US men’s national soccer team kicks off World Cup run with big win
Dan Dakich analyzes the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s impressive 4-1 World Cup victory against Paraguay. He emphasizes the team’s speed and confidence, attributing it to many players’ experience at higher levels. This strong start positions the USA team well for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 showdown.
Heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, few pundits or fans were giving the U.S. Men’s National Team much of a chance.
To be clear, many predicted the team to have a solid showing, with several calling on them to make it out of the group stage.
Given the added pressure of being a host nation, it’s fair to think the team would have a good tournament, but no one actually believed that the United States could actually win the whole thing.
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United States’ Alex Freeman heads the ball for a goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Seattle on June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
After their convincing wins over Paraguay and Australia that sent them on to the knockout rounds, however, many are starting to readjust their expectations regarding the ceiling of this squad.
One of those pundits who is starting to rethink his stance on the Stars and Stripes is 12-time Swedish Player of the Year and FOX Soccer correspondent Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Ibrahimović is known for being a hard guy to impress, but after seeing the USMNT up close for two matches on the world’s biggest stage, the sensational Swedish striker is ready to believe.
While he isn’t known as a jokester normally, I had to rewind this clip three different times to make sure I heard him correctly.
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I didn’t think this USMNT had a shot in hell to even make it past the round of 16, but here’s a soccer legend telling us all it’s time to start taking this team seriously.
The way this team moves the ball and attacks looks completely unfamiliar to anything I’ve seen from them in past World Cups, and the talent is at a higher level than it’s ever been before.
Team USA celebrates a goal vs. Paraguay in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
With manager Mauricio Pochettino pulling the strings, it’s easy to see why folks like Zlatan are impressed with what they’ve seen.
Will America win the World Cup in 2026? I don’t know.
If I were a betting man, I would still side with the field, as there are plenty of quality teams in this tournament.
Sebastian Berhalter and Giovanni Reyna of the United States celebrate after their victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. (Jared C. Tilton/FIFA via Getty Images)
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But the fact that we are even talking about the USMNT having a chance at winning this tournament is a testament to just how far we’ve come as a soccer nation.
Zlatan is ready to believe, and you should be too.
