Having the 2026 World Cup final played in New Jersey holds a special significance for United States coach Gregg Berhalter. Growing up close to MetLife Stadium, the venue that will host the championship match of the expanded 48-nation, 104-game tournament, adds an extra layer of motivation for him. In a recent interview, Berhalter expressed his excitement at the prospect of potentially playing just 15 minutes away from where he grew up in a World Cup final. He described it as a dream come true and reiterated the team’s desire to make the country proud.
FIFA awarded the July 19 final to MetLife Stadium, the home of the NFL’s New York Jets and Giants, which opened its doors in 2010. This final will mark the culmination of the first-ever World Cup tournament spread across three nations, with Mexico and Canada also hosting matches. The U.S. team is set to train at their national training center in suburban Atlanta ahead of the World Cup and will play their opening match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12. The Americans will play subsequent matches in Seattle at Lumen Field and return to SoFi Stadium to conclude the group stage on June 25. Berhalter expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and anticipated strong home support during the tournament.
Despite a history that includes reaching the semifinals in the inaugural World Cup in 1930, the U.S. has only advanced to the quarterfinals once, in 2002. Berhalter, who was part of the team that reached the quarterfinals in 2002, highlighted the promising core of young players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams as key components for success in 2026. Drawing inspiration from Morocco’s impressive run to the semifinals in a previous World Cup, Berhalter emphasized the importance of aiming high and showcasing the diversity of the American team. He expressed the desire for fans to see themselves reflected in the team’s composition and style of play.
As hosts of the 2026 World Cup, the United States will not participate in World Cup qualifiers. Instead, the team has a busy year ahead with commitments in two upcoming tournaments: the Concacaf Nations League and the Copa América, both of which will be hosted at home. The U.S. is the defending champions of the Concacaf competition and is scheduled to face Jamaica in the semifinals on March 21. Meanwhile, at the Copa América, they will compete against Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay in the group stage. Berhalter confirmed that Sergiño Dest will be included in the roster for the Nations League despite a suspension for an earlier match.
Looking ahead, Berhalter emphasized the importance of ongoing development for the team. While acknowledging the significance of World Cup qualifiers, he expressed confidence in the team’s progress and the opportunities presented by the upcoming tournaments. With a focus on growth and cohesion within the squad, Berhalter remains optimistic about the team’s prospects in the years leading up to the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey.
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