Reports have emerged that claim Mauricio Pochettino is set to take on England in a friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup, held on home soil.
The national team under the most pressure to perform well at the 2026 World Cup is the United States. With players out plying their trade in major European leagues and the recent appointment of Mauricio Pochettino, the hope is that they are able to make significant improvements on the pitch. Given the huge failure at the 2024 Copa América and the September friendly wobbles 1-2 vs Canada; 1-1 vs New Zealand), a huge test may well be on the horizon: England.
According to The Athletic, the Football Association (FA) and U.S. Soccer are in discussions for a friendly match between the two teams as part of their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. While some details still need to be finalised, the match is tentatively scheduled for June 2025.
USMNT friendly: date, time, location
The friendly match would likely take place mid-next year, as both England and the U.S. have packed schedules, including participation in the UEFA Nations League and CONCACAF Nations League, where both teams are considered strong contenders. This matchup would be particularly interesting for Pochettino, given that much of his career has been spent in England.
For England, their schedule includes UEFA Nations League matches in October (against Greece/Finland) and November (against Greece/Ireland). Additionally, they will begin their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in early 2025. Meanwhile, the U.S. has friendlies lined up against Panama and Mexico, as well as the Nations League quarterfinals in November and the Final Four in March of next year.
As for a potential location, the only information that has been suggested is that the game would likely take place on the east coast. However, a venue and city have not yet been decided as per the report.
The United States and England were in the same group at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where their match on the second day ended in a goalless draw at Al Bayt Stadium. Notably, the teams were coached by Gareth Southgate and Gregg Berhalter, both of whom have since stepped down from their roles.
The last time these teams faced each other on U.S. soil was in 2005, with England securing a 2-1 victory. Kieran Richardson scored both goals for the Three Lions, while Clint Dempsey netted the only goal for the U.S.