 28, 2026 — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | Attendance: 72,297

Belgium scored three goals within the first 22 minutes of the second half.

U.S. Goal Scorers:

• Weston McKennie (39', assisted by Johnny Cardoso & Antonee Robinson)
• Patrick Agyemang (87')

Belgium Goal Scorers:

• Zeno Debast (45')
• Amadou Onana (52')
• Charles De Ketelaere (penalty, 59')
• Dodi Lukebakio (68', 82')

Match Details:

• US goalkeeper Matt Turner made his first appearance since November 2024.
• The US was without midfielders Tyler Adams and Diego Luna, right back Sergiño Dest, and forward Haji Wright. Defenders Chris Richards and Miles Robinson were sidelined with injuries.
• Belgium played without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and forward Romelu Lukaku.
• Both teams were permitted to use up to 11 substitutions.

Notable Incidents:

• Mandatory hydration breaks were implemented to replicate World Cup conditions.
• A kit clash occurred, as both teams wore similar lighter-colored kits. US Soccer stated they had informed the Belgian federation of their kit choice, which was approved by match officials. No alternate uniforms were available.

Match 2: Portugal 2-0 USMNT

Date: Later in the same window | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Portugal Goal Scorers:

• Francisco Trincão (37')
• João Félix (second half)

Match Details:

• US head coach Mauricio Pochettino made several lineup changes from the Belgium match.
• Matt Freese started in goal for Matt Turner.
• The central defense paired Chris Richards and Auston Trusty.
• Christian Pulisic played as a central striker.
• Portugal was ranked sixth globally by FIFA at the time.

Post-Match Comments:

• Pochettino stated that approximately 35-40 players were being considered for the 26 available World Cup roster spots.
• He described the selection process as challenging but noted the team competed against two FIFA top-10 ranked opponents.

Pre-World Cup Send-Off Series

USMNT 3-2 Senegal

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina | Attendance: 57,741

U.S. Goal Scorers:

• Sergiño Dest (assisted by Christian Pulisic)
• Christian Pulisic
• Folarin Balogun

Senegal Goal Scorers: Sadio Mané (2)

Pulisic assisted the opening goal in the 19th minute and scored later in the first half, ending a nearly six-month goalless streak.

Match Notes:

• The US made wholesale substitutions at halftime.
• Goalkeeper Matt Turner started; Zack Steffen was not used.
• Midfielder Gio Reyna made his first start since November 2025.

Friendly: USMNT vs. Germany — June 6, 2026

Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL | Coca-Cola Send-Off Match

Starting XI:

• Matt Freese (GK), Sergiño Dest, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream (capt.), Antonee Robinson
• Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman
• Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Alex Freeman
• Chris Richards was not dressed.

Friendly: USMNT vs. Paraguay — June 12, 2026

Location: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, CA

Starting XI:

• Matt Freese (GK)
• Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson
• Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream (Capt.), Alex Freeman, Malik Tillman
• Folarin Balogun

2026 FIFA World Cup — Group D

Group D: USMNT vs. Australia — June 19, 2026

Location: Seattle Stadium, Seattle, WA

Starting XI:

• Matt Freese (GK), Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson
• Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Ream (Capt.), Alex Freeman, Malik Tillman
• Folarin Balogun
• Christian Pulisic was not dressed.

Group D: USMNT vs. Türkiye — June 25, 2026

Location: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, CA

Starting XI:

• Matt Turner (GK), Auston Trusty, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie (Capt.), Ricardo Pepi
• Brenden Aaronson, Miles Robinson, Sebastian Berhalter, Tim Weah, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally
• Cristian Roldan was not dressed.

Group D: USMNT 2-3 Turkey — Final Group Stage Match

The team finished top of its group with 6 points.

This article has been reformatted for readability without altering any factual content or neutral tone.