By Wilson Florez
Amid doubts and criticism about the performance of the American team before the 2026 World Cup, Tim Howard showed great confidence. The former United States goalkeeper believes that The USMNT will have no problems in the first phase of the World Cup.
Tim Howard offered his analysis on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast. The former Mexican national team goalkeeper appeared confident in the face of the United States’ initial challenge in the World Cup.
“Are you ready? They are going to get through the group stage without effort“said the former goalkeeper. The United States was paired in Group D. The USMNT will face Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye.
Tim Howard’s confidence is of such magnitude that believes that the United States will finish first in its group. Paraguay is a complex team that is firmly returning to a World Cup after its good performance in Conmebol; Australia usually puts on a show at World Cups and Türkiye has a squad that deserves respect.
“They play against a third-place team, which means the round of 32; That is, they have to reach the round of 16 and play an important match. They haven’t done it,” Howard said, considering that The United States will be first in its group.
The present of the USMNT
Mauricio Pochettino has had problems with the American team in recent friendly matches. In the first two duels of 2026, the USMNT was unable to compete against European rivals.
In the first duel against Belgium they were defeated with a score of 2-5; Four days later they faced Portugal and they added a new defeat 0-2. Pochettino’s team has not been able to hit the table in high-level duels against possible rivals in the round of 16.
Keep reading:
– Mauricio Pochettino would be in the Valid Madrid portfolio
– Mauricio Pochettino and his shaky passage through the United States
– Santiago Giménez analyzes his possible call to the 2026 World Cup
– David Ospina aims for a historic World Cup for Colombia
