Cobi Jones has experienced the unique mix of emotions that come with representing your country at a home FIFA World Cup\u2122.<\/p>\n
The pressure, excitement and intensity levels were dialled up to new heights when the tournament headed Stateside in 1994 \u2013 and Jones and his USA team-mates rose to the challenge. The Americans thrilled their adoring fans by progressing past the group phase for the first time in 60 years and pushed eventual champions Brazil all the way before being edged out in the Round of 16.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat sticks out most is the huge attention we got,\u201d Jones tells FIFA.com. \u201cIt was like nothing I\u2019d ever felt before. That\u2019s what is going to be like for the US players in 2026. They may not feel like it yet but, when this tournament comes around, they will be superstars here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones is braced for a soccer \u201cexplosion\u201d when the United States co-hosts the FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 with Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact we have three host countries makes this World Cup special,\u201d Jones says. \u201cIt will pull the whole region together. It’s an opportunity for the different federations to work together to make this the best World Cup ever. You\u2019re also going to have fans going across borders to see different games and experience new cultures. It\u2019s a cool dynamic.\u201d<\/p>\n
USA\u2019s record appearance holder, Jones won 164 caps in a 12-year international career and has been part of the sport\u2019s fabric in the United States for more than three decades. He is now one of his country\u2019s most respected broadcasters, regularly providing expert analysis on MLS and USA national team games to millions of fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a good commentator, I believe, is about showing how much joy you feel for the game,\u201d says Jones. \u201cI want it to be like I’m sitting next to someone at a bar and they\u2019ve started asking me questions. That\u2019s the onus I put on myself, to educate. I want people to love this game like I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones played in three World Cups \u2013 he humbly highlights \u201chealth, good genetics and versatility\u201d as the core reasons for his longevity \u2013 and was part of the side which reached the quarter-finals at Korea\/Japan 2002. That was USA\u2019s best World Cup performance since they finished third at the inaugural edition in 1930 \u2013 and Jones is convinced the modern generation can write their own history in 2026.<\/p>\n
The Americans\u2019 Qatar 2022 campaign ended with a last-16 defeat to the Netherlands, yet their displays in the Middle East provided much cause for optimism. USA\u2019s squad boasted an average age of just 25.2 years and was the second youngest at the tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group can do something big,\u201d Jones says. \u201cThey’ve gone through a World Cup together and most of them are going to be at their prime age in 2026. I believe they can go further than any US team has ever gone in a World Cup. That\u2019s the expectation and that’s what we’ve got to look at now. You can’t be satisfied with just making it to the next round. You’ve got to look beyond that and say, \u2018Hey, we have to put ourselves up with the big boys.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Now aged 53, Jones remains totally immersed in football. As well as his commentary role, he sits on U.S Soccer\u2019s \u2018Game Changers United\u2019 Council, which aims to enhance diversity in the sport, and works with LA Galaxy to promote their local and international community initiatives. He is also a founding investor of NWSL team, Angel City FC.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty hectic, especially juggling my roles with being a husband and a dad! But it all keeps me in tune with the game I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read on for more of our interview with Jones, who opens up on why Los Angeles will be the perfect stage for USA\u2019s World Cup 26 opener, former team-mate David Beckham\u2019s influence on MLS, and the most cherished moment in his international career\u2026<\/p>\n
Cobi, you played in a World Cup on American soil in 1994. What do you believe co-hosting the World Cup in 2026 can do for soccer in the USA?
\nCobi Jones: Growth. It’s all about growth. It’s so exciting. If it’s anything like this last World Cup [in 2022], we’re going to see another explosion within the United States. That’s what we see with every World Cup. With the US hosting, it will go to another level and if the US does well, that growth will accelerate. There is so much opportunity here.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles, where you spent most of your career and now call home, will host USA\u2019s opening game. What was your reaction when that was announced?
\nTo have the United States’ opening game in my city, wow. The stadium is gorgeous. For people who haven’t been there before, they will be in awe of it. Also, there is so much passion for the game in Los Angeles. It\u2019s an international community \u2013 you have so much diversity here and so many people who love soccer. We now have three teams here: the Galaxy, LAFC and Angel City FC in the NWSL. There’s been a significant fanbase within LA for decades and it is growing.<\/p>\n
Several global superstars now play in MLS. What impact has that had on soccer in the USA?
\nIt gives MLS more notoriety and more attention to the game. In LA, we’ve had stars like David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That significantly increased the eyeballs on MLS in the United States and internationally. Fast-forward to today, and you have (Lionel) Messi and (Luis) Suarez and so many other players at a high level. That attracts players who maybe aren’t superstars \u2013 but they are future stars. All of a sudden, it’s not an issue for players in their early and mid-20s to say, \u2018Yeah, I’m going to come to MLS\u2019. I believe you’ll now see more of those players [in their prime years] making the decision to come here.<\/p>\n
You were a team-mate of David Beckham\u2019s at LA Galaxy. What do you make of what he\u2019s done at Inter Miami, where he is president and co-owner?
\nOne thing I’ve learned is, never underestimate David Beckham. What he’s done there has been fantastic. I don’t think anyone thought he was going to pull something like this off! He and his team have done something spectacular by signing Messi. They\u2019ve then made those additional signings, bringing in the likes of Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. They’re making all the right moves on the field and bringing a lot of attention to MLS.<\/p>\n
If USA are to go far at World Cup 26, how big a role will the captain, Christian Pulisic, have? And how impressed have you been with his form at AC Milan?
\nI’m getting all the highlights from my son, he’s always saying, ‘Hey, did you see the goal Pulisic scored!?’ I’m very impressed with what Christian is doing, scoring goals and playing at a top level.<\/p>\n
Of course, as the captain, he\u2019s a big player for the US. Not only because he\u2019s a huge talent, but for his experience and leadership abilities. You must have a good group dynamic if you’re going to have success. In 1994, by no rights should we have accomplished so much, but it was because we had a great group. In 2002, how did we do so well? It was the same. We had a group that fought together. There are other times when we didn’t do so well, and that’s usually when the group is separated and there are different dynamics going on. France 1998 was the perfect example [when USA were eliminated in the group stage]. You’ve got to be united. For Pulisic, bringing the squad together is going to be his biggest job and, with his experience, I\u2019m sure he can be that leader.<\/p>\n
You played in three World Cups, in 1994, 1998 and 2002. If you could pick one standout moment from those tournaments, what would it be?
\nFor sure, the USA-Mexico Round of 16 game in 2002. Throughout my years with the team, even when we beat Mexico, the talk from their fans and some of my Mexican team-mates [with LA Galaxy] was, ‘We’re the better side, that match didn’t matter\u2026\u2019 Then we matched up at the highest possible level in the World Cup. When it came down to it, we got the victory. That was a highlight of my career. Mexican fans are so passionate and still come up to me and say, ‘Mexico is so much better…\u2019 but as far as I\u2019m concerned, the last game I played against you guys, we won 2-0 in the World Cup! That keeps everyone quiet \u2013 they say, ‘Okay, you got it there!’<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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