For most of modern World Cup history, conversations about potential champions have started with the same familiar names: Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, France and Spain. The United States rarely entered that discussion.

Yet as the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its second week, the mood around the US men’s national team is changing rapidly. After back-to-back group-stage victories and qualification for the Round of 32, what initially felt like optimism has begun evolving into belief.

The question is no longer whether the United States can have a successful tournament. The question many fans are beginning to ask is far bigger: Can the hosts actually win the World Cup?

A Nation Starting To Believe

The scenes following the USA’s 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle captured the growing excitement around the team.

Thousands of supporters remained inside the stadium singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” long after the final whistle. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino walked toward the tunnel before turning back to engage with the crowd, leading chants of “U-S-A” as the stadium erupted.

For the first time since 1930, the United States won its opening two World Cup group matches.

That achievement alone has transformed the mood surrounding a team that spent much of the last four years battling criticism and inconsistency.

“We need to keep believing,” Pochettino said after the win. Midfielder Weston McKennie echoed the sentiment. “America is built on belief. We will always believe in ourselves and believe in each other.” he said.

The Home Advantage Factor

History suggests that hosting a World Cup can provide a significant boost.

The energy generated by home crowds, familiar environments and national momentum has repeatedly helped host nations outperform expectations.

Only six hosts have won the World Cup, but many others have produced memorable runs deep into the tournament.

Only South Africa and Qatar failed to advance beyond the group stage.

The overwhelming trend is clear: host nations almost always become more competitive.

Why This USA Team Feels Different?

Unlike previous American teams, this squad enters the tournament with players performing regularly at elite European clubs.

The core includes Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Folarin Balogun, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson. More importantly, they are finally producing performances that match their potential.

Against Australia, the Americans controlled possession, created chances and rarely looked threatened. Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic even offered a bold assessment when asked if the United States could win the tournament.

“Yes.” Coming from one of football’s biggest personalities, it was a statement that immediately grabbed headlines.

The Reality Check

For all the excitement, winning the World Cup remains an enormous challenge. Only eight countries have ever lifted the trophy.

The United States has never reached a World Cup semi-final in the modern era. Since 1930, it has won just one knockout match. The road ahead could include encounters with global powers such as Spain, France, Belgium or Argentina.

Those nations possess deeper squads, greater tournament pedigree and more proven match-winners. That reality cannot be ignored.

Why The Dream Feels Possible

What makes this tournament different is that the United States no longer looks overwhelmed by the occasion. The team is organized. The squad has depth. The atmosphere surrounding the tournament is energizing both players and supporters.

Most importantly, the Americans have placed themselves in a favourable position to potentially remain on home soil for the early knockout rounds, where crowd support could become a genuine advantage.

Captain Tim Ream perhaps summed up the emotional significance of the moment after qualification was secured. “Maybe it’s knowing how much all of us have put into this and getting the rewards for that.”

The Verdict

Are the United States favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup? No.

Spain, France and Argentina remain the most complete teams in the tournament. But are they realistic contenders?

For perhaps the first time in modern World Cup history, the answer is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss. Host nations have a long history of exceeding expectations. The United States has already achieved something it had not done in 96 years.

The World Cup is still young, and much tougher tests await. Yet across stadiums from Seattle to Dallas and beyond, a nation that once hoped merely to compete is beginning to dream much bigger.

And history suggests that when a host nation starts believing, remarkable things can happen.

Johnny Gaudreau‘s sister, Katie Gaudreau-Joyce, has welcomed her first child and paid tribute to her late brother through her son’s name.

Katie announced on Instagram that she and her husband Devin Joyce welcomed a baby boy named Matthew Guy Joyce on Saturday, June 20. The newborn’s middle name, Guy, is the same middle name Johnny Gaudreau used throughout his hockey career.

“The moment our hearts grew bigger than we ever imagined. Welcome to the world, sweet boy,” Katie wrote alongside photos of her son.

The birth comes less than two years after the deaths of Johnny and his younger brother Matthew Gaudreau.

The brothers were killed on Aug. 29, 2024 after they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey. They had been in town for Katie’s wedding and were returning from her rehearsal dinner when the crash happened.

Katie and Devin postponed their wedding for nearly a year following the tragedy and were married in July 2025.

Johnny, known across the hockey world as “Johnny Hockey,” played 10 full seasons in the NHL. He spent his first eight years with the Calgary Flames before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets on a seven-year, $68 million contract in 2022.

Both Johnny and Matthew left behind young families. Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith and their children, Noa and Johnny Jr., while Matthew’s wife Madeline gave birth to their son, Tripp after his death.

The Gaudreau brothers’ bond left a lasting impact on their family

The Gaudreau family has often spoken about the close relationship Johnny and Matthew shared. During the brothers’ funeral in September 2024 their wives Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau, described them as inseparable both on and off the ice.

“Everything was always John and Matty,” Meredith said while speaking at the service. “I know John would not have been able to live a day without his brother.”

Meredith also shared that she was pregnant with the couple’s third child, calling the news a total surprise.

“John was beaming and so excited,” she said. “His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me.”

Madeline similarly remembered the brothers.

“John took care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John,” she said. “You do not hear one name without the other. They were so extremely proud of each other.”

After the funeral Meredith’s father Ed Morris, said the family hoped people would remember the way the brothers lived their lives.

“John and Matty will be so happy if the world learned about how they lived their life and we all improved our lives as a result,” Morris said.

Nearly two years later Katie’s decision to name her son Matthew Guy is another reminder of how deeply Johnny and Matthew continue to be missed by those closest to them.