The U.S. men’s national team eagerly awaits the Dec. 5, 2026 World Cup group stage draw to learn its fate for next summer. Although there’s a wide array of possibilities, the draw could set up an absolute nightmare scenario for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The USMNT finished its 2025 action with a majestic display in a 5–1 victory against Uruguay. The result followed a strong run of five straight unbeaten games to close the year. Since the October international action, Pochettino unlocked the best his side has to offer whilst still missing some key players that will surely contribute in next summer’s World Cup.
However, the positive momentum built in recent months could come crashing down if the group stage draw is unkind for the Stars and Stripes. Although the USMNT will avoid many of the favorites given it’s automatically placed in pot 1 of the draw, there are other really strong sides that could end up sharing a group with Pochettino’s side.
The USMNT already knows when and where it’ll play as the top seed in Group D. The only thing left to know is who it’ll play and, if the worst case scenario materializes, then Mauricio Pochettino’s side could find itself in the infamous “Group of Death.”
Here’s the worst possible outcome for the USMNT in the upcoming World Cup group stage draw.
