USMNT Prepares for World Cup with High-Profile Friendlies in March and June

The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) will spend March at their new base in Atlanta, engaging in two high-profile friendly matches. The first is scheduled against Belgium on March 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to Atlanta United. Three days later, the USMNT will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at the same venue.

Following the announcement of Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad, the team will travel to Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium for a match on May 31 against an undisclosed opponent. Subsequently, they will have a final pre-tournament friendly against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6, just six days before the USMNT’s World Cup opener in Los Angeles.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the significance of these matches for the team. “For us, this is a massive opportunity to challenge ourselves against some of the top teams in the world. These are incredible matches for the players and for the fans,” he stated. “We are thrilled to be playing in our new home of Atlanta, as well as competing in the great cities of Charlotte and Chicago ahead of the World Cup.”

This series of matches against formidable opponents continues a trend of high-stakes games for the USMNT. Last fall, the U.S. faced South Korea, Japan, Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay—teams all set to compete in the World Cup next summer. Notably, Belgium, Portugal, and Germany are also in the World Cup field, all classified as Pot One teams alongside the U.S.

In their fall campaign against World Cup-bound teams, the U.S. achieved a record of 4-1-1, securing victories against Japan, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, culminating in a five-game unbeaten streak to close out 2025. Overall, the U.S. finished the 2025 season with a record of 11-6-1.

While the matches conclude, the excitement remains for the USMNT. On Friday, the team will discover their World Cup group during the official draw, scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C.