Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. last Friday, the soccer world is amped for next summer’s tournament. United States men’s national team (USMNT) legend Tim Howard has also expressed his excitement with a bold prediction.
So, what did the former Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper claim?
Tim Howard Has High Hopes for USMNT in 2026 FIFA World Cup
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, USMNT were drawn into Group D of the tournament that will see the co-hosts face Australia and Paraguay. Mauricio Pochettino’s team will also take on the UEFA Playoff C winner, with one of Turkey, Slovakia, Romania, and Kosovo set to qualify.
“I’ve heard so many people in the U.S media landscape talk about how they think this is a tricky draw. I don’t. I don’t. This is a guaranteed, U.S. men will top this group,” Howard said on the latest Unfiltered Soccer podcast (via KSNV NBC Las Vegas).
When asked what he would like to see from USMNT, Howard replied, “(They should) create a World Cup where everybody falls in love with this team. And that’s by breaking records. That’s by performing well. That’s by just giving everything.”
USMNT, who are unbeaten in their past five matches, are the highest-ranked Group D team in the world (14). Australia is 26th in the FIFA world rankings list, and Paraguay is 39th. On the other hand, Turkey, Slovakia, Romania, and Kosovo are 25th, 45th, 47th, and 80th, respectively, in the list.
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Howard Believes Inter Miami Will Suffer After 2026 FIFA World Cup
Days after Inter Miami’s maiden Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup win, Tim Howard said that the Lionel Messi-led outfit will struggle to perform in 2026. He predicted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would take a toll on the Herons.
“Arsene Wenger used to talk about the World Cup hangover… middle of the season next year, you’re going to have a World Cup, right for two or three of your best players, and obviously, Messi, the greatest player,” Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast (via GOAL).
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“There’s no doubt in my mind that that team will down tools (because of the World Cup). There’s no doubt in my mind. Not because they’re bad guys. Not because they’re bad, but because literally the exhaustion (will affect the rest of the year),” the 46-year-old concluded.
Inter Miami pair Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will play for Argentina, while Herons ace Fafà Picault will feature for Haiti in next summer’s FIFA World Cup. Herons star Ian Fray is also a potential participant as Jamaica are set to try their luck in the playoffs.
