ATLANTA – Fresh off the roster reveal event in New York City, the U.S. Men’s National Team arrived at U.S. Soccer’s new home in Atlanta, Ga. to commence training for two upcoming non-official matches and FIFA World Cup 2026.
The USMNT is the first senior national team to train at the new Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, which officially opened its doors earlier this month. The Federation has hosted several groups, including Extended National Teams for the annual ADAPTandTHRIVE invitational, though this week marks a significant first in the history of state-of-the-art facility, which USMNT players saw for the first time on Wednesday.
“Honestly, it’s unreal. My mind was blown,” fullback Max Arfsten said. “This is, by far, the best facility I’ve ever been to in my life. It’s amazing. The support from U.S. Soccer shows that they want us to succeed, so we’re going to do everything we can to repay that investment.”
The 26 players named to the U.S. roster for FIFA World Cup 2026 will be forever ingrained in history as part of the first senior National Team camp to train on U.S. Soccer-owned grass.
For defender Tim Ream, that aspect – and the fact that he’s still discovering new parts of the building – is his favorite part.
“Just having a space that’s ours,” he said. “When you have the flow from the locker room into the medical area into the recovery area, which is also connected to the gym, it’s set up incredibly well. You can step right outside all three of those areas and you’re right on the pitch.”
The city that hosts U.S. Soccer’s new home showed up in a big way to welcome the 26 players when they touched down Tuesday night. Players were greeted with emphatic applause in Trilith, Ga. as supporters carried forward the excitement that New York City's electric crowd kicked off earlier in the day.
And when the USMNT arrived at the facility for the first time, ahead of its first training since the announcement, U.S. Soccer staff lined the walkway to cheer them on.
“The new facility, training again with the team and seeing the staff, everything – it’s amazing to be here, and I’m excited for more,” midfielder Malik Tillman said.
The reception in Atlanta is just a slice of what’s to come this summer when the U.S. hosts the sport’s biggest tournament for the second time in history. Fans all around the country will be lifting scarves, singing chants and carrying a belief for these 26 players representing the Stars and Stripes as they look to make history on home soil.
Which is exactly the message USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino sent to his players during the team's introductory meeting:
“He reaffirmed that there’s only 26 of us, and we have the opportunity to go out there and make history, make everyone proud,” striker Folarin Balogun said. “He said, ‘That won’t be possible unless you guys are together.’ He was really firm on that. The primary thing for us is to stay together. It’s a good opportunity for us to show that in the two games coming up and then, of course, once the real thing starts.”
