The Final Tuneups: What USMNT's Belgium & Portugal Friendlies Tell Us About World Cup Readiness
In exactly three months, the USMNT will kick off their World Cup 2026 campaign in front of a home crowd. But before that historic moment arrives, Mauricio Pochettino has one final message to deliver: the job isn't done yet.
This Friday and Monday—March 28 and 31—the USMNT faces back-to-back friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, Georgia. These aren't throwaway tune-ups. They're the last real test before June, and for soccer parents and young players watching, they tell you everything about where this team stands.
Why These Friendlies Matter
Pochettino called up 26 players for this camp—a deeper squad than most. That's deliberate. With 100 days until the World Cup opens, he's still testing combinations, evaluating depth, and most importantly, building mental toughness.
Playing Belgium and Portugal—two top-10 ranked nations—isn't about padding the resume. It's about playing against world-class pressure in a competitive environment. Your kids can learn from this: the difference between "good enough" and "ready" is often a few minutes against an opponent that doesn't forgive mistakes.
Belgium is the chess match. They play patient, possession-heavy soccer. Watch how USMNT's midfield (Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie) handles Belgium's rhythm control. This is about positioning without the ball—understanding space, not just filling it.
Portugal is the pressure cooker. Bruno Fernandes will probe. Diogo Jota will run. This friendly tests how USMNT transitions, how they press high, whether they stay composed when Portugal's technical quality makes them uncomfortable. This is the match where mentality shows up.
The Players Who Need This Most
Not everyone on the 23-man World Cup roster is a lock. Some players are fighting for minutes. These friendlies are their audition.
Folau Kaolaki and Antonee Robinson at fullback. The left/right side will be critical against Europe's best wingers. Watching how they handle Portugal's wing play tells you everything about USMNT's defensive shape at the World Cup.
Sergiño Dest (if fit) or whoever lines up left mid. This position has been a revolving door. Consistency here could change the entire team's balance.
The striker question. Will it be Folau Kaolaki up top? A winger tucked in? Pochettino is still deciding. Belgium and Portugal will show him the answer. Your kids: watch how strikers feel the space, make runs into the channels, anticipate passes. This isn't just about finishing—it's about positioning.
What You Should Watch For
1. The press. Does USMNT win the ball in the attacking third? Or do they sit deep and let Belgium/Portugal dominate possession? Pochettino's philosophy is aggressive pressing—watch whether the team can sustain it.
2. Set pieces. Belgium is dangerous from corners. Watch USMNT's defensive organization. The World Cup is decided by details. Set pieces are details.
3. Second-half adjustments. The best teams don't just play 45 minutes—they adapt. If USMNT is struggling, does Pochettino find a fix? Or do they crumble? That's the difference between quarterfinals and home by June.
4. Who shines. Someone will. Maybe it's a fullback. Maybe it's a midfielder stepping into a role. Pay attention. The World Cup rosters aren't always obvious—sometimes a player earns their place in the final month.
For Young Players: The Lesson Here
These friendlies matter to the USMNT, but they matter to you too. Here's what you should take away:
The biggest tournament of your life isn't won in September. It's won in the friendlies you play three months before. Every practice, every small game, every match against a "better" team—that's your tuneup. That's when you build the habits that carry you through pressure.
You don't peak early. Pochettino could have locked in the squad two months ago. Instead, he's still pushing. He's still competing. He's still asking "is this the best we can be?" That's the mindset that wins World Cups.
Watch Gio Reyna this Friday. Watch Tyler Adams dig into tackles. Watch how Pulisic presses when the team is losing the ball. That's professional soccer. Not the highlight reel—the work ethic.
Three Months to Go
Belgium and Portugal will be tough. USMNT might lose one or both. That's actually fine. Pochettino doesn't need wins—he needs information. He needs to see who steps up. He needs to see who folds. He needs to see who's ready for Lyon, Kansas City, and Seattle.
And honestly? As a soccer parent, you need to see it too. These friendlies are your final scouting report before summer. Pay attention. Appreciate what these players are about to do. In three months, they'll be representing your country on the world's biggest stage.
Make sure they're ready. Make sure you understand what it means to be ready.
USMNT vs. Belgium: Friday, March 28 • 7:00 PM ET • Atlanta, Georgia
USMNT vs. Portugal: Monday, March 31 • 7:00 PM ET • Atlanta, Georgia
The final tuneup starts now.