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The US men’s soccer team’s run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on a low note, but the United States Soccer Federation feels incredibly grateful for the support the team received during the Round of 16 run.
A day after its elimination from the World Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation released a statement in English and Spanish thanking American fans for their support during the tournament.
“When we asked, ‘why not us?’ you answered,” the association wrote. “You packed stadiums. You brought the game into your homes, bars, parks and communities across the country. Every time our players stepped onto the field, they carried your support with them. Wearing the badge is a privilege and hearing your voices throughout this tournament is something we will never forget.”
The tournament, which marked the first men’s World Cup to be played in the United States since 1994, saw one of the three host nations have one of its best ever World Cup runs. The United States won three games in a men’s World Cup for the first time in its confederation’s history, as the Americans also won Group D before their Round of 16 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Still, the USA’s tournament ended in an all-too-familiar fashion. With its 4-1 loss to Belgium, it marked the third straight appearance the US men’s soccer team has lost in the Round of 16 at the World Cup. As a result, the United States is still looking to reach the quarterfinals at the men’s World Cup for the first time since 2002.
Therefore, the association’s statement also focused on the future development of the roster and the national program that it looks forward to.
“We’ll learn from this,” the federation wrote. “We’ll get better at competing with the world’s best. And we’ll keep doing the work because that’s what this team and this country expect of us.”
But America’s run also brought record enthusiasm for soccer across the country. While the statement noted the high turnout at stadiums, viewing parties and public spaces throughout the tournament, viewership for the team’s games on FOX also set records.
The enthusiasm of the fans also helped them build a unique bond with the team. And what better way for the federation to end its statement with a text that built a bond between the fans and the team? The statement ended with a nod to the team song this tournament:
“Country roads, take us home. See you there.”
