Tim Howard calls it 'impossible' for the USMNT to win the 2026 World Cup despite strong start

Former U.S. men’s nationalist squad goalkeeper Tim Howard understands nan early occurrence this group has successful nan 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he doesn’t deliberation they will beryllium hoisting immoderate trophy by nan extremity of nan tournament.

In fact, Howard believes it’s "impossible" for them to triumph the World Cup.

"The U.S. cannot, unequivocally, triumph nan World Cup," he said connected his "Unfiltered Soccer" podcast alongside erstwhile USMNT teammate Landon Donovan. "The U.S. will person to play nan top crippled they’ve ever played…four games successful a row. Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, finals.

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Tim Howard, goalkeeper for nan United States, plays during a crippled against Azerbaijan astatine Candlestick Park successful San Francisco, California, connected May 27, 2014. (Michael Burns/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

"It’s virtually intolerable for nan U.S. to triumph nan World Cup. That’s conscionable nan reality."

Donovan, though, was a spot much optimistic than nan Hall of Fame goalie.

"Can we? Yes. Has this group proven they tin hit a apical team? No," Donovan added. "If they play nan measurement they’re playing, they tin perfectly compete pinch immoderate squad successful this World Cup. For sure."

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Thus far, nan USMNT has had beardown victories against Paraguay, a 4-1 triumph that marked nan astir goals scored by Team USA successful a World Cup match. Then, they followed it up pinch a commanding 2-0 triumph complete Australia this past Friday to notch a spot successful nan knockout rounds.

Donovan believes Mauricio Pochettino’s group is building momentum, which could yet thief them make that Cinderella run.

United States goalkeeper Tim Howard stands connected nan section earlier nan CONCACAF Gold Cup last against Jamaica astatine Levi's Stadium connected July 26, 2017. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)

"I’ve said this complete and over. Can you do it 4 times successful a row? Can you do it successful nan information of 16, nan quarter, nan semi, nan final. That is wherever it gets really hard," Donovan explained. "But momentum gets going, you ne'er know."

The USMNT still has one much Group D match to go, arsenic they look Türkiye connected Thursday, which will only effect who they will look successful nan caller information of 32.

It’s a caller format for nan World Cup, arsenic they expanded group from 32 to 48 teams has now led to a information of 32 alternatively of nan accustomed information of 16. The apical 2 teams of each group, arsenic good arsenic nan apical 8 third-place teams, will beryllium heading for nan knockout rounds.

While this crippled technically doesn’t matter for nan U.S., Pochettino will surely beryllium stressing its value to proceed building connected nan momentum they’ve created passim their first 2 matches.

Christian Pulisic had an assistance successful nan first half of nan USMNT World Cup opener against Paraguay. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)

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Also, nan position of Christian Pulisic, nan team’s superstar midfielder who sat retired against Australia owed to a near calf injury, will beryllium nether a microscope erstwhile again heading into nan last group shape match. Considering nan spot successful nan knockout shape is secured, it will beryllium absorbing to spot if Pochettino decides to beryllium cautious and beryllium Pulisic erstwhile much to guarantee he’s fresh for nan elimination game.

Can they make a tally successful those games and daze Howard pinch a tally to nan final? The entity is nan limit for this group that has made a connection frankincense far.

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