The USA national team is back in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after reaching the knockout rounds in Qatar three years ago, but Mauricio Pochettino and his soccer team will be hoping to make a deeper run this time around on home soil in the first-ever expanded tournament that features 48 countries from around

Friday's draw from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., determined the 12 groups for next summer's 48-team soccer extravaganza. We now know which teams will stand in the way of the U.S. men's national team. We know who Lionel Messi and Argentina will first take on to repeat as champions.

In the buildup to the World Cup, the U.S. will play two friendlies in March, against Portugal and Belgium in Atlanta. They will then play two more tune-up matches on May 31 in Charlotte (against a to-be-determined opponent) and June 6 in Chicago (against Germany) as they prepare for their June 12 opener.

The last time the United States hosted the World Cup, U.S. Soccer built on the the financial infusion and the public’s excitement to help launch Major League Soccer.

With teams like Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands scheduled to play in Houston next summer, fans are thrilled.

U.S. Soccer legend Miam Hamm said that while "many prefer to focus on what separates us,” soccer is poised to unite people during the 2026 World Cup.

As the world descends on the USA, Canada and Mexico, it's time to fire up the age-old debate of what to call the beautiful game