Following a disappointing early exit from the Copa America, US Men’s National Team coach Gregg Berhalter maintained his confidence in his ability to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will host alongside Canada and Mexico. Despite the team’s failure to advance from the group stage, a feat never before accomplished by a Copa America host nation, Berhalter remained steadfast, asserting that he should remain at the helm for the upcoming World Cup.
However, Berhalter’s confidence was not shared by many analysts and former players. Clint Dempsey, a former US striker, voiced his belief that Berhalter should be replaced, arguing that the team’s performance has not shown significant progress since the last World Cup. Former US women’s striker Carli Lloyd echoed Dempsey’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for a fresh start to reignite the team and hold players accountable.
Alexi Lalas, a former US international defender, expressed concern that allowing Berhalter to continue as coach would squander the opportunity presented by hosting the 2026 World Cup. Lalas emphasized the need for a unifying figure to bring the country together during the tournament, arguing that Berhalter’s leadership has failed to inspire confidence in the team’s direction.
The calls for Berhalter’s dismissal come after the US suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Uruguay, eliminating them from the Copa America. The team had previously started the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia before losing 2-1 to Panama. Berhalter acknowledged that the Panama loss had put the team in a difficult position, and he vowed to conduct a comprehensive review of the tournament to identify areas for improvement. Despite the widespread criticism, Berhalter maintained his position that he should be the one to lead the US into the 2026 World Cup, declaring “Yes” when asked if he should take the team to the tournament.
The debate over Berhalter’s future as coach is likely to intensify as the 2026 World Cup approaches. The pressure on Berhalter will be immense, particularly if the US fails to show significant improvement in the coming years. The upcoming World Cup, held on home soil, presents a unique opportunity for the US to make a deep run in the tournament, and the team’s success will largely depend on the decisions made by US Soccer regarding Berhalter’s future.
