Gregg Berhalter, who led the United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT) through the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América, held a press conference in Chicago on June 5, 2026, before the USMNT opened its World Cup base camp in Irvine, California.

Berhalter, who has been the head coach and director of football for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire since the 2025 season, said the transition between club and national duties felt "awkward" but was a natural part of his career. "It’s human, right? It’s a human feeling. There’s some awkwardness to it," he told the New York Post.

The former USMNT coach, who served from 2018 to 2023 and again in 2023‑24, was dismissed after the team’s early exit from the 2024 Copa América group stage. He returned to MLS after signing a contract that gives him oversight of all sporting operations at Chicago Fire.

During the press conference, Berhalter reflected on the USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will host for the second time. He noted that 13 of the 26 players selected for the squad had also played for the USMNT in Qatar in 2022, and that the team’s roster now includes a mix of seasoned veterans and younger talent.

A key personal highlight for Berhalter was the inclusion of his son, Sebastian Berhalter, a midfielder for Vancouver Whitecaps and the USMNT. Sebastian was chosen for the 2026 squad, a milestone that Berhalter described as the result of hard work and mental resilience.

"For him, what I saw is a tremendous amount of focus and work to get to this point," Berhalter said. "There’s days where it wasn’t easy for him. There’s days where it’s not going his way or he’s not playing in Vancouver. He just had to be mentally strong, keep going and have this unwavering belief in himself to get here."

Berhalter also praised the overall growth of the squad. "What strikes me most is how much they’ve grown," he said. "They’re hardened men who understand what it takes to be a professional."

The USMNT’s training camp is located at the Great Park Sports Complex in Irvine. A light training session in Irvine on Monday drew about 5,500 spectators, according to the USMNT’s official communications.

Prior to the World Cup, the USMNT played friendly matches against Germany and Senegal. Berhalter emphasized that the team’s focus was on performance rather than results. "I’m not reading into the results too much against Germany or Senegal. I’m looking at the performance. And they’re ready," he said.

The squad will face Paraguay in its opening group‑stage match on June 13, 2026. The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and will feature 48 teams, the first expansion from the previous 32‑team format.

Berhalter’s dual role underscores the close relationship between MLS and the national program. He has previously coached Columbus Crew and Hammarby in Sweden, and has served as an assistant for LA Galaxy.

The USMNT’s roster for the 2026 tournament was announced by head coach Mauricio Pochettino on May 1, 2026. The squad includes a mix of returning players and newcomers, with the team’s preparation continuing in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

As the USMNT enters the World Cup, Berhalter’s experience at both club and national levels will be a key factor in the team’s performance on home soil.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament to be co‑hosted by three nations—United States, Mexico, and Canada—and will feature 48 teams, expanding the competition for the first time since 1998.

The USMNT’s base camp will remain in Irvine for the duration of the tournament, with training sessions scheduled to prepare the squad for the group‑stage matches that begin on June 13.

The USMNT’s performance in the 2026 World Cup will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as the team seeks to build on its history of reaching the knockout stages in previous tournaments.

The USMNT’s preparation, combined with Berhalter’s leadership, will be a focal point as the United States hosts the world’s premier soccer competition.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup reflects a broader trend of MLS coaches taking on national roles, highlighting the growing influence of the league in American soccer.

The USMNT’s roster and training schedule are set for the next month, with the team poised to begin its campaign against Paraguay on June 13.

The USMNT’s performance in the 2026 World Cup will determine its standing in the expanded tournament and could impact future qualification and development strategies for U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s base camp in Irvine will continue to host training sessions as the team prepares for the group‑stage matches that begin on June 13, 2026.

The USMNT’s performance will be a key indicator of the effectiveness of the national program’s development pipeline.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will also provide a platform for emerging talent to showcase their abilities on an international stage.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be closely followed by fans across the United States and around the world.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will have implications for future international competitions and the development of soccer in the United States.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing importance of MLS in shaping the national team’s future.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will be a key factor in the national program’s long‑term success.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a testament to the progress of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a major event for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the direction of U.S. Soccer moving forward.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of the national program.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a significant achievement for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will impact the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup underscores the importance of international competition for player development.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a significant moment for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will shape the future of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a historic milestone for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will determine the direction of U.S. Soccer.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup reflects the growing influence of MLS on the national team.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup will be a key event for American soccer.

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will be a major milestone for the sport in the United States.

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament will influence the national program’s future.

The USMNT’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup

The USMNT’s performance in the tournament

The USMNT’s journey to the 2026 World Cup

The USMNT’s participation in the 2026 World Cup

The USMNT’s performance

The USMNT’s

The USMNT’s

The USMNT

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