Seth Jahn says the US men’s team is ‘unequivocally prepared’ ahead of the FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup kicks off today, with former US Soccer Federation Athletes’ Council member Seth Jahn discussing the tournament. Jahn emphasizes the American team’s home advantage and elite European talent and predicts a successful run. He highlights the unique fan excitement and anticipated support of the American Outlaws, which creates a powerful atmosphere for the games.
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For the first time in 32 years, the US men’s soccer team will play a World Cup game at home on Friday night.
The sport’s popularity in the US changed dramatically after the 1994 World Cup, largely due to the Stars and Stripes reaching the knockout round for the first time since 1934. It could be déjà vu this year (the New York Knicks were in the NBA Finals the last time the US hosted), as this year’s team is likely the best in recent memory.
Now, team legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard aren’t going so far as to say they want to win it all, but they certainly aren’t ruling out a “magical summer.”
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United States midfielder Landon Donovan celebrates with striker Jozy Altidore and goalkeeper Tim Howard after their 1-0 win in their 1-0 World Cup first round Group C match at the 2010 World Cup on June 23 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane, South Africa. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP)
“I’m not sure they’re capable of winning it. It’s probably reserved for about five teams in the world. But I think they can have a magical summer where they go on a run and they have magical moments, late goals, somebody becomes the darling of the team and they capture the attention of the media and the fans,” Howard recently told Pakinomist Digital.
“Obviously having a deep run will help the momentum, especially because it’s at home and more people will be watching just because it’s in America.”
Both Howard and Donovan agreed that winning the group is the bare minimum, and then knockout games can get interesting.
“That game against Senegal (a 3-2 USA win on May 31) was what a Round of 32 game could look like, maybe even a Round of 16 game. There were a lot of changes, it was hot, both teams haven’t been together long yet, so I’m not putting too much stock in the result,” said a cautiously optimistic Donovan. “I’m just saying that’s the type of opponent and the type of game you can get. We can absolutely win that game. And I’d say we’re favored in those kinds of games. Or at home if our team plays well…
American soccer icon Landon Donovan helps build excitement for a major international soccer tournament during an event at the Raising Canes flagship in Inglewood on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) ((Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images))
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“Then you get to the round of 16 and that’s where you get a Belgium, or a Portugal, or someone like that. And the challenge is as we saw a month and a half ago when they played Belgium and Portugal and they fought mightily. If the spirit and the effort is what it was against Senegal, we can absolutely beat those teams too. We won’t be favoured, but we certainly can’t be favoured, but we can’t be favoured.”
Howard said if the U.S. wants to make the quarterfinals, it will have to beat a “bully” in the round of 16.
“It’s easy on paper. A lot of things have to happen,” Howard warned.
But both former stars believe it is possible.
“I think this is a really talented team. Can they come together, all play their best football at the same time? We’ll see. But I think they have the potential to do it,” Howard said.
USA goalkeeper Tim Howard plays during a match against Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on May 27, 2014. (Michael Burns/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
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However, Donovan took it a small step forward.
“They’re capable of it. I expect a deep run into the tournament. I am.”
