Weston McKennie says he is ready to handle the pressure of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. The United States midfielder believes the huge expectations around the tournament can help push the national team toward a historic run. The Juventus star explained that he feels excitement rather than fear as the tournament approaches. McKennie said the emotional pressure of a World Cup is normal and even necessary for top players. “I don't think I feel fear. I feel butterflies, which is normal,” McKennie said in a recent interview with FIFA . The 25-year-old midfielder added that nervous energy shows how much a player cares about performing well on the biggest stage in football. “If you don’t feel butterflies, it means you don't care about what you’re doing,” he said. McKennie has become one of the key leaders inside the United States men’s national team. After gaining experience in Europe and major international tournaments, he now hopes to guide the team during one of the most important moments in American soccer history. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For the United States team, it will be the first men’s World Cup on home soil since 1994. McKennie believes home support could become a major advantage for the team during the competition. He said American fans will play an important role in helping the squad handle difficult moments during matches. “I think the energy of the fans can be a big part of helping us create an atmosphere that is difficult for the opposing team,” McKennie explained. He also stressed that supporters can influence games more than many people realize. According to McKennie, fan support becomes even more important when matches are not going well. The midfielder said the current US squad is much more experienced than it was during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At that tournament, the United States reached the knockout stage before losing to the Netherlands. Many players from that team were still early in their international careers. Since then, several American stars have gained valuable experience in Europe’s top leagues and competitions. McKennie believes that growth has made the team mentally stronger and tactically smarter. “We are not the young, inexperienced team anymore,” he suggested while reflecting on the team’s development. McKennie himself has played at the highest level in European football for several years. His performances for Juventus in Italy’s Serie A and in European competitions have helped him become one of the most recognizable American soccer players in the world. The midfielder said playing in the 2022 World Cup was already a dream come true. However, he believes competing at home in 2026 will feel even more special. “And then, to be able to do it on home soil will be a pretty cool experience, for sure,” McKennie said. The United States team is also entering a new era under coach Mauricio Pochettino. The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager recently took charge of the national team and has already introduced a more competitive environment inside the squad. McKennie praised Pochettino’s energy and leadership style. He explained that players now understand that no position in the lineup is guaranteed. “I think nobody can feel like they're 100 percent secure in their position,” McKennie said. According to the midfielder, the coach has increased competition across the squad and pushed players to constantly prove themselves. “I think that's something he brought in, a very competitive group of players, that if you want to play, you have to show why,” he added. The United States will enter the 2026 World Cup with high expectations from fans and media. Many analysts believe this generation of players may be the most talented group in American soccer history. With experienced players competing across Europe and a World Cup taking place at home, supporters hope the national team can make a deep run in the tournament. McKennie appears ready to embrace the challenge. Instead of fearing the pressure, he believes it could inspire the team to achieve something historic for American soccer.