US Plans Four Friendlies Before Hosting 2026 World Cup

The U.S. men’s national soccer team is preparing a strong plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played on home soil. According to reports, the team will play four friendly matches in 2026 to help the players get ready and build confidence before the tournament begins. These friendly matches will give the team a chance to test their style, improve teamwork and face strong international opponents.

The first two matches are expected to take place in March 2026 in Atlanta, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The U.S. team is reportedly set to play against Belgium and Portugal. Both teams recently qualified for the World Cup and do not need to play in next year’s European playoff, which makes them available for these friendly matches. Playing against two powerful European teams will help the U.S. understand the level of competition they will face in the World Cup.

The remaining two friendly matches will be played after the U.S. announces its final 26-man World Cup squad in late May 2026. These matches are scheduled just before the start of the tournament, allowing the team to build match rhythm and finalize tactics. One of these games will be held in an East Coast city, with Charlotte, North Carolina, reported as the leading location. The opponent for this match will be chosen after the World Cup draw on December 5, which will decide all 12 groups for the tournament.

Germany is expected to travel to Chicago to play the final friendly match before the World Cup. This will be another important test for the U.S. because Germany is known for its strong football history and competitive football style. Facing a team like Germany will help the U.S. measure their strength and identify areas that need improvement.

The U.S. team will begin its pre-World Cup training camp on May 27, 2026. The camp will be held at U.S. Soccer’s national training center in the Atlanta area. After completing the friendly matches, the team will move its training base to Southern California. This shift will help the players adjust to different weather conditions and prepare for their opening World Cup match, which will be held on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, near Los Angeles.

The U.S. is placed in Group D for the 2026 World Cup. After playing their first match on June 12, they will travel to Seattle to play their second match on June 19 at Lumen Field. Their third group-stage match will take place on June 25, once again at SoFi Stadium. These group matches will decide whether the U.S. team will advance to the knockout stage.

Although Canada and Mexico are co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup, the majority of the matches will be played across 11 cities in the United States. The final of the tournament is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Hosting the World Cup gives the U.S. team automatic qualification, along with Canada and Mexico.

The U.S. has recently shown good form. The team defeated Uruguay 5–1 on Tuesday and beat Paraguay 2–1 on Saturday. These two matches were the final friendlies of 2025 and helped end the year on a strong note. With these results, the team is building confidence as they prepare for the major challenge of the World Cup.

The four upcoming friendly matches in 2026, combined with training camps and strategic preparation, show that the U.S. team is serious about performing well in the World Cup. With strong opponents and home support, the U.S. hopes to achieve one of its best World Cup performances in history.