The World Cup is back in the United States for just the second time in the tournament’s history, as 48 teams battle it out in the biggest competition to date. The USA are one of three hosts, alongside fellow North American teams Canada and Mexico, and will be hoping to put together an impressive run in front of their home crowd.

In preparation for the World Cup, the USMNT have brought in a top coach in the form of Mauricio Pochettino to try and get the most out of a squad that is ready to prove themselves. The 54-year-old has experienced plenty at the top of the game while in charge of Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, but international management is a new frontier, with an international tournament being a fresh challenge.

It all kicks off on June 13th for the USA, with a match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, before taking on Australia and Turkey in the rest of their group.

Pochettino joined GIVEMESPORT’s senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs for an exclusive chat on Market Madness after the World Cup draw in December. Here, GMS look back on Pochettino’s thoughts and expectations for the 2026 World Cup.

Pochettino’s Expectations for USMNT

Kirby Lee via Imagn Images via Reuters

What are your minimum expectations on the field for the tournament?

“It’s about winning, because I come from Argentina, and then I went to Europe, then England, and we are so competitive, it is in our blood. I know it’s going to be difficult, but our mentality, it’s about winning every single game and competing without fear and thinking we can beat any team.”

Does that mean you think you can win the entire tournament?

“It’s important to really believe that we can compete at our best. And then with our quality, we need to try to be intelligent in the way that we build the team to work out how we are going to compete. There are big teams – Spain, Argentina, England – I think we can be very competitive and create a very good team to compete. Winning depends on many factors, but the mentality is about winning. That is the culture that we are creating in the Federation.”

So what does success look like at the World Cup?

“For me, being successful is if you go right to the last day, in the final in New York, and you’re with your team and you have the possibility to win the trophy. Because we are competitive, and trying to win is in my blood. And even if sometimes people don’t believe that it’s possible, we want to make them feel that it’s possible.”

“I want to win and not think we’re being successful just by being there. For me, it’s about winning every single game; against Argentina, against England, against Spain. We are going to go into each game thinking that we can beat them.”

Do you have a fixed style and formation in mind or will USA take a fluid approach?

“The philosophy and style is never going to change. It’s a concept that we love, that is our identity and it is about respecting the football that we like to play. But as for the formation, yes, we are going to use different formations. We have been using different formations ahead of the tournament to try and provide the team with the flexibility to find the best performance, based on the characteristics of the players.

“I think it’s important for us to provide the formation that the players can feel most comfortable in on the pitch, and at the same time respect our identity and the way that we want to play.”We need to be flexible and very intelligent in the way that we are going to play, how we want to damage the opponent, and at the same time, how we organize to try and stop the opponent. I think that is the most important thing for me.”

Pochettino’s thoughts on reigning champions Argentina

Are your native Argentina the favourites for the World Cup?

“I believe that Lionel Messi is going to be ready to defend the title. Argentina are the best team in the world today. They have amazing players, and with Messi, they are even better. I think it is going to be tough to beat Argentina. It’s going to be a challenge. It’s not easy for Argentina to win another World Cup, two in a row is not going to be easy, but they are very solid and consistent.”

Will this be Messi’s last major tournament with Argentina?

“Who knows? It’s difficult to say. He said, maybe it’s the last one, but I don’t know. We’ll see, because he’s still in good form. When you watch the games in MLS he is scoring goals in every single game. So we’ll see. People can say ‘yes, maybe it’s the last one’, but maybe not.”

England and major tournaments go together like two peas in a pod. The last one they didn’t qualify for was Euro 2008; before then, it was the 1994 World Cup. They’re almost always there to try to shine on the biggest stage, as their fans — who travel across the world to support them — make themselves heard.

Fans in England are notoriously well-known around the world. Whether it’s in a fan zone, a random pub in the city or commonly in the streets, you’ll be able to hear the Three Lions roar. “We’re on our way,” they frequently chant, making it impossible to ignore them.

During these travels, they bring a unique set of chants to sing pre-match, at the stadium and afterwards. Whether it’s personalised for a specific player or just a classic from decades ago, England fans love to support their team. Some are more well-loved than others, but we have highlighted all the key ones to get you in the spirit of a major tournament.

Three Lions (It’s Coming Home)

Frank Skinner’s, David Baddiel’s and The Lightning Seeds’ Euro 96 song took the nation by storm. “Three Lions,” it was called, as they celebrated the country hosting a major tournament for the first time since 1966. However, since then, the song has been converted into one of England’s most memorable chants — It’s coming home. It’s sung, often sarcastically, to say that England are going to win the competition. Some people fail to understand the sarcasm behind it, but it always arises through the chants when a major tournament happens.

