You’ve probably felt it. That low-humming electricity that starts at the back of your neck every time a World Cup year rolls around. Well, it’s 2026. The wait is officially over. If you’re asking when does the us national soccer team play, you’re not just looking for a calendar date; you’re looking for the itinerary for the biggest party North American sports has ever seen.
Mauricio Pochettino has spent the last year tinkering with the roster like a mad scientist. Honestly, it’s been a rollercoaster. We saw the highs of a late 2025 winning streak and the crushing lows of that Gold Cup final loss. But now, the "Mission 2026" project is in the endgame. The USMNT isn't just "participating" this time. They are the hosts. They are the main event.
The Road to Kickoff: USMNT Spring Friendlies
Before the lights get bright in June, the men have a gauntlet of friendlies designed to test their mettle against the best in the world. Pochettino isn't taking it easy. He’s booked heavyweights.
The action starts in late March with a massive doubleheader at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. On March 28, 2026, the U.S. takes on Belgium at 3:30 p.m. ET. Just three days later, on March 31, they face Portugal at 7 p.m. ET. These aren't just warm-ups. They are tactical survival tests.
Then comes the "Send-Off Series" in late May and early June.
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- May 31, 2026: USA vs. Senegal (Charlotte, NC) at 3:30 p.m. ET.
- June 6, 2026: USA vs. Germany (Chicago, IL) at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Germany in Chicago? That’s going to be a madhouse. It's the final dress rehearsal before the curtain rises on the world stage.
When Does the US National Soccer Team Play in the 2026 World Cup?
This is the big one. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is split across three countries, but the U.S. is keeping its group-stage matches strictly on home soil. Mark your calendars in permanent ink.
The USMNT opens their World Cup campaign on Friday, June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. They face Paraguay. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET. If you’ve never seen a soccer match at SoFi, the atmosphere is basically a tectonic event.
From there, the team flies north. Their second match is on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle. They’ll be playing Australia. Seattle’s "Emerald City" crowd is arguably the loudest in the country, and at 3 p.m. ET, the world will be watching to see if the U.S. can clinch a spot in the knockouts early.
The final group stage match brings them back to Southern California. On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the U.S. plays a TBD opponent (the winner of a UEFA Playoff) at SoFi Stadium. This one kicks off late—10 p.m. ET. It’s the kind of game that defines a generation.
Don't Forget the USWNT: SheBelieves and Beyond
While the men are prepping for the World Cup, Emma Hayes and the USWNT are in a massive transition of their own. They aren't just playing friendlies; they are building a new identity after a 2025 that saw Rose Lavelle take home Female Player of the Year honors.
The women's team actually kicks off the 2026 calendar earlier than the men. They have a January camp in California with two matches:
- January 24: vs. Paraguay in Carson, CA.
- January 27: vs. Chile in Santa Barbara, CA.
Then comes the 2026 SheBelieves Cup. This year, it’s a CONCACAF vs. CONMEBOL showdown featuring the USA, Argentina, Canada, and Colombia.
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- March 1: USA vs. Argentina (Nashville, TN) at 5 p.m. ET.
- March 4: USA vs. Canada (Columbus, OH) at 6:45 p.m. ET.
- March 7: USA vs. Colombia (Harrison, NJ) at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Where to Watch and How to Get Tickets
Look, tickets for the World Cup are basically gold dust at this point. If you didn't get in on the FIFA lottery, you're looking at the secondary market, and it’s not pretty. However, tickets for the spring friendlies and the SheBelieves Cup are much more accessible via the U.S. Soccer website.
For those watching from the couch, the broadcast rights are split. The Men's World Cup matches will be on FOX and Telemundo. The friendlies and women’s matches are generally spread across TNT, TBS, truTV, and HBO Max for English speakers, with Universo and Peacock handling the Spanish side.
The Pochettino Factor: Why This Time is Different
Most people get the USMNT wrong. They think the "Golden Generation" is just a marketing term. But under Mauricio Pochettino, the tactical shift to a 3-4-2-1 formation at the end of 2025 changed everything. We aren't just relying on Christian Pulisic’s individual brilliance anymore.
Pochettino has brought a "European" ruthlessness to the locker room. He’s dropped big names who weren't performing and elevated youngsters like Diego Luna. The team finally has a defined identity. They press high. They move fast. They don't look scared.
Whether you're a die-hard supporter or someone who only watches when the flags start flying, knowing when does the us national soccer team play is the first step. The next step is actually showing up—whether that's in a stadium in Seattle or at a bar in New York.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official U.S. Soccer app for last-minute roster changes before the March friendlies.
- Sync the FIFA World Cup match dates to your digital calendar now to avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Verify your streaming subscriptions (Max, Peacock, or Fubo) at least 24 hours before kickoff to avoid the "login loop" of doom during national anthems.