Why the USMNT's Copa America performance sets the stage for the 2026 World Cup

In the next two years, the US Men's National Team will play two major soccer tournaments on home soil, and the Stars and Stripes can carry their momentum from the 2024 Copa America to the 2026 World Cup to achieve excellent results in both tournaments.

The USMNT already started 2024 in winning ways, defeating Mexico 2-0 to win the CONCACAF Nations League in March, and now, they are preparing for Copa America 2024. For the first time since 2016, this historic tournament returns to United. Countries, cities and stadiums across the country will host all 32 games.

The USA is drawn in Group C along with Uruguay, Bolivia and Panama. After two tough Copa America games against Colombia and Brazil, Gregg Berhalter's men have a lot to prove in their first test of the tournament on June 23 against Bolivia.

Although the Stars and Stripes are focused on their performance in the next few weeks, their performance in Copa America 2024 is more than doing well in this tournament. In fact, the USMNT should use their games and their tournament as a stepping stone to the 2026 World Cup.

This summer, the USMNT has a rare opportunity to play and develop alongside some of the best tournaments in the world. Copa America 2024 features some of the best soccer players, including Argentina's Lionel Messi and Vinicius Jr. from Brazil, and the USA sees where it is among the stars. again their countries before the 2026 World Cup.

Berhalter's team has the potential to answer many questions ahead of the World Cup and is laying the foundations for its future success in all areas of the pitch.

USMNT defense at Copa America 2024

USA's defense suffered a major blow when their starting right back, Sergiño Dest, tore his ACL in April. Stepping into his role is Borussia Mönchengladbach's Joe Scally. The 21-year-old must help his back line shut down threats in every tournament, but especially those from Colombia or Brazil, two teams the USA could face in the Copa America quarterfinals again in 2026.

Although Scally may lose his place in the Dest when the right-back is ready again, he now gets a chance to develop into one of the world's biggest divisions and announce himself as a reliable backup if Berhalter needs him to step up to the 2026 Worlds. Cup.

Tim Ream's performances this summer must also be top-notch if the defender is to expect to make the Stars and Stripes starting XI in 2026, when he will be 38. Cameron Carter-Vickers could get minutes for the Copa America to give Berhalter another option at fullback for the future.

The USMNT's home stadium for Copa America 2024

It's no secret that the USMNT midfielder has had a number of rotating players not playing at their best positions over the past few years. In the end, however, there is some consensus with Gio Reyna and Weston McKennie. The two players must continue to build their chemistry this summer, both on their own with their forwards.

There are also up-and-coming stars like Johnny Cardoso and Malik Tillman, learning from veterans in the squad about what it takes to control a game in midfield against top-level competition like Uruguay's Fede Valverde, who the USA will play in July. 1.

Should Cardoso and Tillman come off the bench for Copa America 2024, they will be ready when their numbers are called in 2026.

USMNT forwards for Copa America 2024

Arguably more important than fixing the defense or midfield are the USMNT players. Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah need a consistent striker between them to lock down the USA's attacking trio.

In the past few months alone, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, and Ricardo Pepi have started at forward, and Josh Sargent might have been on the list too had he not been injured. A true No. 9 needs to emerge this summer so the USMNT doesn't have the same goal scoring problems they had at the last World Cup.

Balogun's job is to be defeated, and if the AS Monaco man has an impressive tournament, the USA could finally be able to keep up with their top three as they look to run in the World Cup at home.