The United States’ 2026 World Cup dreams ended in humiliating fashion after suffering a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16.
To win the tournament on home soil was every USA fan’s hope heading into the summer, and the Stars and Stripes impressed during the group stages. A 4-1 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 victory against Australia gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side belief they could go deep.
Whether Pochettino continues as the USA manager is unclear, but whoever is in charge in the years to come will focus on ensuring the nation qualifies for the 2030 World Cup. There could be new stars shining in four years’ time, and AI has predicted how the team might look if they make it to Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
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GK: Matt Freese (31)
There will be plenty of speculation over who is the USA’s number one in the aftermath of their World Cup exit. Matt Freese remained between the sticks throughout the campaign, but a moment of madness from the New York City FC shot-stopper led to one of Belgium’s four goals.
AI reckons Freese will have competition from three other goalkeepers but should come out on top. He will have years of experience representing his country by the time the next World Cup comes around, and that might be factored in.
What AI Says: Likely the veteran starter after taking over in 2026. Strong holdover with experience; young challengers like Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, or Gaga Slonina will push him.
RB: Alex Freeman (25)
One of the breakout stars of the World Cup, Alex Freeman caught the eye and got on the scoresheet in the win over Australia. The young Villarreal defender is a dead-ball specialist who will probably be a top star for the USA in the years to come.
Freeman only made his senior debut for the national team in June 2025 and earned a move to La Liga club Villarreal in January. He will be one for the Americans to watch in European football.
What AI Says: Rising star who broke through strongly; athletic and reliable option on the right.
CB: Chris Richards (30)
One of the most high-profile names in the USA squad, and he has thrived for club and country in recent years. Chris Richards continues to stake his claim as one of the best defenders the country has ever birthed.
Richards played a crucial role in Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League win last season. Formerly of Bayern Munich, he should be wearing the captain’s armband when the 2030 World Cup swings about, thanks to his leadership qualities.
What AI Says: The anchor and probable captain or co-leader; still in prime and a top performer.
CB: Noahkai Banks (23)
It’s time to move on from Tim Ream, and AI believes Noahkai Banks is likely to be the 38-year-old’s replacement. The 19-year-old Augsburg defender is one of German football’s most promising defensive talents who has yet to even earn a senior cap for his country.
Banks has represented the USA at youth level but could choose to play for Germany’s national team. He holds dual eligibility through his American father and German mother, which means the USSF might have to move quickly to prevent him from switching nationalities.
What AI Says: Banks or another young CB (e.g., potential from the pipeline like Josh Wynder or George Campbell) — Youth injection needed here; center-back depth remains a US weakness.
LB: Antonee Robinson (32)
Another one of the USA’s main men, Antonee Robinson, has been outstanding throughout his international career. The Fulham left-back has made the position his own and featured in four of his nation’s five 2026 World Cup games.
Experience is vital in major competitions, which is why it makes sense for Robinson to continue as the starting left-back at the next World Cup. As AI points out, there will be several youngsters gunning for his spot, including Frankie Westfield, who is earning huge praise at Philadelphia Union.
What AI Says: Robinson or a younger successor (e.g., Luca Bombino, Frankie Westfield, or Peyton Miller) — Jedi could still contribute if healthy, but age/injuries may open the door for youth.
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Midfielders
CM: Tyler Adams (31)
After enjoying a stellar campaign with Bournemouth in the Premier League, Tyler Adams seemed destined to help the USA battle their way to a deep finish at the World Cup. That wasn’t quite the case, but he fared well in the middle of the park, anchoring his side in wins over Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia.
There’s no telling where Adams will be in four years’ time but his exploits for club and country have led to talk over a potential summer switch. Manchester United are reportedly interested in the former Leeds United man who has earned 58 caps for the Stars and Stripes.
What AI Says: Experienced leader and tackler; durability questions but high floor if fit.
CM: Malik Tillman (28)
One of the USA’s best performers during the 2026 World Cup, Malik Tillman put his name up in lights with eye-catching performances. He ended the tournament having scored two free-kicks against Bosnia and Belgium and can definitely hold his head up high.
