You United States were eliminated from world Cup of Qatar with one defeat to the Netherlands in the round of 16 this Saturday (03), but looking to the horizon of 2026, a bright future is emerging for young Americans.
Having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, USA coach Gregg Berhalter opted for youth this time around, with a lineup with an average age of 25 – the second-youngest of the 32 teams assembled in the 2018 World Cup. Qatar, after Ghana.
With defender DeAndre Yedlin, who played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the only link to the country’s World Cup past, the Americans’ lack of experience was evident at times, but made up for by exuberance and a rate of tireless work.
Netherlands vs United States: Lessons for the 2026 World Cup
While defeat by 3 x 1 in the hands of the Dutch was not the way the United States wanted to go out, the overall picture assessment is “mission accomplished” as Berhalter’s young squad received a World Cup baptism that will surely pay dividends in 2026.
“We set out with the aim of showing the rest of the world how we play football and I think we’ve partially achieved that despite falling short of our targets,” said Berhalter. “I think this group is close.”
“To be fielded with the youngest World Cup squad four games in a row and still be able to play the way we are, the American public should be optimistic.”
When the next World Cup takes place on home soil, players like 19-year-old Yunus Musah, 22-year-old Timothy Weah and 23-year-old Sergino Dest, Tyler Adams – the youngest captain at this year’s tournament – will all be closing in on your heyday.
The United States may also have discovered the name of the idol fans can cling to for the next four years, the 24-year-old Chelsea attacking midfielder Christian Pulisic, who established his star credentials in Qatar.
A victory over Iran and draws against England and Wales took the United States to the Round of 16, but more is expected on home soil four years from now.
Those results sparked talk of America’s next “golden generation,” but Berhalter was reluctant to put that label on his team, saying they don’t deserve it yet.
“I think that remains to be determined,” Berhalter said before the team clinched a place in the round of 16. “We achieved nothing as a group on the world stage.”
The loss to the Netherlands underscored the hard work the Americans intend to undertake beyond the Round of 16 in 2026.
But they head home believing they have an advantage over their co-hosts Mexico and Canada, who were both knocked out in the group stage in Qatar.
Mexico finished third in a very tough group that included Argentina and Poland, with four points.
Canada, back in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, couldn’t do better than they did in 1986, losing all three games, but managed to score their first goal in World Cup history.
Source: Moneytimes
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