The 2026 World Cup will finally start to take shape on Friday with the draw that will determine the matchups for the Group Stage. The draw is a random but vital part of the World Cup journey for every team, including the USMNT.
As a co-host, the Americans have the benefit of being in Pot 1, which should help give Mauricio Pochettino’s side a favorable setup to advance to the Knockout Stage. However, that is far from a certainty, as there are plenty of good teams lurking outside of Pot 1. In anticipation of the draw, let’s look at five teams the U.