Clint Dempsey on 2026 World Cup USMNT roster and representing America

Every player representing their country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will do whatever it takes to see victory on the world’s biggest stage in football.

For the United States men’s national team (USMNT), having the World Cup on home soil this summer has a little more meaning.

All 26 players announced for the official squad know what is at stake; because the home fans are ready to cheer on the Stars and Stripes, an opportunity of a lifetime for these players. In contrast, Clint Dempsey, a three-time World Cup starter with the USMNT, believes this group will do what they did on this stage during their playing days.

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“As you can see, I already gave up my nose. I broke it. Already after two heart surgeries, I came back to qualify for 2018. [World Cup]. There are many sacrifices people make to represent their country. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Dempsey said, “I think there can be no greater honor than this,” while noting his work as a mentor for “Abbott Dream Team,” a program of global health leader Abbott and football club Real Madrid.

During the 2014 World Cup, Dempsey was hit in the face and blood flowed from his nose, which he suspected was broken. He was right, but this wasn’t realized until after the match.

Dempsey, the team’s captain, led by example by fighting through pain during the United States’ 2-1 victory over Ghana. He scored the first goal just 34 seconds into the match, and it didn’t matter that he accidentally hit his shin in the face. He wasn’t leaving the field.

Dempsey later underwent two separate heart surgeries to address his irregular heartbeat. The United States failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018, but Dempsey did his best to put on that jersey again to represent his country.

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After all, it had always been his dream to play for his country in the World Cup and he would do his best to do it again, even if he had done it three times.

“This is what I prayed for when I went to sleep as a kid; to play for my country and play in World Cups,” he added.

For some on the USMNT, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, this will be their second time having the privilege of doing so. For others like Ricardo Pepi, Alex Zendejas and Sebastian Berhalter, their dreams will come true against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Clint Dempsey of the United States receives treatment for a nose injury during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group G match against Ghana at the Estadio das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, on June 16, 2014. (Alex Livesey/FIFA/Getty Images)

But it’s about much more than stepping onto the turf and competing against countries from around the world. The opportunity to write this USMNT into the history books on home soil is always present for the 26 men embarking on this World Cup journey.

Dempsey knows this group has what it takes to succeed and he is also confident they will be proud of their country and use fans just like him to their advantage.

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Although it’s about the love of the game, the World Cup is also a demonstration of immense pride in where someone comes from. According to Dempsey, patriotism runs deep and always will.

“I was on the podcast the other day with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard and I think they asked, ‘If you were on a club team, out of all the teams you’ve been on, which club team would you choose?’ I think nothing could be more true than what they talk about. I said, ‘How about we put it this way? If you were to bury me in a coffin, which jersey would I buy?’ “It would be a USA jersey,” he said.

“So this lets you know how I feel about representing my country and how much it means to me.”

ABBOTT DREAM SET

For the second year in a row, Dempsey is assisting Abbott and Real Madrid with the “Abbott Dream Team,” a program that encourages youth soccer players ages 18-19 from across the United States to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime development experience at one of the world’s best soccer clubs in Madrid.

Selected participants will enjoy unique experiences such as attending a match at the Bernabéu Stadium and meeting some team legends, while training with Real Madrid’s coaches at the team’s facilities. Abbott’s health experts and Real Madrid’s medical team will also continue to provide these players with the latest advances in sports health and nutrition, helping them better understand their bodies, develop healthier habits and reach their peak performance on and off the pitch.

Clint Dempsey looks on before the Concacaf Nations League semifinal match between the United States and Panama at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Omer Vega/Getty Images)

Dempsey said of his role: “It’s great, man. Anytime you can give back and give kids the opportunity to follow their dreams, that’s what it’s all about.” “I have kids too and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to help them achieve their dreams, I take them to all their football training and I try to give them the best possible chance to do something great. “It’s one of those things where you get a trial, the Real Madrid coaches are watching you and no matter what, you get something from the experience.

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“Just being here, letting [the players] “I know it’s important and I’m proud of them for betting on themselves and putting themselves out there to try something like this.”

In addition to Dempsey, Real Madrid legend Marcelo will also join this year’s Abbott Dream Team as a mentor.

Auditions took place in Miami, Washington, D.C., and Houston, where Dempsey was located Wednesday morning. Tryouts are currently being held for Kansas City (June 2), Los Angeles (June 4) and Chicago (June 9).

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