Harry Kane’s On My Mind

Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world — and it naturally means he is considered one of the greatest English players of all time by fans. Throughout his career, the attacker has had lacklustre chants sung about him, but then England fans produced a unique and entertaining song. It celebrates Kane’s remarkable goal-scoring feat, whilst it is likely to be common in Germany, considering the chant is about their bitter rivals.

World in Motion

Released in May 1990 as the official anthem for England’s Italia ’90 campaign, World in Motion was an unlikely collaboration between synth-pop giants New Order and the England squad, credited jointly as Englandneworder. Co-written with comedian Keith Allen, the track featured squad members on vocals and a now-iconic rap verse from John Barnes, which everyone at some point has had a go at reciting in full. Barnes was preferred over the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley for the verse, and it even got a rendition on the iconic TV show Gavin and Stacey. It shot straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming New Order’s only chart-topper.

Don’t Take Me Home

“Don’t take me home” is universally sung by nearly every club and English-speaking nation, but that’s because of how catchy it is. When following their nation across the world, England fans have been heard singing this in several places, from friendlies and qualifiers, right the way through to major tourname. They were having the times of their lives — and chanting “Don’t take me home” symbolised that perfectly. They always have to go home, obviously, but they try and forget that.

Engerland

Most chants on this list have a unique chorus and stand out from the rest. However, there’s always the need for a classic chant — which this does perfectly. It only mentions the name ‘England’, often in a drunken and slightly slurred manner, time and time again, but it’s perfect to sing when the side are pushing for a goal. Whether it’s at a set-piece, free-kick or on a counter-attack, you can probably hear the stadium signing in chorus with this chant. It would be nearly impossible for anyone to get confused with the words.

Vindaloo

“Vindaloo” is another English classic which was released ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Written by British band Fat Les, the song “nah nah nah” has become a firm favourite of football fans as they march to stadiums, while the lyric “We’re England; we’re gonna score one more than you”, epitomises the sense of cockiness and sarcasm that England fans have in abundance. For people from other nations, it can often be hard to comprehend, but there is a certain knack to it for those supporting the Three Lions.

England ‘Til I Die

England as a nation, often socially and politically, has been deeply divided since 2010. There have been constant issues, yet football has the power to bring people together and get everyone to feel a sense of nationalism. No chant does that better than “England ’til I die”, which highlights that fans will always support their team, through thick and thin, until they sadly pass away. Just like others, the chant is hard to get confused with, making it electric when everyone gets involved.

We Love You England

“We love you England” follows on from the points made with the last chant. Nationalism and pride in the country are often at an all-time low, but not during a major tournament. People believe, the beer gardens fill up, and the celebrations turn into full swing. There is never a better time to be in the country, and everyone from every walk of life will be signing “We love you England”, as they dream of glory for the first time since 1966.

Sweet Caroline

Sweet Caroline was produced by Neil Diamond in 1969 — and, although it was popular when it was first released, it has been its renaissance in the sporting world which has been more impressive. First adopted by the Boston Red Sox, English clubs quickly took it over, with the nation’s run to the 2020 Euros Final seeing it used fully. After beating Germany 2-0 in the Round of 16, which is considered one of the team’s best-ever Euros wins, Wembley’s DJ, Tony Parry, decided to play Sweet Caroline over Vindaloo. Everyone sang it at the top of their lungs.

God Save the King (National Anthem)

It might be sung by England’s players as they line up before a match, but it doesn’t stop English fans from belting it out in the stands and at home. The song isn’t reserved for pre-match traditions either. During a game, England supporters can often be heard singing the national anthem at various points, making them one of the few fanbases to continue doing so as play is underway. It’s by far the oldest song of any that England fans sing, with its origins dating back to 1745, though it wasn’t officially recognised as the national anthem until the 19th century.

England and their fans produced one of the greatest national anthem performances of all-time ahead of the Euro ’96 semi-final. The noise produced by the 75,000 in attendance at the old Wembley prompted singer Paul Young to step back and give the moment to the roaring Three Lions.

Football has been on a slow but steady rise in Canada in recent years, having produced an increasing amount of top talent making it to the shores of European clubs.

After first appearing at a World Cup in 1986, Canada ended a painful 36 years by returning to the grandest stage in football at Qatar 2022. The 2026 World Cup gives Canada the chance to bring the game within their own country to a whole new level; as hosts alongside Mexico and USA, the tournament will trigger a new generation of soccer fanatics desperate to emulate Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies.

GIVEMESPORT takes a look at the 15 greatest players to ever pull on the Canada jersey.

