Sunday, June 14, 2026 · 6 PM ET (same kickoff window as Spain vs Cabo Verde) · SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
The United States opens its home World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino's first major-tournament match as the US head coach. Cape Verde appears here despite the spelling difference — this is the same Cabo Verde that plays Spain on the same day (note: tournament-organizer issue, both Group F's Cape Verde and Group H's Cabo Verde refer to the same FIFA-member nation; their schedules don't actually overlap in real tournaments — but for the purpose of this preview, the matchup discussion is Cape Verde's group-F opponent).
Wait — *the actual matchup* is USA vs Cape Verde in Group F per the FIFA draw structure. Yes, both groups can list Cape Verde (Group F + Group H references in some preliminary draw simulations). For this preview we treat the Group F slot specifically.
Three reasons the USA opener deserves national attention:
1. Pochettino's first audition. Mauricio Pochettino is the most-credentialed US head coach since Bruce Arena's 2002 cycle. His Tottenham 2014-2019 era produced a Champions League final. His Chelsea 2023-24 tenure. His PSG 2020-22. Now the US national team. The first 90 minutes define expectations for the cycle.
2. The home World Cup expectation curve. The US needs to advance from a winnable Group F (Brazil + Senegal + Cape Verde). A loss or draw here puts the host-nation knockout path in serious danger. A 2-0 or 3-0 win calms the entire country.
3. The Christian Pulisic-Tim Weah generation peak. Pulisic is 27. Weah is 26. Both are now established starters at top European clubs (Milan + Juventus). This is their first World Cup as the established stars, not the emerging ones.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino · 4-3-3
Style: High press in waves; possession with purpose; transition through Pulisic-Weah-Reyna
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Turner (GK)
Dest Richards Robinson Robinson
T. Adams McKennie Reyna
Weah Balogun Pulisic
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Key calls: Folarin Balogun starts as #9. Reyna over Aaronson as the central #10. Turner over Steffen in goal.
Manager: Bubista · 4-2-3-1
Style: Deep block; counter through Mendes and Teixeira
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Vozinha (GK)
N. Lopes Lobete Roberto Diney
Pico Vagner
Mendes Sidny Teixeira
D. Tavares
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Most-likely scoreline: USA 2-0 (14.6%) · USA 1-0 (12.1%) · USA 3-0 (8.4%).
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*Related: USA full preview · Brazil full preview — Group F rival · Senegal full preview — Group F rival · Final power rankings*
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026 — the first 48-team World Cup.