Landon Donovan urges US team to win group and inspire fans

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin in the United States, former U.S. captain Landon Donovan has outlined both the expectations and the broader opportunity facing the host nation's team. In a series of interviews this week, Donovan emphasized that success for the U.S. Men's National Team must be measured by both results on the field and by creating iconic moments that can accelerate soccer's growth in the country.

The U.S. will open its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on Friday in Inglewood, California, near SoFi Stadium. Donovan, whose stoppage-time winner against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup remains a landmark moment in American soccer, said the current squad faces high expectations due to a favorable group stage draw. He stated that the team should aim to win its group, which would provide an easier path for a deep tournament run.

Beyond advancing, Donovan stressed the importance of creating a defining performance that captures the public's imagination, similar to his 2010 goal or Tim Howard's 16-save display against Belgium in 2014. He argued that such moments have the power to create millions of new fans, calling the players not just athletes but ambassadors for...