The HBO Original five-part sports documentary series U.S. AGAINST THE WORLD: FOUR YEARS WITH THE MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, produced by Park Stories, debuts Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Subsequent episodes will premiere Tuesdays at the same time.
Inside the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
U.S. AGAINST THE WORLD: FOUR YEARS WITH THE MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM offers an unprecedented look inside the United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) in the leadup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America this June.[ Filmed over the course of four years, the series follows stars Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and a wide array of U.S. players on their personal and collective journeys toward the sport’s biggest stage.
Beginning with never-before-seen footage from the USMNT’s 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar, the series chronicles the team through training camps and international matches, as well as intimate off‑the‑field moments at home and on the road. Cameras capture the pivotal 2024 transition from former head coach Gregg Berhalter to current head coach Mauricio Pochettino — a significant shift that resets the team’s strategy and recalibrates its identity. As June 2026 approaches, the story centers on players battling to secure their places on the World Cup roster and the mounting pressure on Pochettino and his staff to deliver a historic performance on home soil.
Episode guide
The five episodes of U.S. Against the World: Four Years with the Men’s National Soccer Team are scheduled as follows:
Episode 1: “The Golden Generation”
Debut date: Tuesday, May 12 (9:00–10:00 p.m. ET/PT). Head coach Gregg Berhalter leads Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and a core of emerging American stars into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, introducing what many have dubbed the USMNT’s “golden generation.”
Episode 2: “Not So Golden”
Debut date: Tuesday, May 19 (9:00–10:00 p.m. ET/PT). A disappointing group‑stage exit at the 2024 Copa América triggers Berhalter’s dismissal and raises urgent questions about the state and direction of the USMNT.
Episode 3: “You Have to Fight”
Debut date: Tuesday, May 26 (9:00–10:00 p.m. ET/PT). With less than two years remaining before the 2026 World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino takes over as USMNT head coach, introducing a fresh vision, a new philosophy, and a revamped competitive culture.
Episode 4: “That is Football”
Debut date: Tuesday, June 2 (9:00–10:00 p.m. ET/PT). Pochettino continues reshaping the roster as new contributors emerge during the 2025 Gold Cup, culminating in a high‑stakes showdown against regional rival Mexico.
Episode 5: “26 Brothers”
Debut date: Tuesday, June 9 (9:00–10:00 p.m. ET/PT). The final 26‑man roster is revealed for the 2026 World Cup, as lifelong dreams are realized and others are heartbreakingly deferred.
Featured participants
The series features current USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino; former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter; and players Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Tim Ream, Matt Turner, Chris Richards, Giovanni Reyna, Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson, Matt Freese, Brenden Aaronson, Malik Tillman, Yunus Musah, Mark McKenzie, Sebastian Berhalter, and journalist Paul Tenorio.
Credits
U.S. AGAINST THE WORLD: FOUR YEARS WITH THE MEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM is presented by HBO Sports Documentaries and is a Park Stories production. The series is directed by Rand Getlin and Luke Korver; executive produced by Rand Getlin and Janina Pelayo; produced by Bryce Cyrier; and co‑produced by Luke Korver.
The series is edited by Lucas J. Harger, Jazzy Kettenacker, and Samuele Baiamonte, with Lucas J. Harger also serving as creative director, and music composed by Hannah Parrott. For HBO, executive producers are Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Bentley Weiner, with Abtin Motia serving as supervising producer.
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