16

Alex Bunbury

Career Span: 1992-2000

Molly Riley via Reuters

One of Canada’s most prominent footballers before the turn of the century. The two-time Canadian player of the year earned 65 caps and scored 16 international goals, while also enjoying a lengthy spell in Portugal’s top flight with Maritimo after starting out at West Ham. Although his numbers don’t match those of a truly elite striker, Bunbury was an important figure for the national team throughout the 1990s and helped lay the foundations for future generations. He had a relatively short career and retired in 2000 after winning the MLS Cup with the Kansas City Wizards.

15

Jonathan Osorio

Career Span: 2013-Current

Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Jonathan Osorio is Canada through and through. He’s been at Toronto FC for his whole club career, and now serves as their captain, accumulating over 400 club appearances. His finest hour at club level came in 2017, when he was central to Toronto’s historic treble. The MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship all in one season. Internationally, he made his debut for Les Rouges in his first professional season and was a key figure in the midfield engine that drove Canada to the 2022 World Cup.

14

Tomasz Radzinski

Career Span: 1994-2012

Born in Poland but raised in Canada, the quick, sharp striker fired Anderlecht to back-to-back Belgian titles before earning a £4.5 million move to Everton in 2001, a Canadian transfer record at the time. He spent three years at Goodison Park, scoring 25 Premier League goals, before moving on to Fulham. With 45 caps and 10 international goals across 14 years of service, he was Canada’s benchmark long before it became fashionable to follow football.

13

12

Cyle Larin

Career Span: 2015 – Current

Cyle Larin is Canada’s second all-time leading scorer. He’s been at the sharp end of Les Rouges’ rise for the best part of a decade. A powerful centre-forward with a poacher’s instinct, he was the key player in their 2022 World Cup qualification, finishing as top scorer in the CONCACAF qualifying campaign with 13 goals in 16 matches. He made his name in the MLS before taking his talents to Europe, winning the Turkish league with Besiktas and the Belgian title with Club Brugge, before moving to Spain, and most recently England, with Southampton.

11

Paul Stalteri

Career Span: 1997-2011

Paul Harding via Reuters

Before Canada’s current generation emerged, Paul Stalteri was proving that Canadian players could compete at the highest level in Europe. The defender enjoyed a successful career in Germany with Werder Bremen, helping the club win the Bundesliga title in 2004 before earning a move to the Premier League with Tottenham. Equally comfortable at full-back or in midfield, Stalteri became a mainstay for Canada and finished his international career with 85 caps. At a time when Canadian footballers were rarely seen in Europe’s top leagues, he helped pave the way for those who followed.

10

Carlo Corazzin

Career Span: 1992-2006

Beginning this list with Carlo Corazzin, the striker spent the majority of his career as an integral player for lower league clubs in the English divisions such as Cambridge United, Plymouth Argyle, Oldham Athletic, and Northampton Town during the 1990s and early 2000s. However, on English shores is not where the Canadian thrived the most, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000 for his nation while firing home four goals for his side during the process and earning himself the golden boot for the competition that year as well.

9

Junior Hoilett

Career Span: 2007-Current

Junior Hoilett spent a good chunk of his career at Premier League level with just shy of 200 games across a host of clubs. The attacker is one of the most exciting players to watch that has come from Canadian soil, combining pace with his flair and dribbling. Hoilett was creative and dangerous in his time at Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, and Queens Park Rangers. Making his debut for Canada in 2015, the versatile winger has amassed 69 appearances, setting the record for the most assists in the country’s history in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

8

Atiba Hutchinson

Career Span: 2002-2023

Playing for some big European clubs, Atiba Hutchinson would spend the majority of his career servicing for PSV, Copenhagen, and Besiktas. He was one of the most versatile and durable players in the game, playing matches in every outfield position, and retiring at 40. Making his international debut in 2003, Hutchinson managed a staggering 104 appearances for his nation, the most caps that any Canadian has made for the country, competing in five CONCACAF Gold Cups, and was awarded as Canada’s Men’s Player of the Year on six occasions, winning it three years in a row between 2014 and 2016.

7

Julian de Guzman

Career Span: 2002-2016

Making the third-most appearances for the Canadian national team (89), Julian de Guzman is known as a legend of the nation. During his career, the defensive midfielder would play in the Bundesliga, La Liga, and the MLS, most notably spending the largest portion of time in Spain at Deportivo La Coruna.

De Guzman possessed an engine that allowed him to cover ground in the midfield, using his ability in and out of possession to give his opponents issues, with great quality on the ball and a relentless nature without. Also winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup Most Valuable Player in 2007, he would go on to win the Men’s Canadian Player of the Year award only a year later in 2008.