“The pressure that will come with that, the expectation, the excitement, the nerves, the energy of playing in America is totally different than playing anywhere else in the world, so if you can’t handle that, it’s going to be tough. If you can’t handle being booed, if you can’t handle being cheered, if you can’t handle that level of expectation, then it’s going to be difficult, so that’s where there’s a different level of pressure on this group.”
Donovan, who played in three World Cups for the USMNT, knows firsthand what it takes to succeed on the world’s biggest stage. He believes the current crop of players has the talent and potential to make a deep run in the 2026 World Cup, but they must be willing to put in the work and embrace the pressure that comes with playing on home soil.
“This group has the talent to win the World Cup. They absolutely do,” Donovan said. “But talent alone is not enough. You have to have the mindset, the mentality, the willingness to sacrifice, the willingness to put yourself out there and say, ‘I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this World Cup.'”
As the final year before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, all eyes will be on the USMNT as they look to build momentum and confidence heading into the tournament. With the opportunity to showcase their skills at the Gold Cup and other upcoming competitions, the players will have a chance to prove themselves and earn a spot on the World Cup roster. The pressure is on, but if they can rise to the occasion, the USMNT has the potential to make history on home soil next year.
Donovan’s words serve as a reminder to the current generation of players about the sacrifices made by those who came before them and the responsibility they have to uphold the legacy of the USMNT. The journey to the 2026 World Cup starts now, and it will be up to the players to seize the opportunities that lie ahead and make their mark on the world stage.
