After the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia, Zlatan Ibrahimović was asked on Fox Sports if Team USA can win the 2026 World Cup—and answered “Yes,” adding fuel to a run that has the Americans already through to the round of 32. The U.S. next faces Türkiye on June
The question was simple, even pointed: can the United States actually win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
In the postgame noise after Team USA’s latest statement performance, Zlatan Ibrahimović didn’t hesitate.
On Friday, the USMNT dismantled Team Australia 2-0, with both goals coming in the first half. That win didn’t just keep the momentum rolling—it punched the U.S. ticket to the round of 32, the kind of early placement that immediately changes the tone around a tournament. When Ibrahimović was asked on the Fox Sports postgame show if he believes the U.S. has what it takes to go all the way, he answered with a single word.
“Zlatan, I want one word from you,” co-host Jordan Schultz asked. “Can the U.S. win this World Cup? Yes, or no?”
“Yes,” Ibrahimović responded.
It was an endorsement delivered without qualifiers, the kind that lands differently when a team is already looking sharp in pool play.
The backdrop is something the U.S. has lived with at every World Cup since the tournament began in 1930: the men’s team has never won the World Cup. Its best finish came in 1930, when Team USA placed third. Since then. the United States has reached the round of 32 several times. but it has not been able to get to the final stage and compete for the championship.
And yet, as this tournament starts to take shape, the men’s team isn’t carrying the same “catch up” feeling many Americans are used to seeing. With this year’s early performances, the USMNT has felt “a bit different,” ultra-competitive in its first two games.
While the men’s history at the World Cup is a familiar storyline, the contrast with Team USA’s women’s side remains stark. The U.S. women have won the tournament four times—1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019.
For now, the focus shifts back to the field. After the Australia victory, the USMNT will play again on Thursday, June 25, when it meets Türkiye in the third and final match of pool play.
USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup Zlatan Ibrahimović Team USA Australia Türkiye pool play round of 32
Zlatan said yes so it’s basically guaranteed right?
I mean USA beat Australia 2-0 so I get the hype but World Cup is a whole different beast. Still though if Zlatan backs them, maybe they’ll actually make it past the group stage for once.
Wait I thought Türkiye match already happened? Like this article says Thursday June 25 but Fox always posts late. Also if we already through to round of 32 then what’s even the point of pool play, ya know?
Zlatan backing them is nice but I’m still side-eyeing the whole thing. Men haven’t won since forever and now everybody acts like the curse is broken? And then they mention the women won 4 times like that automatically means the men will too, which… doesn’t really track to me. Anyway go USA I guess, just don’t jinx it after one good game.