2026 WC USA (et al): Worldwide Opponents Watch [all R's]

I like the story of Rodri's US connection. He spent time in Connecticut as a teenager at a camp. First as a camper and then as a counselor!
Spain’s World Cup captain Rodri spent three summers as a camper in Deep River

Jimmy Christensen was Rodri’s counselor during his first summer at camp in 2010.

“It was kind of uncanny how talented he was,” Christensen said. “A lot of the staff originally were like, ‘Are all kids from Spain this good at soccer, or is this a special case scenario?’”

 

Roughly the same number the Mexico England game did on Telemundo? Does it really seem that low by comparison?

 

🚨🇮🇹 Pep Guardiola says no to Italian national team head coach job offered by the Federation.

Guardiola considered the proposal this week but wants to dedicate time to his family, recharge and return into football later on. pic.twitter.com/IyavAYYN4J

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 24, 2026

Obviously Pep is holding out for the USMNT job.

 

What would specifically attract Pep to the USMNT?

 

I mean it doesn’t sound like he’s going to jump back into coaching for a bit (and he does have some genuine family issues to address) but Pep has famously always had a fascination with the United States and famously lived here during his sabbatical from Barcelona.

It doesn’t mean he’d take the job of course but there’s enough from his background that he’d at least be intrigued by it.

But it sounds like most like we won’t see him take an international job till after the Euro/Copa cycle where they may be other opportunities that also interest him (like England). Of course if Scaloni steps aside in December as he’s contemplating maybe that would interest Pep also.

 

E-Z Money with zero media attention and pressure?

He would be a terrible pick for the USA though; Pep only plays one way and the USA doesn't remotely have the players necessary for his system.

 

With Pep, he'd have to be interested in a long term project.

People have said "There's never a chance we get a coach as accomplished as Pochettino. Surely another nation or club is of greater interest and will pay more."

That turned out not to be the case. Heck, apparently, we also reached out to Klopp's representatives at the time.

If we submitted a contract extension offer to Poch then presumably the money from our billionaire sugar daddies to pay his salary is still there.

Maybe we go back and say "Hey Billionaire Sugar Daddy, we can get Pep Guardiola for 10 million a year. You won't even notice the money is gone! You in?"

If Pep says he wants to take a 6 month break, that's fine. We can go with an interim until the end of 2026. Heck, have Cherundolo coach the team for 6 months.

Will my scenario happen? No. Probably not. But let's freaking AIM HIGH.

 

Ancelotti stays on with Brazil, another early exit confirmed for 2030

 

You could get Xavi.

 

Dest would like that as much as Pulisic would like Tuchel.

 

Yeah I realize that.

 

I do think he’d take it.

 

Depends on the direction the USSF wants to go to.

 

It could be worse. We could be Italy.

🚨🇮🇹 Official: Andrea Pirlo appointment as new Italian national team head coach has been called off.

Federation president Malagò decides not to proceed with signatures due to Pirlo’s collab with a Russian betting brand. ❌ pic.twitter.com/0kym57dEz7

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2026

🚨🇮🇹 Paolo Maldini and Leonardo RESIGN from their roles as Italy Federation technical director and advisor.

Decision to leave the project just 10 days after joining due to president Malagò being against appointing Andrea Pirlo as new head coach for Italian national team.

The… pic.twitter.com/UYEtFJCjRw

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2026

 

Precourt levels of competence and vetting there.