Clint Dempsey questions whether U.S. is ‘truly ready’ for World Cup

A month from now, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin in North America. Overall, the USMNT is expected to contend for a medal.

However, former player Clint Dempsey believes the Americans aren’t prepared, per The Ryen Russillo Show. Specifically, Dempsey believed that receiving an All-American bid wasn’t sufficient preparation.

“I think the downside is you don’t really have competitive games, sharpening iron to make sure you’re truly ready for that tournament and have your backs against the wall and experience what it’s like to maybe not get the result you want away from home,” Dempsey said. “And being in a must-win situation, you’re on home soil and really fighting it out to truly deserve to be in the competition.”

Earlier, the USMNT skipped the CONCACAF qualifying rounds. They received an automatic bid as a co-host of the tournament.

Nevertheless, Dempsey spoke highly of going through the qualifying process.

“I think there was something beautiful about that,” he said. “Going through that qualifying process, preparing you to truly appreciate what it took to be able to play in a World Cup.”

Automatically qualifying by being the host nation isn't without its drawbacks@DraftKings #DKPartner pic.twitter.com/eUtmJUK5hs

— The Ryen Russillo Show (@TheRyenRussillo) May 6, 2026

Last year, Dempsey said that the Americans must reach the knockout stage. Anything that falls short of that will be considered a failure in his eyes.

Over the course of his career, Dempsey played in three World Cups (2006, 2010, and 2014).

The United States co-hosts the tournament with Mexico and Canada. The World Cup is set to begin on June 11. The Americans will play their first game on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against Paraguay.

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