USMNT Predicted to Fall to Spain in Quarterfinals of 2026 FIFA World Cup

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off on Thursday in Mexico. The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) begins their World Cup journey on Friday against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.

The USMNT has never won the World Cup, and the nation’s further run was in the inaugural 1930 tournament when the team finished in third place. Since then, the USMNT has not advanced beyond the quarterfinals.

ESPN’s Ryan O’Hanlon predicts that streak will remain the same in the 2026 World Cup. O’Hanlon predicted the outcome of every match in this year’s tournament and expects the USMNT to lose to Spain in the quarterfinals.

“This would be the best team the U.S. have played in a World Cup since 1994. Yes, they played eventual champions Germany in 2014, but that game ended up not even being a must-win for the Germans, who comfortably finished atop the group. It didn’t feel like a fully competitive game.

This game would — much like when the Americans matched up with Brazil in the round of 16 in 1994. Spain are just too organized and too talented,” O’Hanlon wrote.

Spain is a frontrunner to win the World Cup and the team O’Hanlon believes will win the tournament. Spain’s roster is headlined by teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, superstar midfielder Pedri.

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June 6, 2026; Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.; Spain’s Lamine Yamal during training. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Who Made USMNT’s 26-Man Roster?​

USMNT officially announced its 26-man roster on May 26 in New York City, and center back Tim Ream was named the team captain.

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May 26, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Tim Ream poses for photos during the United States men’s national team roster reveal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at The Rooftop at Pier 17. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

The Guardian released the roster the weekend before the official announcement:

(First-time World Cup selections indicated with an asterisk, caps and goals listed in parentheses)

Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady* (Chicago Fire, 0 caps/0 goals), Matt Freese* (New York City, 14/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, 53/0)

Defenders (10): Max Arfsten* (Columbus Crew, 18/1), Sergiño Dest (PSV, 37/2), Alex Freeman* (Villarreal, 15/2), Mark McKenzie* (Toulouse, 27/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC, 80/1), Chris Richards* (Crystal Palace, 36/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 52/4), Miles Robinson* (FC Cincinnati, 38/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 24/0), Auston Trusty* (Celtic, 6/0)

Midfielders (4): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth, 52/2), Sebastian Berhalter* (Vancouver Whitecaps, 11/1), Weston McKennie (Juventus, 64/12), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders, 45/0)

Attacking midfielders/wingers (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, 57/9), Christian Pulisic (Milan, 84/32), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 36/9), Malik Tillman* (Bayer Leverkusen, 28/3), Tim Weah (Marseille, 49/7), Alejandro Zendejas* (Club América, 13/2)

Strikers (3): Folarin Balogun* (AS Monaco, 25/8), Ricardo Pepi* (PSV, 35/13), Haji Wright (Coventry City, 20/7)

Photo Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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