The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) begins its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Friday, June 12, as the tournament returns to the United States for the first time in 32 years. The U.S. Is placed in Group D and is scheduled to face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, at 9 p.m. ET. Subsequent group matches include a game against Australia in Seattle on June 17 and a match against Turkey in Inglewood on June 25. The team’s current leadership is the result of a significant financial and strategic shift by U.S. Soccer. Following the firing of head coach Gregg Berhalter in 2024, the federation sought a high-profile successor, eventually hiring Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino. The deal, which pays Pochettino several million dollars annually, was supported by a “philanthropic leadership gift” from hedge fund CEO Kenneth C. Griffin and additional support from Scott Goodwin, co-founder of Diameter Capital, along with various commercial partners. U.S. Soccer stated that without these private investments, the hire “absolutely” would not have occurred. Pochettino’s tenure has been characterized by a “teardown-to-buildup” approach. While he faced criticism for consecutive losses to Panama and Canada in March 2025, his team later secured a 5-1 victory over Uruguay in November 2024. U.S. Soccer officials noted that hiring a coach with experience in high-pressure environments was intended to inspire belief that the U.S. Can be a “real soccer nation.” The tournament, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, has been marked by logistical and financial tensions between FIFA and the 11 U.S. Host cities. Host cities are responsible for costs related to transportation, safety, and security, while FIFA retains the majority of revenue from media rights and sponsorships. Some cities have expressed frustration over these costs, leading 21 U.S. Cities to sign a letter warning that they would not sign for the 2031 Women’s World Cup without “meaningful negotiation of key terms.”