IRVINE, Calif. — The circus has arrived in Orange County.
Not the manufactured kind with ringmasters, elephants and clowns. The modern American soccer version, complete with drones buzzing overhead, thousands of fans draped in red, white and blue, and a giant hot-air balloon floating above the grounds like a beacon announcing that for the next month, the center of the American soccer universe resides here.
Monday morning marked the official opening of the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup training camp at Great Park Sports Complex in Irvine, Calif. More than 35,000 people entered a city-run lottery for the chance to attend the first team workout. Only 5,500 were selected.
The line was long hours before the gate opened. It felt as though every one of them had arrived donning a USMNT kit and holding an American flag.
Unfortunately for fans, the heat arrived too.
Underneath a cloudless Southern California sky, temperatures climbed quickly, sending fans scattering for any shade they could find. Some sprawled out underneath trees, bleachers and anything capable of shielding them from the bright June sun. But despite the heat, nobody seemed particularly interested in leaving. Instead, they showed their support by breaking into impromptu chants of “USA! USA! USA!”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off later this week, but for supporters, Monday was more than just watching training. It was a celebration, witnessing the beginning of what hopefully becomes a deep tournament run.
Families snapped photos. They cheered on their favorite players. One young girl managed to high-five star forward Christian Pulisic as he walked past the crowd and onto the pitch. She stared at her hand, frozen with elation.
“I’m never washing this hand again,” she said to her parents.
Ironically, the excitement was more palpable for the anticipation of the players than the actual training session unfolding in front of everyone.
Less than 48 hours earlier, many of the U.S. players logged significant minutes in a 2-1 loss against Germany in their final friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago. Monday’s workload reflected that reality. After an energetic introduction, the players returned to the pitch for some stretching, light jogging and passing drills.
But the real star of the day wasn’t Pulisic, Weston McKennie or the return of Chris Richards. It was the facilities themselves.
The Great Park Sports Complex looked every bit like what a World Cup training ground should look like. The grass was green, manicured and flawless. Every field line looked freshly painted.
“The environment and facilities are great,” U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “The facilities and the people. It was an amazing combination … great facilities and great people. We’re so grateful.”
Irvine provided an immaculate backdrop worthy of a World Cup host nation for their first day at their new temporary home. But now the real work begins.
The USMNT has just a few days before its opening match of group play against Paraguay on Friday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. They have the resources. The facilities. The crowds. The attention. The expectations. Now they must prove they have the talent to compete with the world’s elite.
Monday was loud, festive and occasionally chaotic. It felt like thousands of supporters celebrating the possibility of what this team could become.
But beneath the carnival atmosphere, beyond the chants, pageantry and patriotism, the real work will begin behind closed gates and away from all the cameras. The USMNT will attempt to build something on this field that is capable of surviving the pressure of a World Cup on home soil.
The party has started, but the story has yet to be written.