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‘They’re going to go far’: USWNT icon Alex Morgan confident USMNT will surpass expectations at the World Cup

In an exclusive conversation, United States Women’s National Team legend Alex Morgan has voiced her belief that the U.S. men’s team can make a deep run at the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup, while also sharing her experience on how to handle the immense pressure that accompanies such a stage.

Few people understand the emotions leading up to a World Cup better than Alex Morgan. Having represented the U.S. women’s national team in three World Cups — and winning two of them — along with three Olympic appearances, Morgan has lived nearly every possible role on football’s grandest platform. She has been a regular starter, a substitute waiting for her chance, and at times, left off the squad completely. Now retired, Morgan remains deeply involved in the sport as an investor in women’s sports, co-founder of the media company Togethxr, and, in her own words, a full-time football mom.

Despite her busy schedule, Morgan took time to share her thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. men’s national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

“I’ve been both a bench player and a starter in World Cups, and things can change so quickly,” Morgan explained. “You can literally be player No. 26, or you can be the first player always called up, and it can change depending on your opponent, the team’s rhythm, and which players work best together. So just be ready. Always be ready.”

Morgan plans to attend all of the USMNT’s World Cup matches in Los Angeles and is optimistic about Mauricio Pochettino’s side making a strong impression. “I feel like they’re gonna go far,” she said.

Beyond her support for the national team, Morgan is also involved with brands connected to the tournament, serving as an ambassador for DraftKings. “This summer is obviously one of the biggest events in the world,” she noted. “I am an ambassador for DraftKings, and it’s wonderful to see them also investing in female athletes for such a major event.”

When it comes to the U.S. team’s approach, Morgan’s advice is straightforward: start strong. “I think the first game is the most important game for them to make their mark,” she said. “They can’t afford to fall behind and work their way into the tournament. They have to make a strong statement in game one.”

Call it national pride or sheer belief, but Morgan is fully backing the USMNT this summer. Having played 224 times for the USWNT and scoring 123 goals, she knows how quickly fortunes can shift in tournament football. Her career includes two World Cup titles, one Olympic gold medal, and an Olympic bronze. Drawing from that experience, she sees enough talent and attacking depth in the U.S. men’s roster to believe they can go far.

“I think that the men’s team has really good depth, and I think they have a lot of different options for threats on goal,” she observed. “There are many positives for this team. Their last game against Germany was a big step forward, and honestly, I feel like they’re going to go far.”

Now living in San Diego with her family, Morgan intends to be present for the USMNT’s group-stage fixtures. “I’m going to try and make as many games as I can,” she said, “but we’ll start with LA on Friday.”

While no one knows exactly what Mauricio Pochettino’s starting eleven will look like in their opening match against Paraguay, Morgan is more focused on the collective strength of the squad. She believes the team’s depth will allow it to evolve as the tournament progresses — a crucial factor in a competition where flexibility often determines success.

“I’m really interested to see exactly who the 11 they’re gonna go with, and how throughout the group stage that kind of morphs a little bit, because it always does,” she said. “I think they have good depth in the back line, with their wing-backs, their forward line too, and with their midfielders being very attack-minded as well. They can score goals in all different ways.”

For Morgan, the opening fixture will be key. The U.S. side doesn’t need to answer every question in one game, but she believes they must set the tone early. With the added pressure and emotion of playing a home World Cup, there’s little room to ease into the tournament.

Having faced criticism throughout her playing career, Morgan understands the mental resilience required to block out external noise. Now, with some distance from competition, she views the build-up to major tournaments with a more optimistic lens. “I think I’m just a lot more optimistic than maybe I was as a player,” she admitted. “I was always trying to tune out the noise, but when you see all the criticism, it’s hard not to look.”

That outlook resonates with the current USMNT, which has faced scrutiny over inconsistent performances in 2025 and questions about form and preparation. Yet Morgan insists that public opinion doesn’t always capture the full reality. “As I’ve gone through it many times, I’ve seen a lot of what’s been written and said about the men,” she said. “People claim they’re not prepared or that players aren’t peaking at the right time. There’s so much criticism, but I’ve been on the inside.”

She added, “You don’t want to peak early. Each player doesn’t have to be at their absolute best six months before a tournament or have the best season leading into the World Cup.”

For Morgan, that unpredictability is precisely what makes the World Cup magical. A player struggling beforehand can turn into a breakout star. A team with doubts can find confidence and momentum. She knows how quickly one match or one moment can alter everything. “I think for me, I’m just now way more optimistic,” she said. “Things can change so quickly in a tournament, for better or for worse, but I feel really good about this.”