Former FIFA World Cup champion Christian Karembeu expressed optimism for the United States Men's National Team (USMNT), stating that the team's performance in the recent tournament surprised him and suggesting they could reach the final in 2030.
Karembeu, who was part of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad, told Fox News Digital that the USMNT's speed, possession, and emerging talent caught Europeans off guard. He credited head coach Mauricio Pochettino for significant improvements, noting that the team has developed considerably under his guidance.
"They did surprise us. Nobody expected that they can play like that," Karembeu said. "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."
Despite the USMNT's Round of 16 loss to Belgium, a match marked by key errors that led to goals, Karembeu views the tournament as a learning experience. He believes that a lack of experience, rather than a deficit in potential, was the primary factor in their elimination.
"We learn every time, every day, every year. I think that through Pochettino, Team USA has improved a lot," Karembeu explained. "That’s why I said I don’t think it’ll be surprising in the next four years – they’ll be in Morocco, Portugal and Spain – Team USA will maybe go to the final. Because now they have seen what was missing maybe, but I think it was more a lack of experience. Otherwise, they have the potential."
The tournament also saw controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card, which was later rescinded by FIFA after a review. The decision drew criticism from the Belgian Football Federation and even prompted a call from President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. However, Karembeu emphasized focusing on the team's collective achievements prior to the Belgium match.
"I think you need to focus on the collective result and what they achieved before that. We need to be very focused on what they delivered," he said.
Karembeu, who participated in the 1994 World Cup held in the U.S., has followed the current tournament closely and called it a "successful" event. He also discussed his partnership with Coca-Cola and FIFA for their "Every Throw-In Counts" initiative, which encourages fan participation in sustainable and community-focused activities during the World Cup.