Thursday marks 78 days until the U.S. men’s national team kicks off play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and while the squad’s immediate focus is on their upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal, several players already have one eye on the summer tournament.

The USMNT face off with Paraguay in both countries’ World Cup opener, a showdown that will come only seven months since the Americans earned a 2-1 victory in Chester, Pennsylvania. However, this one will not be for bragging rights or internal confidence, it will come with a vital three points up for grabs.

USMNT and Celtic defender Auston Trusty is one of the 27 players called into Mauricio Pochettino’s squad this month and is fighting to make it into the Argentine’s final roster this May. Trusty was not part of the Americans’ last World Cup involvement in Qatar, but has a strong chance of being part of the plans this time after improving his game over the past four years.

While reigning World Cup holders Argentina, European giants Spain, England, and France, and South American heavyweight Brazil are among the favorites to win the competition, Trusty has faith that the USMNT can raise some eyebrows on home soil.

“Why not us,” Trusty said during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. “When people talk about the World Cup, they think Argentina. They think the really big countries in football to win it. For some reason, people automatically consider the U.S will not be able to win it. How football works, whoever wants it more in that day is gonna win.”

Miles Robinson is another USMNT defender that was left off the 2022 World Cup roster, but is fighting to earn a final spot this May. Robinson has remained a consistent starter in MLS with FC Cincinnati after previously coming up through the collegiate and Atlanta United ranks earlier in his career.

Alongside Trusty, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, and Mark McKenzie, Robinson will be pushing for minutes over the next 12 days in order to boost his stock in Pochettino’s plans. Robinson isn’t worried about the level of competition that the USMNT will be facing this month, knowing that the squad’s overall quality can compete with anyone.

“It doesn’t really matter about the competition because we obviously have so much quality on this team,” Robinson said. “It’s about that work ethic or that passion you really bring.”

The USMNT have reached the Round of 16 in each of their last three World Cup appearances, but will be hoping for more this summer with one of their best-ever rosters.