2026 World Cup: USMNT to Take on Belgium, Portugal, and Germany in Friendlies

Pochettino's team faces top european nations in World Cup prep

Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT to face top European nations in crucial World Cup warm-up matches, including games against Belgium, Portugal, and Germany.

“This is a massive opportunity to challenge ourselves against some of the top teams in the world...” 

The United States is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup with a thrilling lineup of friendlies. Mauricio Pochettino's team will face off against top-notch opponents Belgium, Portugal, and Germany, starting with Belgium in Atlanta on March 28th.

Pochettino expressed his excitement, saying, “This is a massive opportunity to challenge ourselves against some of the top teams in the world. These are incredible matches for the players and for the fans.”

The US team will remain in Georgia to play a friendly against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on March 31st, again at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This match is part of their World Cup warm-up schedule, showcasing their preparation against top teams.

The World Cup hosts will then play an as yet undetermined friendly in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 31st before wrapping up their World Cup warm-up schedule against four-time World Cup-winners Germany at Chicago's Soldier Field on June 6. These matches are crucial for the team's preparation.

“This is a massive opportunity to challenge ourselves against some of the top teams in the world,” US head coach Pochettino said in a statement. “These are incredible matches for the players and for the fans.” Pochettino's enthusiasm highlights the significance of these friendlies.

The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and the United States is gearing up for the big tournament. The event kicks off on June 11 and will conclude with the final on July 19. The US team will face their first challenge in Los Angeles on June 12, marking the start of their World Cup campaign.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 🏆

Germany will face World Cup hosts USA on June 6 in Chicago, their final warm-up before the tournament.

The match comes just five days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins in Mexico City 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/fLhYdcKayW

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) December 2, 2025

The US will learn who they'll be facing in the group phase when the draw takes place in Washington on Friday. The tournament is expected to be an exciting one, with 48 teams competing, and Belgium, Portugal, and Germany are already qualified.

In preparation for the World Cup, the US team has scheduled friendlies against Belgium, Portugal, and Germany. These matches will give them valuable experience and help them fine-tune their strategy. The friendlies are scheduled to take place in March, May, and June, with the final match against Germany happening on June 6 in Chicago.

Here's the schedule:

March 28th: Belgium vs. United States, Atlanta

March 31st: Portugal vs. United States, Atlanta

May 31st: TBD vs. United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

June 6th: Germany vs. United States, Chicago