USMNT star says World Cup final run is 'not ridiculous'

After a 2-0 victory over Australia, USMNT defender Chris Richards said it is not ridiculous to imagine the United States winning the 2026 World Cup on home soil. Zlatan Ibrahimović had American fans elated when he said the USMNT has what it takes to win the tournament, adding ballast to a growing sense of belief within the squad. The Americans have opened the World Cup with convincing wins over Paraguay and Australia, and with Türkiye's loss to Paraguay, the U.S. clinched first place in Group D, earning a direct path to the Round of 32. Richards stressed that the team will take it one game at a time and build from there.

Looking ahead, the United States will meet Türkiye at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, a matchup that could shape momentum and the bracket for the knockout rounds. Players and coach alike tempered expectations, insisting progress will come in stages rather than via bold statements about a title. The prospect of a World Cup on home soil adds motivation, but the group emphasizes disciplined preparation, the consistency and the effort needed to translate early optimism into a deep run in 2026.