Christian Karembeu, a key member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad, has offered high praise for the United States men's national team despite their Round of 16 exit at the hands of Belgium. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Karembeu acknowledged that the USMNT exceeded expectations during the tournament, which the U.S. co-hosted alongside Mexico and Canada. He emphasized that the team's progress under head coach Mauricio Pochettino should be celebrated, even as the 4-1 loss to Belgium brought a disappointing end to their campaign.
«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 Pochettino has done a great job and you need to be proud of Team USA because we didn't expect that.» The French legend, who also played in the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, described the current tournament as «successful» and praised the atmosphere created by American fans.
The USMNT entered the knockout stage after a dramatic Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a match that saw Folarin Balogun receive a red card. FIFA later invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend the red card, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium. The decision sparked outrage from the Belgian Football Federation, which issued a scathing statement, and even drew the attention of President Donald Trump, who reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the incident.
Despite the controversy, Karembeu believes the loss to Belgium should serve as a learning experience rather than a source of discouragement. «We learn every time, every day, every year. I think that through Pochettino, Team USA has improved a lot,» he 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 U.S. team, which earned an automatic berth as a host nation, will now need to qualify for the 2030 World Cup through the regular process. Karembeu's prediction of a potential final appearance underscores the optimism surrounding the squad's young talent and the tactical foundation laid by Pochettino. The Argentine coach himself acknowledged the team's shortcomings in the Belgium match, pointing to a lack of effort and precision in critical moments.
Karembeu also highlighted the importance of focusing on the collective achievements of the USMNT rather than the single loss. «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. The team's three group-stage wins, including the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level.
Beyond the on-field action, Karembeu is involved with Coca-Cola and FIFA's «Every Throw-In Counts» initiative, which encourages fans to participate in sustainable activities during the World Cup. The program invites fans to complete simple tasks such as recycling, using public transport, or choosing reusable items, with more than 5,000 fans and 34,000 goals tallied so far. Karembeu described the initiative as «awesome» and «simple,» adding that it provides a model for responsible fan engagement.
«Fans embrace it because it is simple. They can play with it with their families. It's just perfect for everyone,» Karembeu said. «I think this is a lesson and model for everyone. Therefore, when you have this great platform for the World Cup tournament, it's good to share this initiative with the fans. To be responsible and to be sustainable.»
As the tournament continues, the USMNT's performance has left a lasting impression on observers like Karembeu, who sees a team on the rise. With the right development and experience, the United States could become a formidable force in international soccer, potentially fulfilling the prediction of a first-ever World Cup final appearance in 2030.
