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All footballers around the world dream of playing in the World Cup: it is the greatest opportunity to achieve glory for generations to come.
However, playing in a World Cup in your home country is something else entirely, and the United States men’s national team will get to experience that in a month when it kicks off the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Tyler Adams, the USMNT captain, experienced his first World Cup in 2022 when he traveled to Qatar with his teammates and coaches. They had some success, but ultimately lost to the Netherlands in the round of 16.
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Tyler Adams of the United States greets fans after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round of 16 match against Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
It may not have been the result the United States wanted in Qatar, but now at home, Adams knows the entire team is ready to show themselves to all their supporters across the country.
There is more than enough patriotic pride for this group.
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“I think when we get close to a game and you see the stars and stripes and the red, white and blue, you get in that patriotic mood,” Adams told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview, while highlighting his work with Scotts ahead of the World Cup. “That is the honor of representing the country.
“Everyone really comes together, whether they watch football or have never seen it before, there’s one thing about putting on an event in America. They always do it well. I can’t wait for our fans to show up.”
The United States will begin its World Cup journey in Los Angeles against Paraguay on June 12 to begin play in Group D. For some veterans like Adams, the pressure of the World Cup is something they have become accustomed to. But as a team leader, he knows that those who are not prepared for this type of match will need some advice.
Tyler Adams of the United States moves with the ball during a match against Costa Rica at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 29, 2025. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
“You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself,” he said. “I feel like, because we were a little young and naive coming into the first tournament, we were like, ‘Oh, what’s next? How are we going to get to the next stage?’ You can’t worry about it because it’s not under your control right now. It’s game by game, moment by moment, pass by pass where you can have an impact. “I think, for us, it’s about focusing on the details of each game, but taking it game by game.”
Of course, all players want to enjoy the moment of playing in a World Cup, whether it is their first or last time on the field for the tournament. Adams admitted it’s hard to do because of the attention to detail and heated competition, telling his teammates that “it’s over in the blink of an eye.”
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But there’s no doubt how special this one will be for those who represent the Stars and Stripes. They will play in Los Angeles and Seattle during their group stage matches, but they also want to advance to the knockout stage, which will be played in other cities in the United States.
“I think it’s good because we’ve played in both environments before, and both cities have incredible fan bases in sports in general,” Adams said of his expectation of seeing the American faithful in Los Angeles and Seattle. “So I think the support will be there. I hope it will be a great American fan, as it should be at a World Cup at home. I’m excited to play in front of friends and family.”
GROWING THE GAME WITH SCOTTS
Speaking of growing the game, Scotts, North America’s leading lawn care brand, partnered with Adams with its “Keep It Real” initiative, which aims to expand access to youth sports and green spaces, funding more than $432,000 while partnering with “Every Kid Sports” to help more than 2,000 kids in 48 states.
Tyler Adams of the United States watches before the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Round of 16 match between Netherlands and United States at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022. (Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images)
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As part of the effort, Scotts and Adams, who are highlighting the value of natural grass in terms of safer play, helped restore natural grass fields where the next generation can play the game. One of them was even the countryside of his hometown.
“When they came to me with this idea and this initiative, it was pretty simple. I think one of the most important things I need to do now as a professional athlete is give back to my community. That being said, I’m giving back to my community with the partnership where we had a field day last summer and we’re restoring the field I played on as a kid. It was great to come home and see that a brand I’m working with supports the ideas that I have and I give back to that community. Really, very grateful for that and the partnership. We’re starting to do really good things.
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