Why the USA’s World Cup exit exposed the limits of American power

In Seattle, the city of coffee and grunge, the United States’ World Cup dreams dissolved into a 5-2 defeat to Belgium. The match, played under grey skies and the weight of expectation, marked the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as US manager. The defeat came just 48 hours after the USA’s national birthday, turning celebration into commiseration. American exceptionalism, so often touted by pundits on Fox’s coverage, took a bruising hit. The team’s early promise—a 4-1 win over Paraguay—gave way to defensive chaos and individual errors. The United States exited at the round of 16, matching their progress under Gregg Berhalter in 2022 and earlier tournaments in 2010 and 2014. The political storm surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspension added to the turmoil. The US Football Association’s plea to overturn the ban, echoed by FIFA’s compliance, went unheeded as Belgium capitalised. The 4-1 scoreline exposed the gulf between ambition and execution.

Dest sees equal odds for US and Belgium at World Cup 2026

Defensive frailties were laid bare. Matt Freese’s costly mistake gifted Belgium their opener, while Tim Ream and Chris Richards struggled to contain Hans Vanaken. The absence of elite goalkeeping—once a US strength with Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, and Kasey Keller—was stark. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had shown flashes of quality, particularly in attack with Malik Tillman, Alex Freeman, and Christian Pulisic. Yet against Belgium, the midfield was overrun, and Pulisic, despite his club pedigree at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and AC Milan, offered little. His hype, it turned out, did not match the moment. Pochettino’s future remains uncertain. He has been offered a contract extension until 2030 but has not confirmed his plans. The Argentinian’s relationship with the US setup has been complicated, not least by Donald Trump’s pre-tournament call to the squad—a moment captured when captain Ream appeared visibly uncomfortable.

Carletto’s bittersweet link to the United States and the 2026 World Cup

The World Cup exit underscored a harsh truth: the US still lacks the depth to compete with Europe’s elite. Their three victories came against teams ranked 28th, 34th, and 61st. Since 2002, the US has never reached a quarter-final. Pochettino’s improvements were real, but not enough to bridge the gap. For a brief moment, the tournament had offered a respite from divisive politics. Yet the defeat in Seattle reminded everyone that, on and off the pitch, the USA’s global football ambitions remain unfulfilled.