Amid its ongoing struggles with results, the United States Men’s National Team is preparing two high-profile friendlies as part of its final build-up to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to The Athletic, the USMNT is close to finalizing matches against Portugal and Belgium for the FIFA international window in March.
Portugal is also being lined up as Mexico’s opponent during that window, with the Mexican Federation eager to have Cristiano Ronaldo’s side serve as the guest of honor for the reopening of the iconic Estadio Azteca ahead of the World Cup. This situation has opened the door for U.S. Soccer to negotiate with its Portuguese counterpart to bring Ronaldo and company to face the USMNT, with talks reportedly at an advanced stage.
The team’s second opponent would be Belgium, currently ranked eighth in the FIFA world rankings, providing a significant challenge for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad as it navigates a difficult period following the recent defeat to South Korea in New Jersey.
While negotiations for the March fixtures are progressing, a key issue still to be resolved is the choice of venues. According to The Athletic, U.S. Soccer is considering NFL stadiums on the East Coast to host the friendlies against Portugal and Belgium.
With these plans, the USMNT’s path toward the World Cup is becoming increasingly clear. In October and November, the team will face Ecuador, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Then, in January 2026, the U.S. will seek an opponent for its traditional camp—a challenge since the period does not fall on a FIFA date, limiting availability. Finally, the anticipated March clashes with Portugal and Belgium would be followed by two additional friendlies in June, just before the World Cup begins.