The Nürnberg-born midfield gem could become a household name in the years to come. If he continues to deliver at club level with Bayer Leverkusen, he might head towards Christian Pulisic-level superstardom.
What AI Says: Creative, dynamic presence; expected to be in his prime.
CM/AM: Cavan Sullivan (20)
A new face is expected to arrive in the USA’s starting XI should they reach the 2030 World Cup. At just 16 years of age, the sky is the limit for Cavan Sullivan, who eyed earning a place in Pochettino’s squad for this year’s tournament.
Sullivan is an exciting teenage talent making a name for himself in the MLS with the Philadelphia Union. He might already be turning heads on the biggest stage when he turns 18 as a clause in his contract allows him to transfer to Manchester City.
What AI Says: Sullivan (highly touted prospect, often ranked #1) represents the exciting youth wave; could be a star by then alongside or instead of veterans.
Forwards
Reuters/David Gonzales
RW: Christian Pulisic (31)
What AI says: Still the talisman and likely key creator/leader, though possibly with reduced explosiveness.
Much of the blame for the USA’s early exit has been placed on Christian Pulisic’s shoulders. The AC Milan forward had been expected to be the catalyst for a successful tournament but failed to live up to expectations.
A quiet World Cup campaign saw Pulisic manage just one assist in four games. Still, AI reckon he’ll remain the main protagonist for the Stars and Stripes should his country bounce back and qualify for the tournament in four years’ time.
ST: Folarin Balogun (28)
What AI says: Prime-age finisher and top striker option.
What had been shaping up to be a tournament to remember for Folarin Balogun is now clouded by controversy. FIFA’s decision to suspend his one-match ban after a red card against Bosnia has made the AS Monaco striker a victim in the Article 27 saga.
Balogun led the line superbly, scoring three goals and providing one assist in four games. He might have new faces to compete with but there is no question that he is the USMNT’s best centre-forward and should be an undisputed starter moving forward.
LW: Mathis Albert (21)
A teenage attacking gem who looks set to become Borussia Dortmund’s next USMNT star, Mathis Albert is tipped to take the left wing in 2030. He is viewed as a generational talent who could follow in Pulisic’s footsteps on the European stage.
Possessing electric speed and a fearless approach in one-on-one situations, if it’s entertainment the Americans are after, look no further than Albert. He surpassed Gio Reyna to become the youngest player in Bundesliga history, and he’s already made an impact in his nation’s colours after a brilliant U17 World Cup last year.
What AI says: Albert (Dortmund prospect) or others (e.g., Zavier Gozo, Cole Campbell) could force their way in.
Football debates always make for entertaining viewing and there isn’t a bigger one than the GOAT battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Whatever side of the fence you sit on, there are reasonable arguments for both sides. For many, Messi’s heroics at the 2022 World Cup, firing Argentina to glory, confirmed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as the greatest of all-time.
That said, some continue to back Ronaldo, pointing out his success in Europe with club and country. He’s also the greatest goalscorer the sport has ever seen.
Harry Kane is arguably England’s answer to the iconic duo, moving into legendary status every time he represents his country. His opinion holds weight and that’s why the Three Lions’ all-time top goalscorer’s verdict of Messi and Ronaldo is worth assessing.
Harry Kane’s Verdict on Messi or Ronaldo
REUTERS/Eloisa Sanchez
Now that Messi and Ronaldo have left European football, other stars have stepped up and put their names forward for a Ballon d’Or win. Kane is one of them, having thrived at Bayern Munich last season and eyeing World Cup glory with England.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker probably won’t reach the heights of Messi and Ronaldo from their iconic duel in El Clasico. But he has played against Messi and Ronaldo during his career.
Asked which player he believes was better during their prime, he told Prime Video Sport in 2022: “I’ll go with prime Messi.”
