NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
All footballers around the globe dream of playing in the World Cup – it’s the ultimate chance for glory for generations to come.
But playing a World Cup in your home country is something else entirely, and that’s what the United States Men’s National Team will get to experience in a month when they kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
USMNT captain Tyler Adams got to experience his first World Cup in 2022 when he traveled to Qatar with his teammates and coaches. They had some success but eventually fell to the Netherlands in the round of 16.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Tyler Adams of the United States salutes fans after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match against the Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
It may not have been the result the USA wanted in Qatar, but now on home soil, Adams knows the entire team is ready to show off for all those who support them across the country.
There is more than enough patriotic pride to go around for this group.
SOCCER BIG BELIEVE US TEAMS CAN SHOCK WORLD AT UPCOMING WORLD CUP
“I think when we go up to a game and you see the Stars and Stripes and the red, white and blue — it just gets you in the patriotic mood,” Adams told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview, while also highlighting his work with Scotts ahead of the World Cup. “It is the honor of representing the country.
“Everybody really comes together, whether they watch football or they’ve never seen it before, there’s one thing about hosting an event in America. They always do it right. I can’t wait for our fans to show up.”
The USA will begin its World Cup journey in Los Angeles against Paraguay on June 12 to begin their Group D play. For some veterans like Adams, the pressure of the World Cup is something he has got used to by now. But as a team manager, he knows that those who are green for such games will need some advice.
Tyler Adams of the United States moves the ball during a match against Costa Rica at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on June 29, 2025. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
“You don’t want to get ahead of yourself,” he said. “I feel like since we were a little bit young and naive going into the first tournament, it was like, ‘Ah, what’s next? How do we get to the next stage?’ You can’t worry about it because it’s not in your control at the moment. It’s game by game, moment by moment, pass by pass where you can have an impact. I think for us it’s about focusing on the details of each game, but taking it one game at a time.”
Of course, all players want to enjoy the moment they play in a World Cup, whether it’s their first or last time on the pitch for the tournament. Admitting that it’s hard to do because of the attention to detail and heated competition, Adams told his teammates “it’s over in an instant.”
KATY PERRY TO HEADLINE 2026 FIFA World Cup OPENING CEREMONY AS FANS DEBATE WHETHER SHE’S THE RIGHT CHOICE
But there’s no doubting how special this one will be to those who represent the Stars and Stripes. They will play in Los Angeles and Seattle during their group stage matches, but will also advance to the elimination stage, which will take place in other cities across the United States
“I think it’s nice because we’ve played in both of those environments before and both of those cities have incredible fan bases just in sports in general,” Adams said of looking forward to seeing the American faithful in LA and Seattle. “So I think the support will be there. I hope it’s a USA-heavy crowd like it should be for a home World Cup. I’m just excited to play in front of friends and family.”
GROW YOUR GAME WITH SCOTTS
Speaking of growing the game, Scotts, North America’s leading lawn care brand, has partnered with Adams on its “Keep It Real” initiative, which aims to expand access to youth sports and green spaces, raising over $432,000 while partnering with “Every Kid Sports to help over 2,000 kids in 48 states.
Tyler Adams of the United States watches before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022. (Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
As part of the effort, Scotts and Adams, who highlight the value of natural grass in terms of safer play, helped restore natural grass pitches where the next generation can grow the game. One of them was even his home field.
“When they came to me with this idea and this initiative, it was pretty simple. I think one of the biggest things that I have to do as a professional athlete now is give back to my community. That being said, I’m giving back to my community with the partnership where we did a field day last summer and we’re restoring the field that I played on as a kid. It was pretty cool to come back to my brand and see that I have a supporter back and that I have a supporter back with an idea. Really, really grateful for that and the partnership. We’re starting to do really good things.
Watch 3 days of FIFA World Cup for free after 5/18 or before. Start your free trial or try it for free.
