United States women's national team legend Alex Morgan expressed strong optimism for the U. S.
men's national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
She stated the squad possesses the depth and quality to secure a deep tournament run during interviews reported this week.
The USMNT begins its tournament campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday night under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Morgan, who retired from professional soccer in 2024 after earning 224 caps and scoring 123 goals, will attend group stage matches in Los Angeles to support the team.
She shared insight regarding roster dynamics and the rapid adjustments required during major international tournaments, drawing from her extensive career that included two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal.
"I've been both a bench player and a starter in World Cups, and things can change so quickly," Morgan told GOAL.
The former striker emphasized that positional depth across the roster allows the coaching staff multiple tactical variations to generate scoring opportunities as the competition progresses.
"You can literally be player No. 26, or you can be the first player that's always called up, and it can change based on your opponent, based on the rhythm of the team, and who plays well together.
So just be ready. Always be ready," Morgan told GOAL.
The retired forward noted that establishing early momentum remains vital for the tournament hosts to establish themselves in the group stage.
"I feel like they're gonna go far," Morgan told GOAL.
Morgan also highlighted corporate support for female soccer players during the major global sports event.
"This summer is obviously one of the biggest events in the world," Morgan told GOAL.
The soccer icon reiterated that execution in the opening match remains the priority for the squad to prevent playing from behind.
"I am an ambassador of DraftKings, and it's great to see them also investing in female athletes for such a major event like this," Morgan told GOAL.
The USMNT enters the tournament following mixed results during its preparation matches in 2025 and early 2026 camps.
"I think the first game is the most important game for them to make their mark," Morgan told GOAL.
Morgan pointed to recent performances against high-level European opposition as evidence of the squad's development and tactical flexibility across all lines.
"They can't have to catch up and work their way into the tournament. They have to make a strong statement in game one," Morgan told GOAL.
The current American roster features 13 players who previously reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before falling to the Netherlands.
"I think that the men's team has really good depth, and I think they have a lot of different options for threats on goal," Morgan told GOAL.
The tournament marks the first time the United States has hosted the men's tournament since 1994, sharing hosting duties with Canada and Mexico.
"So I think that there are a lot of positives for this team, for sure.
I think their last game against Germany was really a good step forward, and I honestly feel like they're going to go far," Morgan told GOAL.
Morgan plans to maintain a close presence during the initial stage of the tournament while balancing her post-retirement business operations in women's sports investment.
"I'm going to try and make as many games as I can," Morgan told GOAL.
The former national team captain remarked that she monitors the tournament buildup with an adjusted viewpoint compared to her playing days.
"but we'll start with LA on Friday," Morgan told GOAL.
Morgan noted the strategic versatility available to Pochettino, pointing out the attacking mindset present within the midfield and defensive flanks.
"I'm really interested to see exactly who the 11 they're gonna go with, and how then throughout the group stage that kind of morphs a little bit, because it always does," Morgan told GOAL.
The USMNT has not advanced past the quarterfinal stage of a World Cup since securing a semifinal appearance in 1930.
"I think that they have good depth in the back line, with their wing backs, with their forward line too, and just with their midfielders being very attacking-minded as well.
They can score goals in all different ways," Morgan told GOAL.
Morgan acknowledged the difficulty athletes face when navigating external media evaluations during the high-pressure environment of a World Cup.
"I think I'm just a lot more optimistic than maybe I was as a player," Morgan told GOAL.
In a separate appearance on SportsCenter on Tuesday, Morgan defined the baseline expectation for the American squad during the tournament.
"I was always trying to tune out the noise, but obviously, seeing all the criticism come, it's really hard to just not look," Morgan told GOAL.
Morgan explained that the squad should capitalize on the home-field advantage and the tournament experience retained by half of the current selection.
"I think that making it to the Round of 16 is probably kind of the threshold for this team," Morgan said on SportsCenter.
USMNT attacker Christian Pulisic provided his perspective on evaluating the team's success during a prior discussion with Newsweek.
"If we make it there, and we advance, that's a huge success.
If we make it there and we don't [advance], I wouldn't say that it's a failure by any means," Morgan said on SportsCenter.
Pulisic underscored that personal and collective effort serves as his primary measurement for a successful campaign rather than a specific round placement.
"But I think that that's kind of like the threshold where, like, OK, we're in the U. S.
They have that momentum that they should feel — the excitement and that 12th man energy — so now it's kind of leaning into that.
And also, using the previous World Cups from those 13 players to be like, 'OK, we've been here; we've done this before.
Now, how can we continue to take this team even further?'" Morgan said on SportsCenter.
The USMNT matching its 2002 quarterfinal finish or surpassing it remains the target for supporters nationwide as the tournament gets underway at SoFi Stadium.
"To be honest, I just want to be able to look back on it whenever it's done and have zero regrets and feel like we gave everything as a team.
I don't think it's necessary to pick how far we have to go for it to be a success or not.
I think there's so many other metrics that we can judge it by. Of course, we want to win the World Cup.
You're never gonna be excited anytime you go out.
For us, I just think it's looking back with no regrets and feeling like we left everything out there.
If we do that, I feel like we can look back and at least be proud," Christian Pulisic told Newsweek.
