Could the USMNT win the 2026 World Cup?
Swedish soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s answer was simple.
“Yes,” he said on the Fox postgame show Friday after being asked if the U.S. had a chance to win it all.
Ibrahimovic, who played professionally in Europe for over two decades, added that he believes the USMNT’s widespread support across the U.S. could propel them to the title.
“When you have this support it’s difficult to beat you,” Ibrahimović said. “That is what they need, and they just need to continue to bring confidence from game-to-game.”
“I said it before: Whatever happened before the World Cup is not as important as what happens now,” he added. “Now is the momentum they have. If you didn’t believe before, I will repeat: ‘Start believing.’ Have the country behind them.”
Despite entering this year’s World Cup as a long shot, the USMNT has turned heads with two commanding pool play wins over Paraguay and Australia.
The U.S. shone in its opening match with a 4-1 win over Paraguay last week, as the team had possession of the ball for 63 percent of the match.
Then, with star winger Christian Pulisic sidelined with a left calf injury, the U.S. followed up with a 2-0 shutout win over Australia on Friday.
Pulisic’s status remained up in the air until shortly before Friday’s match, with manager Mauricio Pochettino saying that he would be unavailable despite his recovery looking well.
“Christian is not available and the evolution is really well,” Pochettino told Fox. “Today was training in the morning in the training camp. I think the feelings are good. I hope as soon as possible he can be ready to be selected again and be part of the team.
“Now we need to be focused and be part of the team, the players that are going to play. We have a very important game. Australia’s gonna be really tough. But of course a little bit sad because he wanted to stay, he wanted to participate today. It’s still so early.”
Now holding the top spot in Group D, the USMNT is set to face off against Turkey on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.
