Christian Pulisic will soon look to help guide the U.S. Men's National Team on a deep run at this summer's home FIFA World Cup -Credit:Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty ImagesWith former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino at the helm and the likes of AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic at the U.S. Men’s National Team’s disposal, expectations are high heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Set to be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, the tournament will kick off in exactly 50 days as of April 22, with Mexico City hosting the first game between El Tri and South Africa.The USMNT then kicks off in Group D a day later at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, when they take on Paraguay.

Taking to the pitch, barring any last-minute injuries or shock absentees from Pochettino’s roster, will not only be Pulisic but also Juventus’ Weston McKennie, AFC Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, and AS Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, among several other players from top European leagues.World Cup host city planning complementary transport amidst rocketing prices around the countryNew Jersey officials confirm eye-watering World Cup train prices after Governor's FIFA criticismPulisic has made 84 appearances for the USMNT -Credit:Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty ImagesIn fact, according to Pulisic, this current USMNT roster might be the best he’s worked with to date. “I think you could say so,” he said on the matter in an interview with Reuters.“Looking at the guys playing at the highest levels and doing extremely well at their clubs, and I think for sure you have a really, really strong squad and depth as well.

Multiple guys that can play in every position. It's a very strong team.”The likes of McKennie, Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann, and Olympique Marseille’s Tim Weah all provide invaluable flexibility when it comes to the ability to perform in multiple positions, while midfielder Pulisic was recently tested as a false nine during the USMNT’s 2-0 friendly loss to Portugal.Entering the tournament ranked 16th in the world by FIFA, one spot below Mexico and 14 ahead of Canada, the USMNT will not only be looking to prove the organizers wrong following their recent drop in the pecking order but also end a worrying eight-game losing streak against European nations dating back to 2022.Thankfully, as far as Pulisic is concerned, motivation shouldn’t be an issue.

“A World Cup is enough motivation in itself and having it in the U.S., having my family and close friends there, there's just nothing more you can ask for,” the 27-year-old said.Looking ahead to the opening game against Paraguay, for which FIFA appears to be struggling to shift tickets, Pulisic commented, “I know the energy in the stadiums is going to be great. We want to take as much of that as we can, take that motivation and push to make the American people proud.”This inherent sense of pride to represent his nation is clearly deep-rooted within the 84-time international, who admitted that “representing the U.S. and being able to ‌wear that ⁠crest, I don't take it lightly.“It's something I've been doing since I was 17 years old...

I'm very proud to be an American and am grateful for everything this country has given me. I just want to give everything back and hopefully make some people proud.”