Those comments came before Messi won the World Cup with Argentina later that year. The Argentine’s peak undoubtedly came at Barcelona, where he dazzled at Camp Nou and became the Catalans’ all-time top scorer.
Messi came up against Ronaldo during his time in Catalonia and the pair waged war for nine seasons in La Liga. Both have been irreplaceable since leaving Barca and Real Madrid, and Spanish football hasn’t quite been the same.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Kane Wanted to ‘Get on Ronaldo and Messi Level’
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It’s easy to just place Messi and Ronaldo in a league of their own. However, Kane’s exploits over the past year have been on a par with the numbers the pair produced at their peak.
Kane won the European Golden Boot after netting 36 goals in the Bundesliga and finished with an overall tally of 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern. It’s a ridiculous statistic that puts him above Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.
For England’s skipper, it’s unsurprising as he previously vowed to reach Messi and Ronaldo’s level. He told Gary Neville on The Overlap back in 2021:
“I’ve still got so much more to give. I can produce better numbers than I’m producing at the moment. I’m not afraid to say, ‘I want to be the best’. I want to try and get on the level Ronaldo and Messi got to. That’s my ultimate goal – to be winning trophies season in, season out, scoring 50, 60, 70 goals season in, season out. The pressure from myself is always bigger than anything anyone else can put on me.”
The GOAT debate isn’t the only one taking hold in football today. Messi and Ronaldo’s absence from European football has made the Ballon d’Or race hard to call, and many believe Kane deserves to pick up the prestigious award.
Kane’s world-class exploits for club and country are also sparking debate over his status in the English game. Some think he is eclipsing the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton as the best player in Three Lions history.
A decision to pull the plug on a deal for Ederson has led Manchester United to explore alternatives as they seek to overhaul Michael Carrick’s midfield.
Ederson had been set to join United in a £39 million deal after reaching an agreement with Atalanta back in May. As time passed, uncertainty grew over where the transfer stood, and the club have now decided against signing the Brazilian.
It appears that issues during medical assessments led the Red Devils to opt out of finalising the 27-year-old’s capture. The transfer chiefs appeared to pivot quickly and swooped for Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £50 million deal.
The 22-year-old won’t be the only midfielder to arrive at Old Trafford, though, as a marquee signing is anticipated. One of the names on their shortlist has more than caught the eye during the World Cup.
Man Utd Turn to Bouaddi After Ederson Deal Collapses
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United are looking elsewhere and are admirers of Morocco’s breakout star Ayyoub Bouaddi. A report from Eduardo Burgos claims that the club have been “following him since the start of the season and the World Cup.”
Bouaddi’s stock has grown amid a superb campaign in North America with his country, showcasing why he’s in such high demand. At just 18, he played with maturity and starred in games against Brazil (1-1 draw) and the Netherlands (3-2 penalty shootout win).
The club need to replace Casemiro, who has left following the expiration of his contract. They have missed out on top targets with Elliot Anderson joining Manchester City for £116m and Mateus Fernandes heading to Tottenham Hotspur for £85m.
Bouaddi is a press-resistant midfielder who can play as a six or an eight. His six-foot-one-inch frame gives him a physical profile, but he’s extremely gifted on the ball and ticks plenty of boxes for Carrick.
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Why Bouaddi Should be Man Utd’s Top Choice
via Reuters
Bouaddi might not be a marquee name per se, but he is undoubtedly one of the most promising midfielders in Europe. Currently at LOSC Lille, he’s believed to have some of Europe’s biggest clubs chasing his signature.
Liverpool are reportedly also eyeing the Moroccan, and a £100 million fee might be required. But he has been heralded as an ‘elite’ talent ready to make the move to a European giant.
United are looking to sign two new midfielders alongside Santos and Bouaddi is ideal to help with overhauling Carrick’s midfield. He could be a long-term fixture in the middle of the park and be a perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo.
The report claims that Manu Kone and Alex Scott are also on the Reds’ wishlist and are viewed as alternatives to Ederson. If it comes down to a choice between the trio, Bouaddi is probably the most exciting option.
