USA's Christian Pulisic Embraces World Cup 'Pressure' Ahead of Tuneups

USMNT star says team is 'excited' for home World Cup despite high expectations

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:20am

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As the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada approaches, USMNT star Christian Pulisic says the team is feeling the intensity and pressure of preparing for the tournament on home soil. Pulisic and midfielder Weston McKennie discussed the team's mindset ahead of upcoming tuneup matches against powerhouses Belgium and Portugal, which will provide a stern test before the final 26-player roster is announced.

Why it matters

The USA is hosting the largest World Cup in history, with 48 teams competing across three countries. As one of the co-hosts, the USMNT faces high expectations to perform well on the global stage. These upcoming matches against top-ranked opponents will be a crucial gauge of the team's readiness and ability to compete at the highest level.

The details

The USMNT will play its final two World Cup tuneup matches, first against Belgium on Saturday and then against Portugal on Tuesday, both at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said he plans to use all 26 players in the two games, allowing up to 11 substitutions per team, as the squad deals with some injury concerns. Pulisic and McKennie expressed excitement about the challenge, saying the team embraces the pressure of hosting the World Cup.

  • The USMNT last convened in November 2025, when they routed Uruguay to finish the year unbeaten in five matches.
  • The team's World Cup opener against Paraguay is scheduled for June 12, 2026.

The players

Christian Pulisic

A veteran USMNT starter and star player who has won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and now plays for AC Milan.

Weston McKennie

A standout USMNT midfielder who discussed the team's excitement and embrace of the pressure of hosting the World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino

The USMNT head coach who plans to use all 26 players in the two tuneup matches to evaluate the squad before finalizing the World Cup roster.

Rudi Garcia

The head coach of the Belgian national team, who has agreed with Pochettino to allow up to 11 substitutions per team in the Saturday match.

Tyler Adams

A USMNT veteran who is currently missing the March tuneup matches due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“You can feel the intensity in the trainings. All the guys are wanting to really stake their claim, and they want to be on that World Cup roster. There's no doubt about it. Everyone wants to prove themselves.”

— Christian Pulisic, USMNT Star

“Hosting the World Cup on home soil comes with its pressures. But we're all competitors on the team. We all chose this lifestyle. We all chose to be professional soccer players, and being competitive — having pressure — is something that you live with day in and day out. So I don't think we really feel [much] pressure. I think we kind of invite that. We kind of like it, and we're just really excited.”

— Weston McKennie, USMNT Midfielder

“I wouldn't want to be in any other position. I'm so lucky. I feel privileged to be in this position. There's pressure. I feel it, yes, it's there, but it's nothing that I can't handle. We're going to attack it head on.”

— Christian Pulisic, USMNT Star

What’s next

The USMNT will face Belgium on Saturday, March 30 and Portugal on Tuesday, April 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. These matches will be the team's final tuneups before coach Mauricio Pochettino names the 26-player World Cup roster on April 15.

The takeaway

The USMNT players are embracing the pressure and excitement of hosting the 2026 World Cup, seeing it as an opportunity to compete at the highest level and prove they can be a force to be reckoned with on home soil. These upcoming matches against top-ranked opponents will be a crucial test of the team's readiness and ability to handle the spotlight as co-hosts of the largest World Cup in history.