Updated
Updated · FOX Sports · Jun 28
U.S. Faces No. 1 France and No. 2 Argentina in Projected 2026 World Cup Path
Updated
Updated · FOX Sports · Jun 28

U.S. Faces No. 1 France and No. 2 Argentina in Projected 2026 World Cup Path

3 articles · Updated · FOX Sports · Jun 28

Summary

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina, ranked No. 61, is the United States' confirmed round-of-32 opponent on July 1 in the San Francisco Bay Area after the Americans won Group D.
  • That draw leaves the U.S. with a steep projected route if higher-ranked teams advance elsewhere: Belgium in Seattle, Spain in Los Angeles, France in Dallas and Argentina in New York New Jersey.
  • Only Bosnia is ranked below the U.S. in that knockout path, a result of late group-stage surprises that toughened the bracket despite the Americans' strongest group start since 1930.
  • At +3500, the U.S. still has only the tournament's ninth-best title odds, while projected later opponents include favorites France at +360 and Argentina at +500.

Insights

The USMNT's path assumes top teams advance, but what if upsets elsewhere completely reshape their journey to the final?
Can the USMNT's home-field advantage realistically overcome four of the world's top ten teams in their projected World Cup path?
After a record-setting offense in the group stage, is the USMNT's defense prepared for superstars like Mbappé and Messi?