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In less than a year, the united states’ national football team competes in the World Cup as one of three host countries.
Eleven of the 16 host stadions are located in the United States, which will host the quarterfinals, the semi -finals and the final.
Usmnt has not had much success in the World Cup. The team reached the round of 16 in 2010 and 2014, but could once qualify for the tournament in 2018. It returned to the round 16 three years ago, but could not get out of the Copa América group at home last year.
After the 1994 World Cup in North America, football’s popularity in the United States shot, and Major League Soccer was born because of that. Now 32 years later, former USMNT player Taylor Twellman believes the future of sport’s popularity in the American rides on what the American team is doing in next year’s tournament.
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USA tip Taylor Twellman (20) drives the ball past El Salvador -Defender Julio Martinez (13 in the second half under Group B Competition in the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2007 at Gillette Stadium. (David Butler II/USA Today Sports)
Twellman is ready for Celebrity Golf American Century Championship next month, as he said is a “dream come true.” He said that more and more of his professional athlete friends “ask far more questions about football than was ever when I played,” especially at the famous charity event.
“It tells yourself that there is now suddenly more attention, far more attention, a little more education of what success is and what is not and an expectation level,” Twellman told Pakinomist Digital in a recent conversation.
“If the American men come to the quarterfinals of this World Cup, you’re talking about the real bottom swap of football in the United States of America and in North America really, really, really, at the head of everyone’s mind.
Television commentator Taylor Twellman before a match between New York Red Bulls and DC United in Red Bull Arena. (Mark Smith/USA Today Sports)
With the World Championship exactly 1 year out, usmnt Legends says that pressure is shown a notch
“And often times it’s not mentioned – the top four big sports in the country. Still, everyone looks at the numbers and says baseball, NHL. Everyone sweats a little with football just around the corner. This is where I think success in this World Cup, that’s where I think really could turn the corner if the men really have a great tournament.”
Twellman added that it would be a “massive failure” if the team doesn’t at least come to the knockout scene. The last time the United States participated in a World Cup and did not move past the group stage was 2006.
Eleven of the 16 host stadiums for next year’s tournament beginning on June 11, 2026, is in the United States. (FOX SPORTS)
“If they get out of the group and it’s a favorable draw, we’re probably talking, ‘You have to get to the quarterfinals as a host nation.’ But I think the draw depends on a lot of it, ”he said. “So there’s a lot to say about it. But I understand the level of urgent character. And I would say that the fear of the American men’s national team is in line with the growth of the sport in the country.”
