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Five questions facing the USMNT as World Cup kickoff approaches
Come Friday, the USMNT's World Cup journey will begin. With the tournament just days away, ESPN answers the biggest questions facing the co-hosts.
Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images
American soccer still has a global stigma: Can the USMNT at this World Cup change that?
TOP HEADLINES
READY FOR THE GAMES TO BEGIN
Ian Darke's World Cup preview: Favorites, surprises to watch, Brazil to win?
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The World Cup is almost here! Time for the soccer to do the talking
WHO'S NO. 1?
Final World Cup Power Rankings before the tournament begins
Illustration by ESPN
World Cup Rank: The 50 best players in the 2026 tournament
MEN'S WORLD CUP WARM-UPS
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY SCOREBOARD
FIFA WORLD CUP TALK
Can Mbappé challenge Pele to become the best World Cup player of all time?
1:28
Has U.S. Soccer started looking for Pochettino's replacement?
0:56
2026 Women's International Friendly
Hayes: USWNT must be 'tougher' pre-Brazil rematch
Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images
REAL MADRID ELECTIONS
Forget Mourinho, star signings: Pérez's next big move could change Real Madrid forever
Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
TRANSFER TALK
Transfer rumors, news: Man United, City monitor Chelsea's Cucurella
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16 players who could use World Cup to get a big transfer in Europe
2027 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Top Headlines
- Real Madrid anger Atleti with $173M Álvarez bid
- SoFi workers' union avoids WC strike with deal
- Man Utd to face Milan, Pulisic in preseason game
- Mexico's Madrid-linked teen Mora stays at Tijuana
- Sources: Spurs in talks over $80M Savinho deal
- Sources: London City leading race to sign Putellas
- Martinez: Ronaldo not thinking of Portugal farewell
- Iran: FIFA pulled fans' World Cup ticket allotment
- 👀All you need to know about 48 World Cup teams
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USMNT at the World Cup
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Red, White & Clueless: The untold story of the 1994 U.S. World Cup team
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World Cup kit ranking: Which teams will look best in 2026?
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams, bringing a total of more than 100 kits! Here they all are, ranked from worst to first.
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Barcelona Keep or Dump: What must LaLiga champions address?
How can Barcelona navigate their financial restrictions to reach even greater heights? Gab Marcotti and Sam Marsden break it down.
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Premier League 2025-26 awards: Best game, worst transfer, best XI, more
The Premier League season is over! What did Bill Connelly love and hate about it? It's time to serve up his alternative prizes for the good and bad across the 2025-26 campaign.
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Premier League 2026-27 predictions: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, more
With Arsenal crowned Premier League champions in 2025-26, it's time to spin it forward: Will the Gunners add flair again? Can Chelsea contend? Will Arne Slot survive at Liverpool? Our writers make their predictions.
Legends chasing milestones
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Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the quest to score 1,000 goals, ESPN provides goal-by-goal analysis of the Portuguese superstar's quest.
- (Photo by Jaime SALDARRIAGA / AFP via Getty Images)
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami and Argentina.
