Exclusive: Clint Dempsey Backs Revitalised Team USA as 2026 World Cup “Dark Horses”

Clint Dempsey knows all about what it takes to represent Team USA in international competition.

The 42-year-old is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest, American soccer play ever. His 57 goals in international competition is tied with Landon Donovan for the most by an American player.

He made his first appearance with the senior team in 2004 and his last appearance in 2017, with his 140 caps ranking fourth in Team USA history. 

USMNT finishes 2025 in form

Fast forward to the present day and Team USA has high expectations entering the 2026 World Cup. The tournament is being hosted in the United States and all throughout North America, with the United States serving as the main host. 

It also does not hurt that Team USA ended 2025 on a hot streak, going unbeaten in their last five games, including a 5-1 win over Uruguay, tying the largest margin of victory for the United States over a South American opponent. It's also noteworthy considering Team USA lost to Uruguay in 2024 Copa America.

The match happened to take place on home soil at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida and Dempsey says fans have reason to feel "excited" again about this team.

"For me, they've really been on a five-game run here, unbeaten streak with four wins, one draw, and starting to get people excited again," Dempsey says in a one-on-one interview. 

"You talked about the Uruguay game and winning 5-1 and the way in which they did it. You saw some new faces that stepped up, the hunger that they showed for playing, and especially in these last two games, the fight you saw at the end of the game in Paraguay against them. Where they got the victory, but just the way they went out, stayed hungry, kept their foot on the gas and being able to put up a score line of five goals to one."

New faces seizing their moment

It was certainly an impressive showing, even if it was a friendly match with nothing at stake, for a Team USA squad that was lacking their top players. 

In fact, guys that normally wouldn't be considered the stars of the team such as Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman, Tanner Tessmann, all of whom scored their first goals in international competition.

Dempsey stresses that he wants to see Team USA field a healthy team, which obviously would include Christian Pulisic, who is regarded as the top player in the country. 

Pulisic suffered a low-grade tear in his hamstring of Team USA's win over Australia in October. He did not play in Team USA's win over Uruguay.

Dempsey tips USA as 2026 World Cup “dark horse”

The former Team USA star says he feels this squad could "surprise" people and be a "dark horse" team. He says getting out of the group stage is something that Team USA needs to do in order for the run to be considered at least somewhat of a success.

"I think they're a team that has a chance that could surprise people," says Dempsey. 

"You're on home soil. You saw what the team did in the '94 World Cup. They were able to get out of the group that they were in, and because of how well they did in the World Cup in '94 brought about MLS, the professional league here. 

"There's more teams in this World Cup than in years past," Dempsey continues to say. 

"It's going to be a little bit easier to get out of the group and get into the knockout stages, and anything can happen from there. I see this team getting out of the group, getting to the knockout stages, and maybe they got something special, and can go on a great run, how South Korea did when they hosted the World Cup and how far they went. Hopefully we can see something like that."

Pochettino earning respect as U.S. head coach

Dempsey says he's a big fan of Mauricio Pochettino, who was named a national head coach for the first time, with the former Argentine star taking over last year.

"I've been really impressed with the man," says Dempsey of Pochettino. 

"At the beginning, maybe there are a few question marks, but you have to give a manager time to go out there and to implement his style of play into this team and figure out who is going to have your back when your backs are against the wall."

"What I've been able to see in the last five games, the fight that I saw in Gold Cup, how he got the team playing for each other," Dempsey continues to say of Pochettino. 

"Just seeing with the formation changes and the movements and the way in which he's given confidence to these players to attack and give forward. I'm really starting to get excited again like I was when he was first hired."