Will Gregg Berhalter be USA manager at the 2026 World Cup?

DOHA, Qatar — Almost two hours after the final whistle blew and the World Cup ended, the players of the US Men’s National Team returned to Doha’s Kempinski Hotel, their home for the past three weeks. rice field. They entered through the back door and went to the dining-room one last time.

Post-game meals during tournaments were typically served food hall style, with a variety of dishes prepared at stations around the large ballroom. This was heavy on Americana. While the players ate wings, hamburgers and fries, US coach Greg Verhalter stood in front of the room and gave a short speech.He thanked the players and staff. He told them how proud he was. Then he told everyone to take a moment and look around.

“This group, this very group,” he said, “we will never be together like this again.”

His message was clear: Yes, there will be other big moments in the future, but not this particular group of people.

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With the players scattered a day after the tournament and club football resuming in earnest almost immediately, their next steps are pretty clear. But for Berhalter, what comes next is more vague. His contract with US soccer expires at the end of the year. Does the Commonwealth want him back?He I want to go back?

Sources told ESPN that talks are set to begin between US Soccer and Verhalter. This team is his project, and there is a feeling that he has literally brought some of its key players into US football, giving a natural ending to his 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US. I have a feeling that you are trying to pick me up. Canada and Mexico are attractive.

However, one source admits it is still in the very early stages of the process, while others are exploring European club options as his coaching stock is likely skyrocketing. The juxtaposition — what Berhalter wants and what it’s best for this team of young and talented players. — is the biggest problem currently facing the federation.

Additional reporting by Kyle Bonagra.

Reasons to keep Berhalter

From the perspective of both the federation and the average USMNT fan, the potential for an American team has never been higher. Many of Qatar’s top players will reach the prime of their careers at the 2026 World Cup, so finding a coach who can bring the absolute best out of them in that moment is the biggest challenge. qualification. Candidate needs.

The fact that there will likely be no World Cup qualifiers in this cycle – the fact that there are few truly competitive games – could make this job less appealing, and it would make the Barhalter players and Given their established relationships, it could help keep the momentum going.

The way Burhalter has led his team at this World Cup certainly supports the idea that he knows how to unlock the best players and motivate a young group. I was adamant about doing everything I could to make it last. Sometimes it was through rhetoric: Before the opening game, he brought in popular motivational speaker Eric Thomas. His personal story is about the power of belief. Players’ lounges had all manner of distractions, including barber chairs for haircuts while players hung out, and baristas arriving each afternoon.

Berhalter also knew it was important to keep young players at ease and made family time a priority. With all 48 group stage games played over 13 days, this was the most compacted Worlds Cup to date, but the U.S. team also included the opportunity for players to go to the beach or pool with their families. There were hours of open time when you could. There was also a barbecue and his Thanksgiving dinner (where the ugly sweaters FOX made out of players’ faces were laughed out loud).

Berhalter also scored points for the team by making a change that had never been seen before. It’s family time after the game. Berhalter believed it was important for players to share their post-game excitement with the people who would most support them, so after each game, the bus to his hotel was delayed, sometimes delaying him by an hour or more. Everyone gathered at the empty stand. their loved ones.

In a typical match, teams leave the stadium and return to their hotel as soon as possible. In this tournament, the players were happy to be able to share that moment with their families, as they sometimes returned home nearly two hours after the game ended.

All of that team building and the results he delivered make Berhalter a strong case. However, support for Berhalter’s return to the second cycle is not universal within the Commonwealth.

Some believe that managers shouldn’t get a second cycle unless there’s a crazy level of overachievement. Recalling managers for return engagements has also been unsuccessful so far. Neither Bob Bradley nor Jürgen Klinsmann managed to complete a World Cup cycle, and Bruce Arena finished his second cycle in 2006, but that tournament ended in a disappointing group stage exit. it’s over. Then there was Arena’s second term replacing Klinsmann to qualify for 2018, but apparently that didn’t pan out either.

There are also questions about Berhalter’s decision-making when it comes to in-game adjustments and roster decisions. More than once the US has failed to build a dominant opening period to stamp the game in the second half, and there is also considerable question about his player usage/rotation.

Determine the future of bar halters

Shortly after talking to his players that night in the loss to the Netherlands, Verhalter left the room where he was watching the Argentina-Australia game and thought about his experience in Qatar.

In the months leading up to the tournament, he and his coach told ESPN that he and his coaches had painstakingly considered every tactical scenario imaginable for each group stage game, including Wales v Wales goals and Iran v Mann downs. rice field. upon. The process has been exhausting, and Berhalter said he was looking forward to “unwinding” with his family.

But when asked to evaluate his work, he objected, “I don’t think it’s time to evaluate my own performance.” is can you see what you see and be proud of it, can you be proud of your team, and a lot of the answers come back: “yes”. I’m proud of the group. I’m proud of how they came together and what they showed to the outside world.

That’s certainly one factor to consider, but obviously there are others. Sources told his ESPN that at least five people were involved in deciding whether to keep Burhalter. JT Batson.

Stewart, a staunch defender of Berhalter, will have the most say during this cycle, but the hiring must ultimately be approved by the board.

“As I always do after a major tournament, I take my time and reflect,” Stewart said in a statement. We look forward to building our performance in Qatar and preparing for our journey into 2026.”

While not necessarily a rush decision, there are short-term considerations, but a training camp in January that will likely be attended by mostly US-based players and will likely conclude with games against Serbia and Colombia. is scheduled. It wouldn’t be disastrous for an interim head coach to take charge, but the federation would want a solution sooner or later.

If Bellholter doesn’t return, either on his own or the Commonwealth selection, there’s no shortage of other contenders: Orlando City SC manager Oscar Pareja and former Mexican manager Juan Carlos Osorio.Leeds United manager Jesse Marsh Although it will take some effort to keep Marsh away from Premier League clubs.

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Elk Gomez feels Luis van Gaal tactically overwhelmed Greg Berhalter, who the United States lost in the last 16 stage of the Qatar World Cup.

As appealing as these names may be, it’s also clear that Berhalter has a solid following. One source said he was seen as having a “great mentality” for uniting MLS and European players, which could be a source of friction within the team if not managed well. “It’s a complicated thing to deal with.” Players clearly respect him, too.

“He did a good job. I think the hardest thing about being a coach is getting everyone on the same page,” said the US defender. Deandre Yedlin told Fox Sports. “I think he did it very well. I like it… But in the end, I think that’s going to be the team’s greatest quality.”

Yedlin may be right, because at the World Cup, expectations greatly exceed the sample size by which coaches are judged.

Early in the tournament, Berhalter was asked about that reality. The idea is that being an international coach means relatively few matches to prove your worth. Thinking about the question, he nodded.

“That’s what you signed up for,” he said. “It’s a job and I see it as an opportunity.”

Time will tell if he gets another one.