Column: This was everything that USMNT, soccer in the USA and big-money FIFA could have hoped for. It will only get better if Pochettino keeps getting the best out of Pulisic, Balogun and Co. in a buzzing World Cup. talksport.com/football/world… @talkSPORT

Column: FIFA's forced hydration breaks inside stadiums with A/C are being knocked by USMNT and Netherlands for a reason -- they're a horrible look for the beautiful game talksport.com/football/world… @talkSPORT

The World Cup

🚨 Joint-statement from Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire expressing their “profound disappointment” following the recent comments made by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin arguing the expanded World Cup will create “uninteresting” games. “We respectfully but firmly reject these comments. “For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match. “For Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan, qualification for the FIFA World Cup represents a historic achievement and the realization of a dream shared by generations. “For nations such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football’s biggest stage after a long absence carries a special meaning for millions of supporters who have waited years, and in some cases decades, for this moment. “To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognize the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world. “Behind every qualification stand years of work and investment. Behind every national team stand entire communities and millions of people who see football as a source of pride, hope and unity. “Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality. The FIFA World Cup is the world’s greatest football competition precisely because it brings together different cultures, different histories and different football journeys. “For many countries, participation in the FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting achievement. It is a moment that inspires a generation, accelerates football development and creates memories that last a lifetime. “We believe that every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team has earned its place on merit. Every supporter has the right to dream. Every match carries meaning for millions of people around the world. “We therefore reject the UEFA President’s comments and reaffirm our belief that the growth of football must continue to create opportunities, inspire new generations and strengthen the truly global nature of our game. “Every team qualified on merit. “Every match matters.”

Texans could’ve used a few forced hydration breaks inside NRG back in the day 😉

They really thought the United States and their stadiums weren't going to deliver an all-time historic sporting event and atmosphere 🇺🇸🤣

Houston Stadium looks great from London 🌎 ⚽️

This chaotic World Cup -- dreamt up by FIFA in the pursuit of the almighty dollar -- could be a ton of fun. It will be if USMNT takes over America this summer and allows a huge, proud country to forget about its problems for a couple brilliant months. talksport.com/football/world…

Final NFL preseason game or World Cup? Yeesh, FIFA.

Historic Night, Historic Audience! 🇺🇸⚽️📺 The Stars and Stripes soared into the records books last night posting the most-watched @USMNT telecast ever and most-watched FIFA Men’s World Cup Group Stage telecast in English-language US history.

Great to see 🙌

Will soccer ever be a major sport in the USA? It sure as heck was on Friday night in one of the best games USMNT has ever played. This is what the 2026 World Cup was hoping to be. talksport.com/football/world… @talkSPORT

Secret meaning behind Gio Reyna’s viral World Cup goal celebration talksport.com/football/world…

Full USMNT video react on @talkSPORT this AM 🇺🇸⚽️ 'This was everything that US soccer fans could have hoped for.' youtube.com/watch?v=VDGJa2hj…

USA kickstart 'amazing' World Cup and prove $6m Mauricio Pochettino was worth it talksport.com/football/world…

🔟 "Can be a top 10 manager!" 🔥 "The best of Pochettino we saw on the pitch last night!" Pochettino proved he can still be one of the best managers in the world with his USA side's demolition of Paraguay, talkSPORT told! 👏

Clint Dempsey tells Jesse Marsch to 'stay in your lane' in brutal take down talksport.com/football/world…

Of course a Dallas Cowboy picked Tuchel over Pochettino

Seventh-largest crowd to ever watch USMNT in a World Cup match and largest since 1994.

Folarin Balogun has picked up a perfect 10 rating following the USMNT's 4-1 thumping of Paraguay in their World Cup opener, with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie bagging a solid 9/10. 🔥 Do you think the USA are this year's dark horses? 👀🇺🇸