It wasn't the ending Team USA wished for in the Round of 16 loss to Belgium, but a former FIFA World Cup champion believes the collective work this squad did on home soil should be celebrated.In fact, four years from now when the new World Cup tournament begins, he wouldn't be shocked if we see the USMNT making their way to its first-ever final.Christian Karembeu, the French legend who helped the country lift the World Cup trophy in 1998, said "as Europeans," and as a soccer player himself, the U.S.surprised him in this tournament.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMChristian Karembeu is introduced to the crowd during the FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour on May 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Isaiah Vazquez - FIFA)"They did surprise us.Nobody expected that they can play like that," Karembeu told Fox News Digital , while also discussing his partnership with Coca-Cola and FIFA for their "Every Throw-In Counts" initiative.
"With speed, with possession at times, and also, the talent you have now."I think [head coach Mauricio] Pochettino has done a great job and you need to be proud of Team USA because we didn’t expect that."LANDON DONOVAN RECALLS LIFE-CHANGING WORLD CUP MOMENT AMID PLAYERS' 'RESPONSIBILITY' OF GROWING GAME IN USAThe entire country was rallying behind one of the three host nations, as Mexico and Canada also led the way in hospitality.Karembeu, who participated in the World Cup in 1994 when it was on American soil, has been enthralled by what he called a "successful" tournament thus far.But the 4-1 loss to Belgium, which saw some key blunders by the USMNT that led to goals, put a damper on the three wins the U.S.
were able to come by in the tournament, including the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.Karembeu believes that the loss to Belgium should serve as a lesson for the U.S., as they look ahead to 2030.Christian Pulisic of the United States is consoled by Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, afte...