The US men’s national team just did something it hasn’t done in 96 years. With a 2-0 victory over Australia on June 19, the USMNT clinched a spot in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, posting a perfect record through two group stage matches for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
Two wins, zero draws, zero losses, 6 points, and a +5 goal difference. For a program that has spent decades trying to prove it belongs on the world stage, this is the strongest group stage performance in US World Cup history. And there’s still one match left to play.
How the US got here
The campaign kicked off on June 12 with a commanding 4-1 demolition of Paraguay. Pochettino’s side followed it up a week later with a controlled 2-0 win over Australia, sealing qualification into the knockout rounds before Group D’s final matchday.
Pochettino is now the first US head coach in nearly a century to lead the team to consecutive World Cup victories. The Argentine manager has implemented a high-pressing, fluid attacking system that has clearly gotten the best out of a young and talented roster.
