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Miles Robinson knows his worth as a center back and is confident he can make an impact on the USA Men’s National Team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Of course, it’s not up to Robinson to decide whether he’s worthy enough for this year’s American roster.
That’s the task for USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who will lead the Stars and Stripes to his first World Cup. But he knows what Robinson brings to the table as he was part of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster last summer.
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Miles Robinson of the United States men’s national team poses for a portrait in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 11, 2025. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Robinson won’t know his fate until May 26, but as he focuses on the present with his FC Cincinnati club this Major League Soccer season, he’s still thinking about what it might mean to be a part of his first career World Cup.
“It would mean so much. I think it’s one of those things where I saw myself, like, when I was seven, watching the World Cup or whatever. I almost dreamed that I could do it, but I never really believed it. Then, next thing you know, I’m actually playing for the national team and stuff,” he told Pakinomist Digital while highlighting his partnership with Bounty.
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“So for that to actually happen, it would be this whole full-circle moment where I want to make sure that I want to tell other kids that I really just believed in myself, and I think that’s the type of thought process that can take people a lot further than they can really imagine. It’s just that deep sense of belief in yourself and grounding yourself in love. It can really go a long way.”
Self-belief was tested for Robinson after he suffered a ruptured left Achilles in May 2022 – just a month before potentially taking part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He was widely expected to be a part of former head coach Gregg Berhalter’s roster, but during a game against the Chicago Fire, he suffered the injury that forced him out.
It was a tough time for Robinson, as you might expect. But it also pushed him down a path that forced mental and physical strength. Now he believes it made him a better player and person than ever before.
They were preparing for this World Cup moment four years later.
Miles Robinson of the United States arrives to participate in a USMNT training session at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta, Ga., on March 25, 2026. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
“I think in the difficult moments you learn the most about yourself,” he explained. “I definitely learned a lot about just kind of overcoming struggles, on and off the field. I think it was a tough moment for me, but I grounded myself in gratitude and being so thankful for my friends and family that supported me and my teammates that wanted good things for me and my leg and stuff.
“Then I recognized that it was me versus me. It’s not about anything else. I just wanted to continue to get better and improve just for me instead of anything else or anyone else. That’s when I definitely took the next step in my career and my development as a player and as a person.”
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Healthy and hungry, Robinson is banking on that USMNT roster, but he also knows how to stay in the moment until May 26. That includes focusing on FC Cincinnati’s game against Inter Miami, the team that knocked them out of last year’s MLS Playoffs, on Wednesday night at home.
“Every game is an opportunity to show yourself, but also to get better and improve. For Miami and Cincinnati, Miami kicked us out of the playoffs last year, so it left a little bit of a bitter taste in our mouths,” he said. “For us it’s about focusing on how we play, how we press and if we do that it should be a great game. In the back of our minds it’s the future but we’re trying to focus on the present.”
While Robinson and the rest of the USMNT hopefuls focus on the present with their respective clubs, they also sit in suspense just like the rest of soccer fans, hoping to hear their names called to represent their country in the biggest tournament in the world.
“I’m just grateful to be in this situation, potentially on the roster,” Robinson admitted. “I’m just trying to slide. I’m healthy. In general, I’m just thankful and I’m definitely excited because I know this summer is going to be great.”
Miles Robinson of the United States looks for a pass during an international friendly soccer match against Turkey at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Conn., on June 7, 2025. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
CLEAN UP WITH BUNTY
One way Robinson can take his mind off the potential USMNT roster is by barbecuing in his spare time on his Cincinnati deck. It’s his passion to whip up some grub for his teammates, friends and family, but the more people that come, the greater the chance of something going wrong.
Robinson teamed up with Bounty, the American paper towel brand, to preach the right way to clean up messes, whether at home or tailgating before a game.
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“The biggest mess I’ve probably ever cleaned up, recently I was barbecuing on my deck and I had a drink that spilled and there was glass and drink everywhere,” he revealed. “Happily I got the Bounty and one sheet took it all away. It was honestly good.
“Sometimes I have to clean up some mistakes from my teammates and Bounty connected with this sponsorship so I’m proud to be a part of them because they always clean up messes too.”
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