Clint Dempsey on USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Hopes and Growing Soccer’s Future

The United States is gearing up for a historic moment in soccer, co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico—the first time since 1994. Soccer legend Clint Dempsey, whose passion for the game still burns bright, sees this as a golden opportunity for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) to ignite mainstream American interest. But he’s got a touch of nerves, and for good reason.

“A strong showing could change everything,” Dempsey told WTFNewsRoom. “Back in ’94, the World Cup in Dallas sparked a soccer surge. If the USMNT delivers in 2026, the sky’s the limit.” Yet, last year’s Copa América flop—where the U.S. became the only host nation to crash out in the group stage—has left a bitter taste. “It was a failure, plain and simple,” Dempsey said, not mincing words.

Hope, however, isn’t lost. With new head coach Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, Dempsey believes a solid Gold Cup performance could set the stage for World Cup success. “Get out of the group stage, and anything can happen in the knockouts,” he said. The USMNT has reached the knockout rounds in their last two World Cups, so the blueprint is there.

Beyond the pitch, Dempsey is on a mission to grow the game. Partnering with Abbott, the health and nutrition partner of Real Madrid, he’s helping launch the Abbott Dream Team. This summer, tryouts for 18- and 19-year-olds will take place in cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles. The top 11 players will jet off to Real Madrid’s training grounds in Spain, all expenses paid. “It’s personal for me,” Dempsey said. “Dallas is where I started. Giving kids a shot to chase their dreams—that’s what it’s all about.”

With six kids of his own, Dempsey knows a thing or two about nurturing dreams. “Life’s about giving back,” he said. “Whether it’s coaching my kids or helping young players learn nutrition to sustain a career, it’s all connected.” As the World Cup looms, the pressure is on. For Dempsey, anything less than escaping the group stage in 2026 would be, in his words, “a failure.” But if the U.S. can seize this moment, soccer might just become America’s next big obsession.