Nick Wright’s Best, Worst Case Scenarios For USA At The World Cup

With less than a month until the United States takes the pitch for their opening World Cup 2026 match, the pressure is mounting for a program looking to make a statement on home soil. 

During a recent segment of FOX Sports' First Things First, Kevin Wildes put Nick Wright on the clock to break down the best, worst, and most likely scenarios for the United States Men's national team. 

Wright didn't hold back, offering scenarios that range from a disappointing early exit to a historic run that would echo South Korea’s 2002 semifinal run, when the nation also co-hosted the World Cup.

A nightmare scenario for USA, according to Wright, involves a total collapse in the early stages of the tournament. 

"I'm gonna start with the bad, worst case. They don't win the group. Türkiye does, and because of that, they have a tougher round of 32 draw. They lose their first knockout round game, and then you have to just salt the Earth of US Soccer, fire everyone and start over. That's (the) worst case. It's not going to happen," Wright explained. 

Wright was quick to dismiss his worst case scenario as an unlikely outcome for this group. Instead, Wright points toward a more optimistic outcome for this squad. 

"They win the group, they win one knockout round game, get to the round of 16, and they lose there — which has kind of been the glass ceiling for most US men’s national teams," Wright said.

This "glass ceiling" has long been the measuring stick for American soccer, representing the gap between being a competitive side and a global powerhouse.

However, Wright sees a path where the U.S. can compete with some of the world’s best, and avenge the shortcomings of previous generations.

"Best case, you win the group, you get a third place