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Former US men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard understands the team’s early success at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he doesn’t think they will be lifting any trophies at the end of the tournament.
In fact, Howard believes it is “impossible” for them to win the World Cup.
“The United States will not, frankly, win the World Cup,” he said on his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast alongside former USMNT teammate Landon Donovan. “The US is going to have to play the biggest game they’ve ever played…four games in a row. Round of 16, semifinals, semifinals, finals.
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Tim Howard, goalkeeper of the United States, plays during the match against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, on May 27, 2014. (Photos by Michael Burns/ISI/Getty Images)
“It’s really impossible for the US to win the World Cup. That’s a fact.”
Donovan, however, was more optimistic than the Hall of Fame goalie.
“Can we? Yes. Has this team proven they can beat a top team? No,” Donovan said. “If they play the way they play, they can compete with any team in this World Cup.
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So far, the USMNT has had a solid victory over Paraguay, a 4-1 victory that marked the most goals scored by Team USA in a World Cup game. After that, they followed it up with a 2-0 win over Australia last Friday to secure a place in the knockout round.
Donovan believes that Mauricio Pochettino’s team is growing, which could eventually help them make that Cinderella run.
United States goalkeeper Tim Howard stands on the field before the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Jamaica at Levi’s Stadium on July 26, 2017. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
“I’ve said this many times. Can you do it four times in a row? Can you do it in the round of 16, quarter, semi, final. That’s when it gets tough,” Donovan explained. “But the momentum goes, you never know.”
The USMNT still has one Group D match remaining, as they face Türkiye on Thursday, which will only affect who they will face in the new round of 32.
It is a new format for the World Cup, as they have increased the group from 32 to 48 teams now leading to 32 rounds instead of the usual 16 rounds. The top two teams from each group, along with the top eight third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout round.
Although the game is technically not about the US, Pochettino will be stressing the importance of continuing the momentum they have created throughout their first two games.
Christian Pulisic had an assist in the first half of the USMNT World Cup opener against Paraguay. (Photos by Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn)
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Also, the condition of Christian Pulisic, the team’s specialist midfielder who has been sidelined against Australia with a left calf injury, will again be put under the microscope going into the final group game. Considering that a place in the knockout stages is secured, it will be interesting to see if Pochettino decides to play it safe and sit Pulisic to ensure he is fit for the playoffs.
Can they make a run at those games and shock Howard with a run to the finals? Heaven has tried for this team that has made a statement so far.
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