On the Pitch
Open Cup
On the Pitch
On the Pitch
On the Pitch
USMNT Confident Heading Into ‘Crunch Time’ of Knockouts
The U.S. Men’s National Team finished first in Group D and faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 of FIFA World Cup 2026
IRVINE, Calif. – Sunday officially ushered in a new, heightened stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 for the U.S. Men’s National Team plus the 31 other nations still alive in the competition.
Folarin Balogun of the United States talks to the media on Sunday, June 28 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
“It’s a knockout round, and if you want to win the World Cup, you have to beat everyone and be able to beat everyone, from Europe or Africa, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “We just want to win.”
According to Dest, the knockout rounds mean players must be sharp at all times. One play can change a game, as Canada showed with its stunning game-winner in second-half stoppage time which came from Stephen Eustáquio after a 90-minute scoreless deadlock against a stout South Africa defense – and one game can change the whole trajectory of the tournament.
“It gives you a little bit more pressure, but also a boost,” Dest said. “Even though, for example, sometimes you play against opponents that are better on paper, you just need a lucky day, so I feel like it's more pressure for everyone.”
Sergino Dest of the United States talks to the media on June 28, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The U.S. is riding a soaring wave of momentum following winning Group D and playing three matches at home venues on the West Coast in front of enthusiastic fans. Though the group stage ended for the U.S. in a last-gasp loss to Türkiye, Pochettino was positive in his post-match press conference. In finishing atop Group D, his team collected the most points in program history in a FIFA World Cup group stage. On Sunday, Balogun and Dest confirmed the team’s positive mindset, emphasizing the belief heading into the Round of 32 showdown with The Dragons.
“We’re very confident because we finished first in the group,” Dest said. “Everybody’s confident. We’re more experienced, we have better chemistry and we’re in a good head space. Everybody is concentrated. The whole country believes at the moment, so I think that’s our advantage.”
With the knockout rounds comes a shift – in venue, cadence, energy and seriousness. There are fewer days between matches and the team is on the road moving forward. But one thing that players are counting on to remain the same is the support from the American fans. Playing a FIFA World Cup on home soil, seeing Stars and Stripes jerseys pack the stadiums, adds energy. Full-house crowds at both Los Angeles Stadium and Seattle Stadium during the group stage have proven to be an advantage for a motivated home side.
“As the team grew, the fans did as well,” Dest said. “The support that we get, especially in the friendly games before the World Cup, and now during the World Cup, is huge. I like the change because it helps us a lot, gives us an extra boost in the game as well, and that's what we need. We all need to do it together. That’s how we can write history.”
But first, the next task at hand kicks off Wednesday. Behind the rallying cries of the U.S. soccer faithful, the USMNT’s next goal is clear and simple.
“We play on Wednesday, and the objective is to win,” Balogun said.
