USMNT Prepares for World Cup with March Friendlies

Roster decisions highlight team's depth ahead of home tournament

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:52pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a USMNT soccer match, with overlapping planes of red, white, and blue representing the team's dynamic play.The USMNT's March friendlies offer a cubist preview of the team's tactical versatility ahead of the World Cup.Los Angeles Today

The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) played its first matches of 2026 as they prepare to host their first World Cup since 1994. With four matches before their opening World Cup contest against Paraguay in Los Angeles, head coach Mauricio Pochettino had the opportunity to evaluate his squad's depth and make key roster decisions.

Why it matters

As the USMNT gears up to compete on the world's biggest stage in their home country, these March friendlies allow Pochettino to finalize his World Cup roster and tactics, while also generating excitement and momentum among American soccer fans ahead of the tournament.

The details

The USMNT will use the March friendlies to fine-tune its lineup and strategies before the World Cup kicks off. Pochettino is expected to experiment with different player combinations and formations to determine his optimal starting XI and substitution patterns.

  • The USMNT played its first matches of 2026 in March.
  • The team has four matches before their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 14 in Los Angeles.

The players

Mauricio Pochettino

The head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team, tasked with leading the squad in their home World Cup.

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What’s next

The USMNT will continue their World Cup preparations with additional friendlies in April and May before finalizing their 23-man roster for the tournament.

The takeaway

These March friendlies represent a crucial opportunity for the USMNT to build momentum and chemistry ahead of hosting the World Cup, as Pochettino works to assemble the optimal squad and tactics to give the U.S. the best chance of success on the global stage.