Former USA coach Gregg Berhalter writes a touching World Cup note to his son Sebastian

Losing a monumental coaching position is brutal, but former USA head coach Gregg Berhalter has one way to keep supporting the team: his son.

Berhalter’s son, Sebastian Berhalter, is a midfielder for Team USA in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the former USA coach penned a heartfelt letter to his son that was released Tuesday.

Berhalter wrote in his note to Sebastian:

“The World Cup is one of those rare moments when the whole world stops and watches. It’s a beautiful scene, but it’s also a privilege, a privilege most will never know. Enjoy every second of it. Take in the anthem. Take in the pressure. Take in the joy of competing with your teammates and representing something bigger than yourself.

“Moments like this change your life forever.

“But no matter what happens on the field, I hope you’ll always remember this: I’m proud of you for who you are, not for what you’ve accomplished. You’ve stayed humble through it all. You’ve stayed grounded. You’ve stayed kind. And you’ve become an incredible young man.

“You’ve earned this. I love you.”

Berhalter also said he admires how his son has “never taken anything for granted” and expressed how the two “get to share an experience that very few fathers and sons ever will.”

As for the former USA coach, Berhalter, who played for Team USA, had two stints as the club’s head coach: 2018-22 and 2023-24. His contract expired after the 2022 World Cup, when Team USA was eliminated in the Round of 16, with the federation opting to have interim head coaches before bringing Berhalter back in June 2023.

With that said, Berhalter was let go after Team USA failed to advance past pool play in the 2024 Copa América; former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino was hired as Team USA’s new head coach in September 2024.

Berhalter has been the head coach of the Chicago Fire (MLS) since 2024.

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will be Sebastian Berhalter’s first time on a World Cup roster. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As for the younger Berhalter, the 25-year-old is in his fifth season with the Vancouver Whitecaps (2022-26) and seventh overall in MLS; he spent his 2020 rookie campaign with the Columbus Crew, who won the MLS Cup Championship in that year, and his second season with Austin FC (2021).

This season, Berhalter has registered six goals, four assists and converted a penalty kick. The Whitecaps sit atop the Western Conference at 10-2-2; The 2026 MLS season is currently on hiatus due to the World Cup, and the season will resume on July 16.

The World Cup march begins for Berhalter and Team USA on Friday night when it faces Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, California, which can be seen at 9:00 PM ET on FOX and streamed on the FOX One app.