SANTA CLARA, California – Head coach Mauricio Pochettino shared an emotional and inspiring moment with his players in the latest episode of Behind The Crest presented by Volkswagen, offering fans a unique behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. Men’s National Team’s historic run at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

During a training session, Pochettino gathered his players on the field and asked them to reflect on their childhood dreams — to remember when they first aspired to play professional football, when the dream of featuring in a World Cup was all that mattered.

On the eve of the USMNT’s first knockout match at FIFA World Cup 2026, Pochettino’s message recognised the years of dedication behind each of the 26 players’ journeys. Some had grown through the Youth National Teams, while others chose later to represent the Stars and Stripes through dual nationality. Their paths may have been different, but they all converged on this shared moment they had long envisioned.

This sentiment applies not only to the individuals but to the entire USMNT programme, which — along with American football as a whole — has been building towards this summer since Pochettino’s appointment in September 2024. The journey did not begin with the group stage opener against Paraguay on June 12, nor with the Final Draw on December 5, 2025. It has been years in the making.

“Tomorrow is a Final,” Pochettino declared during FIFA’s pre-match press conference at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Tuesday. “The game against Paraguay was a Final. We also tried to bring that same message when we played in Chicago against Germany, in Charlotte against Senegal, in Tampa versus Uruguay, and in Philadelphia with Paraguay. I tried to create similar feelings and emotion.”

Pochettino has been preparing his team for the intensity of the knockout rounds since he took charge of U.S. Soccer. Facing strong international opponents before large crowds has been a deliberate part of the build-up to this home-soil FIFA World Cup — particularly in the absence of World Cup qualifying fixtures.

Echoing his captain’s words, Pochettino noted that the squad is approaching this stage with greater composure. Defender Tim Ream mentioned earlier in the week that he feels less pressure now than in their previous World Cup four years ago, when the team faced the Netherlands in the Round of 16. With added maturity and experience, the players are focused purely on winning the next match.

“Everything we’ve been working towards is for tomorrow — to apply it on the field,” Pochettino said. “They need to stay calm, not overthink, and play instinctively with the confidence that all our preparation will show on the pitch.”

The USMNT’s success so far — topping Group D, scoring a record eight goals in the group stage, and achieving the most points in the programme’s World Cup history — stands as proof of their meticulous planning. Pochettino’s top objective was for the U.S. to finish first in the group, ensuring advancement, and they accomplished that with a game to spare.

“The mentality is perfect,” Pochettino said. “We are extremely happy with how we’ve worked from Day 1 when we met in New York. I’ve seen massive improvement in our competitive spirit and in our ambition to achieve things that were once only dreams. That’s why we’re so proud — of the Federation, the staff, and of course, the players, who are the main actors. They’re doing a fantastic job. I’m so happy and proud of them, and I hope we continue performing and learning the lessons we aim for.”

Those preparations will now be tested as the U.S. faces its first knockout match of the tournament — and its first since the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. In the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, the U.S. will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. The winner will meet either Senegal or Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle.

Chasing their first victory against a European side since 2021, the U.S. will welcome back some key players. Forward Christian Pulisic told reporters on Tuesday that he feels good and is “ready to go” for the Round of 32 fixture in Santa Clara. He had missed the win over Australia in Seattle and appeared as a second-half substitute in the group finale against Türkiye.

Among the three players managing injuries this week, Pochettino confirmed that defender and goalscorer against Türkiye Auston Trusty is “much better than we expected” and could be available, subject to a final fitness check. The staff are also monitoring centre-back Mark McKenzie and midfielder Cristian Roldan, awaiting updates on their availability.

“It’s going to be difficult, but we need to wait — in 24 hours, things can change quickly,” Pochettino added.

Indeed, rapid change has been the defining theme of this tournament’s knockout phase, which has already delivered dramatic upsets and penalty shootouts. Four of the first five Round of 32 matches have been decided by a single goal or via penalties. Group D’s third-place side Paraguay, who lost 4-1 to the U.S. in their opener, stunned four-time champions Germany. Morocco edged out the Netherlands in a tense penalty shootout to reach the Round of 16, while Japan nearly forced extra time against fifth-ranked Brazil before Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner sealed it.

Ream had said earlier this week to “expect the unexpected” in these knockout rounds. While the U.S. hopes to avoid surprises, Bosnia and Herzegovina has earned full respect from Pochettino and his squad. Led by Ermin Mahmić, the team’s top scorer with two goals in the tournament, and captain Edin Džeko, the country’s all-time leading scorer, Bosnia and Herzegovina have shown growing confidence in only their second-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.

With a place in the Round of 16 at stake, Pochettino and his players are determined to rely on the process that brought them here. The rest, he insists, is instinct, preparation, and the will to win.

“For us, tomorrow is the Final of the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “If we don’t think that way, we’ll struggle. We’ve already seen how tough every match has been after the group stage. No game is easy, and every contest is fiercely competitive. We don’t get another chance if we fail. It’s all or nothing — treating this as the Final of the World Cup. And if we make it through, the next one will be another Final. That’s our mindset and mentality.”