USA ‘hold talks with World Cup winner Argentina and Brazil over fall friendlies’

The United States has been in talks with World Cup winner Argentina and Brazil, another South American soccer heavyweight, about hosting two friendly matches in the fall.

According to Atléticothe games could be held in September, October or November, but discussions are currently in the early stages.

Last month, the USA was confirmed to host the 2024 Copa América in a move that keeps the team competitive for the 2026 World Cup, a competition it doesn’t have to qualify for because it already co-hosts with Mexico and Canada. .

But the US has also identified the need to keep their team playing top-tier international teams to keep improving after reaching the World Cup Round of 16 in Qatar last year. There, the team was defeated 3-1 by the Netherlands.

Potential friendly games could also see Lionel Messi compete on American soil. The Argentine star has been heavily linked with a move to David Beckham’s Major League Soccer team Inter Miami and his current contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the European club’s season.

Lionel Messi and Argentina could play against the United States in a friendly match later this year

The United States is also said to be in talks to host a match against Neymar and Brazil.

Messi, 35, has indicated that he wants to continue playing for Argentina now that they are world champions.

Meanwhile, Brazil reached the World Cup quarterfinals before losing to Croatia on penalties.

Since then, the US has played two friendly matches since the World Cup, but without its European-based players due to their club competition commitments. They lost 2-1 to Serbia and drew 0-0 with Colombia.

The USA’s next games are against Grenada and El Salvador in March in the CONCACAF Nations League.

The team currently has Anthony Hudson acting as interim head coach after Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired while US Soccer investigates a domestic violence incident involving his now-wife in 1991, when they were dating as teenagers.

Berhalter admitted to kicking his wife in the legs in a drunken brawl and months later, they reconciled and have been together ever since. The incident was leaked to US Soccer by the parents of Gio Reyna, a US international on the team at the World Cup.

The investigation is still ongoing and Berhalter remains a candidate to continue as USA’s coach.

Another coaching option is Jesse Marsch, who was sacked by English Premier League side Leeds United on Monday.

USA looking to stay competitive against top international teams to help grow

In the last World Cup, the United States reached the round of 16 before losing 3-1 to the Netherlands