And the requirement of a European team in each group denied the U.S. the chance to have beloved minnow Cape Verde in its group. The U.S. avoided some of the European teams looming as potential threats; Italy, Denmark, and Ukraine would head elsewhere.

The USMNT kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay in front of a home crowd in California. The Stars and Stripes will feel confident going against the CONMBEOL side given they just defeated Gustavo Alfaro’s men 2–1 in an international friendly during the November window.