Cobi Jones tells 2026 World Cup USMNT squad to embrace home crowd pressure

Cobi Jones knows a thing or two about representing the United States on the soccer field. In fact, there isn’t a men’s American soccer player who has experienced it more than the former USMNT star.

Jones, the all-time leader in appearances for the U.S. men’s national team with 164 caps, represented the United States in the 1992 Summer Olympics and in three World Cups.

The 55-year-old has seen it all when it comes to wearing the red, white, and blue on the field, and that includes playing in the 1994 World Cup, the last time the tournament was held in the United States.

Cobi Jones, former United States player reacts prior to the international friendly match between United States and Germany at Soldier Field on June 06, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images) (Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)

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Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which gets underway for the USMNT on Friday in Los Angeles, Jones shared the pressure-focused message he’d deliver to the national team ahead of the monumental event across North America.

“What I would tell them about playing for their country, I would say to understand that there is going to be pressure because it is a home World Cup, but understand that all those people that you think that pressure is coming from, all those people are cheering for you,” Jones told Fox News Digital at The World Cup 2026 Kickoff Party Blue Carpet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. “All of them want you to do good, all of them want you to succeed. We’re all cheering for you, we’re all supportive in every single way.”

Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States is marked by Joshua Kimmich #6 of Germany during the international friendly match between United States and Germany at Soldier Field on June 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images) (Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)

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While reflecting on his experiences representing his country, Jones also noted the overall sense of pride he’s always felt as being one of the most important figures in U.S. men’s soccer history.

“Playing for the U.S., the national team, the Olympic team through the years, I’ve always had a sense of pride,” Jones explained. “There was always a time where people thought soccer wasn’t for Americans, so for me to be part of that generation to prove them wrong and turn the tide, so to speak, and have it where people accept American players and want American players on their team gives me that pride.”

John Harkes and Cobi Jones, former players of the 1994 United States squad, react prior to the international friendly match between United States and Germany at Soldier Field on June 06, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images) (Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)

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As for Jones’ prediction for the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup, he’d just like to see the team win their group, which includes Australia, Turkey and Paraguay.

The USMNT will first take on Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET on Friday.