The United States men’s national team’s hopes of making a deep run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended with a disappointing defeat to Belgium, leaving players, coaches and supporters facing difficult questions about the program’s future.
As one of the tournament’s host nations, expectations were high for the Americans to deliver a memorable campaign. Instead, the early knockout exit has sparked widespread debate about the team’s overall quality and whether the current player pool is equipped to compete consistently with the world’s elite.
Among those offering their assessment was sports broadcaster Colin Cowherd, who argued that the United States lacks one important attribute shared by many of football’s top national teams. In his view, the issue extends beyond tactics and technical ability to the physical makeup of the squad.
Cowherd suggested that improving the team’s size and strength should become a long-term priority if the United States hopes to challenge for major international trophies in future tournaments.
1. Cowherd Highlights Physical Disadvantage
Reacting to the loss, Cowherd said the United States struggled to match the physical presence of Belgium, particularly when defending against larger attackers. He argued that the difference became increasingly noticeable as the match progressed.
Using Belgium’s towering striker as an example, Cowherd said the Americans had difficulty dealing with players possessing both size and technical ability. According to him, elite football nations often feature athletes who combine strength, pace and skill, creating difficult matchups across the field.
Cowherd also referenced Norway star Erling Haaland when discussing the challenge facing the United States. He suggested that forwards with Haaland’s combination of size, finishing ability and tactical awareness would present even greater problems for the American defense.
To emphasize his point, Cowherd compared such a mismatch to former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski competing against much younger opposition, illustrating just how significant he believes the physical gap can become.
2. More Than Just Athleticism
While praising American athletes for their speed and overall athletic ability, Cowherd argued those qualities alone are not enough to compete with the world’s strongest football nations.
He pointed to Christian Pulisic as one of the team’s most talented players but questioned whether the squad has enough physically dominant performers capable of consistently influencing matches at the highest level.
According to Cowherd, many of the world’s top players possess several elite traits simultaneously, including size, tactical intelligence and clinical finishing. He believes the United States often develops players who excel in one or two of those areas but rarely all of them together.
That difference, he argued, becomes especially evident during major tournaments, where small margins often separate teams and physical battles can determine the outcome of knockout matches.
3. Looking Ahead to the Next Opportunity
Cowherd also discussed the need for stronger leadership within the national team. He expressed confidence in players such as Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun but suggested the United States still lacks a consistently dominant figure capable of carrying the team through difficult moments.
Finding that player may take time, as the current squad continues to develop and younger prospects work toward earning international opportunities. Building a deeper talent pool will likely remain a major objective for the coaching staff over the next several years.
The next significant test for the United States will come at the Copa América, where the national team will have another chance to measure its progress against elite international competition. The tournament is expected to provide valuable experience before future World Cup cycles.
For now, the disappointment of the World Cup exit has shifted attention toward long-term improvement. Whether the program can address concerns about physicality, depth and leadership will become one of the biggest storylines as the United States prepares for its next major international challenge.