U.S. Men's National Team Could Have 'Nightmare' World Cup Scenario

The U.S. men's national team is hoping to make a run in the 2026 World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America, is set to get underway in June. The American men, who missed the 2022 World Cup, will look to impress and make a run during the tournament.

However, former U.S. men's national team star Clint Dempsey believes that a "nightmare" scenario could happen for the American team.

Dempsey, one of the best players in U.S. history, is warning Mauricio Pochettino's group of a potential "nightmare" scenario awaiting them at this summer's FIFA World Cup.

The 48-team, 104-game tournament will kick off in Mexico City on June 11 and finish in late July.

USMNT warned of 'nightmare' scenario

Dempsey thinks it's possible that the American men could fail to make it out of the group. That would be a nightmare.

"A nightmare would be not getting out of the group," he told CNN.

"I don't see that happening. I don't see that happening at all, especially with eight of the third-place teams now getting out of the group.

"You only need to win one game, really, and have a good goal differential, so things start getting interesting in the Round of 16, and who's to say how far you can go and do something great?

"So, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for them, and they do have the ability to do something special. It's just they got to make it happen.

"They got to inspire this country, kind of like what you saw in the Winter Olympics, where the people really got behind our women and men's hockey teams. I think that's something that you could see happening with a strong run."

The USMNT will begin play on June 12 against Paraguay.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM.