3 months ago
Published
December 5, 2025 7:47pm PST
Excitement is building after Friday morning’s World Cup draw. In six months, the U.S. will host World Cup matches for the first time in more than three decades, with six of those games taking place in the Bay Area.
The draw provided teams with a clearer picture of their competition, and sports analysts believe Team USA is well-positioned to advance past the first round.
As a host country, Team USA was seeded to avoid facing high-ranking teams early on.
The tournament features 12 groups of four teams each, with elimination rounds leading to the final match that will crown the champion.
In Round 1, Team USA will face Paraguay, which has not appeared in the World Cup since 2010, and Australia. Their third opponent will be the winner of one of the European playoffs, yet to be determined.
Expert Opinions
Long-time Fox Sports analyst and former Team USA player in the 1990 World Cup, Christopher Sullivan, who has covered multiple World Cups, described the draw as favorable for Team USA.
"I think the path is there if they have the right mentality and they’re able to connect with their fanbase and get momentum," Sullivan said.
Earlier this year, Team USA defeated both Paraguay and Australia in matches.
USA’s coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed gratitude for the draw but emphasized humility and respect for opponents. He stressed that the team is not approaching the games with overconfidence.
"If we start to say, ‘no maybe it’s not too difficult to go through, we should win,’ before playing the games, that is a wrong mindset," Pochettino said. "We need to be strong in our belief, keep improving, thinking big, of course."
Former American player Chris Wondolowski, speaking at a watch party at Thrive City Friday morning, said, "This is the main focus, there is no resting my body, there is no waiting for the next tournament, waiting for the next call up, this is what you play for."
More Fans, More Teams, More Games
For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams. The addition of 16 new teams reflects the global growth of soccer and results in a very different draw this time.
"I think that because they’ve added 16 teams that you don’t really have a group of death," Sullivan said.
As 11 stadiums across the USA prepare for the event, Bay Area soccer fans eagerly anticipate the six matches hosted locally.
"To have this world platform to be able to showcase what the Bay has to offer, and also to be able to learn about different cultures and see the passion that the fans bring to these games, it’s going to be so special," Wondolowski said.
Bay Area Fans to Welcome Superstar Lionel Messi
Five of the matches will be Group Stage games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, along with one Round of 32 knockout match. Lionel Messi is expected to play for Argentina in what is anticipated to be his final World Cup appearance before retirement.
"This will be his last dance and a beautiful opportunity to finish on a high," Sullivan said.
What’s Next
Team USA will learn their third opponent in March after the European playoffs conclude.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, with Team USA’s first match scheduled for June 12.
FIFA World Cup
