USMNT captain Tyler Adams said a home World Cup will bring added pride and energy as the U.S. prepares to open against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Tyler Adams says the U.S. men’s national team is embracing the emotion of playing a World Cup on home soil, with its 2026 opener against Paraguay set for June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, the USMNT captain said the sight of American colors around the team is part of what makes the moment different from a World Cup abroad. The U.S. is preparing for Group D play with high expectations from home fans and a tournament atmosphere that will stretch across American host cities.
“I think when we’re pulling up to a game, and you see the Stars and Stripes and the red, white and blue — just gets you in that patriotic mood,” Adams said. “That’s the honor of representing the country.”
Adams played in his first World Cup in 2022, when the U.S. advanced from the group stage in Qatar before losing to the Netherlands in the Round of 16. That experience, he said, shaped how he now thinks about managing the pressure of the tournament, especially for teammates who have not yet played on that stage.
His message is to avoid looking too far ahead. Adams said the group has to stay focused “game by game, moment by moment, pass by pass,” rather than getting caught up in what might come later in the bracket.
The United States is scheduled to play group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Adams said both cities are familiar environments for the team and praised their broader sports fan bases, adding that he hopes the crowds will be heavily tilted toward the U.S.
“I can’t wait for our fans to turn up,” he said.
Beyond the national team, Adams also discussed his work with Scotts on its “Keep It Real” initiative, which the report said is aimed at expanding youth sports access and green space. The effort has funded more than $432,000 and, in partnership with Every Kid Sports, supported more than 2,000 children across 48 states. Adams said the project included restoring the field where he played as a child.
For the USMNT, the immediate focus remains the opener in Los Angeles. How the team handles the emotion of a home World Cup may help shape whether it can turn that support into a longer run after group play.
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