For United States coach Gregg Berhalter, the possibility of having the 2026 World Cup final played in New Jersey holds a special significance. Growing up close to MetLife Stadium, the venue that will host the championship match of the expanded 48-nation, 104-game tournament, adds another layer of motivation for him. In an interview, Berhalter expressed his dream of potentially playing in a World Cup final just 15 minutes away from where he grew up, stating, “It would really be a dream come true.”
The Excitement of Hosting
FIFA has awarded the July 19 final to the home of the NFL’s New York Jets and Giants, providing the United States with the opportunity to host the final match. This World Cup will be unique as it will be spread across three nations, with Mexico and Canada also hosting 13 matches each. For the U.S. team, they will train at their national training center in suburban Atlanta and play their opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12.
Having the advantage of playing on home ground is something that excites Berhalter. With a talented core of players, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams, all in their mid-20s, the United States has a promising team. Berhalter draws inspiration from Morocco, which had a remarkable run to the semifinals in the previous World Cup, becoming the first African team to reach that stage in the tournament. He believes that anything is possible in football, and the U.S. should aim to replicate Morocco’s success.
Berhalter highlights the diversity within the U.S. team as a reflection of the country itself. He sees the beauty in the group and hopes that Americans can identify with the team when they see them play. The U.S. team represents the diversity and unity of the nation, and Berhalter hopes that this connection with the team will bring a sense of pride to the country.
Busy Schedule Ahead
As the host country, the U.S. won’t be required to participate in World Cup qualifiers. However, the team has a busy year ahead with two tournaments at home: the Concacaf Nations League and the Copa América. The U.S. is the defending champion of the Concacaf competition and will face Jamaica in the semifinals. In the Copa América, they will compete against Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay in the group stage.
Berhalter confirmed that defender Sergiño Dest will be included in the roster for the Nations League, despite being suspended for the match against Jamaica. He emphasized the importance of continued development for the team and expressed that World Cup qualifiers may not be necessary at this stage.
The prospect of the 2026 World Cup final being played in New Jersey provides Gregg Berhalter, the United States coach, with personal motivation. The opportunity to potentially play a World Cup final near his childhood home is a dream come true for him. As the host country, the United States is excited to showcase their talent on home ground and make the country proud. With a diverse team, led by promising young players, Berhalter aims to replicate the success of other underdog teams like Morocco. The U.S. team has a busy year ahead with two major tournaments, and Berhalter emphasizes the importance of continual development for the team’s progress.
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