United States captain Tim Ream has called on his teammates to embrace the pressure and excitement of playing a home World Cup, describing the tournament as a “once-in-a-career” opportunity ahead of their opening match against Paraguay on Friday.
Speaking at the team’s training base in Irvine, Ream said the squad understood the expectations that come with co-hosting the 2026 World Cup but stressed that the players were placing the greatest demands on themselves.
The United States, who are hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, will begin their campaign in front of home supporters, a prospect players have described as both motivating and emotional.
Ream, one of the squad’s most experienced members, encouraged younger players to appreciate the scale of the occasion rather than be overwhelmed by it, saying the experience was unique and unlikely to come around again in their careers.
Forward Folarin Balogun said representing the United States at a home World Cup carried special significance given his personal journey. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents before moving to London as an infant, Balogun said playing in front of home fans would be a special moment for both him and his family.
Striker Ricardo Pepi echoed that sentiment, describing the tournament as an opportunity rather than a burden, while goalkeeper Matt Freese said the squad was determined to prove itself on the global stage.
The United States will open its World Cup campaign against Paraguay before continuing its group-stage fixtures later this month. Reuters reported that more than 5,000 fans attended the team’s public training session in California as anticipation builds ahead of the tournament.
