This is the USA's roadmap to winning the World Cup now that they've made the knockout round

The United States men’s national team is doing historic things. They have put the world on notice that they are a real threat, while doing something that had not been accomplished at the World Cup since 1930: win its first two matches.

Here is a little history lesson before I tell you how USMNT can ride this momentum and win this whole thing. Yes, I’m serious. If Zlatan thinks the United States can win the World Cup, so do I.

The 1930 U.S. team won its first two matches, beating Belgium and Paraguay, eventually reaching the semifinals, which remains the best finish in American men’s World Cup history. This group now has an opportunity to do something no U.S. men’s team has ever done: turn an encouraging start into a legitimate championship run.

After opening the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, the United States followed it with a composed 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle. The results did more than send the Americans through to the knockout stage. They clinched first place in Group D, and though it sounds crazy to say after years of disappointment, they gave themselves a legitimate path to win the World Cup, while never having to play any games on Canadian or Mexican soil.

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The road to World Cup victory is difficult, but it is as I said, unusually favorable geographically. The Americans are scheduled to play their Round of 32 match at Levi’s Stadium, now called San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, on July 1. The United States is currently projected to face Ivory Coast in the World Cup Round of 32 on July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, though its opponent will not be official until FIFA finalizes the table of the eight best third-place teams. 

If the U.S. advances, the bracket could quickly become unforgiving. Belgium is a potential Round-of-16 opponent, where they would play them in Seattle on July 6. Spain, Colombia or Croatia could await in the quarterfinal on July 10 in Los Angeles. A semifinal in Texas could bring juggernauts France, Germany, Netherlands or Morocco. Then there is the possibility of defending champions Argentina, Brazil, England, Portugal, or another global power in the final.

In other words, winning the World Cup would not simply require the U.S. to play well. It would require the Americans to beat several teams with deeper tournament pedigree, more Champions League experience, and more players accustomed to the pressure of title-deciding matches.

USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino's biggest task is to preserve the identity that has gotten the U.S. here, while improving the areas that could be punished by elite opponents.

The Americans have shown they can press, attack with speed and create plays through wide areas, thanks to Pochettino's strategy. They have also shown they can win without Christian Pulisic, who missed the Australia match with a calf issue. But against the world’s best teams, the U.S. cannot be reckless. Its defensive shape must be more disciplined, its midfield must control longer stretches of possession, and its transition defense must eliminate the kind of open-field chances that a France, Spain, or Argentina will punish.

Pochettino also has to manage the group-stage finale against Turkey, intelligently. The U.S. has already secured first place, meaning rest, injury management and preserving legs for the knockout stage should matter more than chasing another statement result.

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Christian Pulisic must return healthy and become the player who changes knockout matches. The U.S. does not need him to carry every possession, but it needs him to produce decisive moments: a goal, a final pass, a foul drawn in a dangerous area or the individual play that breaks open a tense match. They’ve scored quickly in each of their first two matches. If they can shift the momentum in their favor like that in the knockout stage as well, they’ll be in good shape.

Folarin Balogun must keep giving the U.S. a true striker’s presence. His movement, pressure and ability to turn crosses into chances have been a catalyst to their success so far. Against elite teams, he may only get one or two clean looks. He has to finish them.

The midfield, led by players such as Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie, has to become the engine of the tournament. Adams must protect the back line and set the tone physically. McKennie must win second balls, arrive in the box and create chaos on set pieces. Musah has to use his ability on the ball to escape pressure and carry the U.S. from defense into attack.

The defense must be ruthless. Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest and the rest of the back line cannot merely survive against elite attackers. They have to win individual battles, defend the far post, avoid cheap giveaways and make the kind of clearances and blocks that define World Cup runs. The U.S. has allowed only one goal through two matches, but the knockout stage will test whether that record is sustainable against better opponents.

Finally, the Americans must become a team that believes it belongs. They can’t afford to get lost in the Cinderella storyline. That sounds simple, but World Cups are often decided by whether a talented group plays cautiously against a giant or plays as if it has earned the right to win. The U.S. has home crowds, momentum, a favorable travel setup and now a piece of history behind it.

The Americans are not favorites to win the World Cup, obviously. While there is hope, the respect has not been earned by international fans, analysts and sportsbooks. France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany and Portugal still carry more established championship credentials. But the United States has put itself in position to make history and establish themselves like our women’s team has.