England and USMNT to face off in June 2026 friendly on East Coast

The Football Association and U.S. Soccer are negotiating a friendly match between England and the USMNT, aimed at generating excitement for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Mexico and Canada. The match is tentatively scheduled for June 2026 on the East Coast, although the exact date and venue remain undecided. The organization of this game is contingent upon the outcomes of the UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifiers, which could impact U.S. Soccer's ability to arrange matches with European teams. The USMNT has faced challenges recently, including a disappointing early exit from the Copa America and a low attendance at their matches, such as the recent game against Canada, which saw only 10,523 fans in attendance. This decline in interest highlights the need for U.S. Soccer to engage fans and build momentum leading up to the World Cup. The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach is part of a strategy to revitalize the team and improve performance. Historically, the USMNT has had limited success against England, with only two victories in their twelve encounters. The last match between the two teams occurred during the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they played to a goalless draw. England has not played on American soil against the USMNT since 2005, making this upcoming friendly significant for both teams. Overall, this proposed match represents an opportunity for U.S. Soccer to rekindle interest in the national team and prepare for the challenges of the World Cup, while also providing England with a competitive fixture ahead of the tournament.