The United States men's national team kicked off its World Cup campaign with a resounding 4-1 victory over Paraguay last Friday, but that wasn't enough to convince one major news outlet. The New York Times has released its updated World Cup power rankings, placing the USMNT at No. 17 — a decision that has sparked outrage among American soccer fans.
Christian Pulisic set the tone early, creating two first-half goal-scoring chances, but it was Folarin Balogun who stole the spotlight with a brace. "Yeah, it was definitely a statement, three goals in the first half opening game," Balogun said. "I felt like it was a real statement, and that’s what you wanted to do. So I’m very, very delighted with the overall performance, especially the first half."
Despite that dominant display, the Times' panel ranked the U.S. behind Egypt, Senegal, and Uruguay. Fans quickly took to social media to voice their displeasure. "Why do I suspect that if this was anything but the New York Times, the United States is somewhere around No. 10," one commenter wrote. Another added, "I guess we’ll have to see if this is correct, the US feel awfully low considering the performance they gave last Friday." A third fan asked bluntly, "So Team U.S.A wins 4-1 and stays in the 17th position?"
The ranking has become bulletin-board material for Mauricio Pochettino's squad. While no one expects the USMNT to be mentioned alongside powerhouses like Argentina or France, a spot in the top 15 seemed reasonable after such a convincing win. The team can use this perceived slight as motivation heading into Friday's crucial match against Australia.
The backlash also highlights the growing passion of American soccer fans, who have been among the most attractive fan bases at the 2026 World Cup. Their energy has been a major talking point throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, the U.S. will need to stay focused on the pitch. A win against Australia would put them in a strong position to advance from Group D. With the team's confidence high after the Paraguay thrashing, the ranking controversy could serve as extra fuel.
The debate over the USMNT's ranking also comes amid a broader surge in World Cup viewership. FOX has reported a 128% ratings increase for the 2026 tournament, reflecting the sport's growing popularity in the United States.
For now, the USMNT will let their play do the talking. If they continue to perform like they did against Paraguay, the rankings will eventually have to follow. But for a fan base that's been waiting for a breakthrough, No. 17 feels like a slap in the face.
