ATLANTA (May 13, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s National Team is gearing up for an exciting series of matches against Asian footballing giants Korea Republic and Japan, as anticipation continues to soar for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place on home soil.
This set of matches will be crucial for the USMNT, offering them a chance to gain invaluable experience against high-caliber teams from the Asian Football Confederation. These games also provide a potential preview of the styles and tactics they might encounter during the World Cup.
The first match features the USA hosting Korea Republic on September 6 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action live on TNT and Telemundo, with streaming available on Max, Universo, and Peacock.
Just days later, the USMNT will take on Japan on September 9 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. This matchup is particularly special, marking nearly 25 years since the USMNT’s inaugural appearance in Columbus, which has become a significant location in U.S. Soccer history. The match against the 15th-ranked Japanese team will commence at 7:30 p.m. ET and will also be broadcast live on TNT, Max, Universo, and Peacock.
Both matches will have live radio coverage, with Westwood One Sports providing English-language commentary from the venue for the first time. Meanwhile, the Spanish language call will be delivered by longtime partner Fútbol de Primera.
Tickets for these highly anticipated matches will go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. ET.
A presale for tickets will start on Wednesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. local venue time and conclude on Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
Fans who support the U.S. Soccer Development Fund through Circle memberships can expect individual customer support and concierge services for their ticketing needs. For more information, fans are encouraged to visit the designated webpage or contact [email protected].
To optimize the opportunity to purchase tickets ahead of the general public, fans can consider becoming U.S. Soccer Insiders, with Standard Insiders receiving free membership. More details are available on their website.
Visa cardholders will also enjoy a presale opportunity, as the official payment technology sponsor of U.S. Soccer. This presale will run from Thursday, May 15 at 4 p.m. ET until Friday, May 16 at 8 a.m. local venue time. Note that only Visa will be accepted during this presale.
Interestingly, the upcoming match against Korea Republic offers the USMNT a chance to equalize the all-time series, which currently stands at 2 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws. The last encounter between the teams took place over a decade ago on February 1, 2014, when Chris Wondolowski scored twice, leading to a 2-0 victory for the USA at a match in Carson, California.
A highlight in the history of this rivalry occurred during the 2002 FIFA World Cup when the United States played to a crucial 1-1 draw against co-host Korea, with Clint Mathis scoring and Brad Friedel saving a penalty.
Currently, South Korea sits atop Group 2 in the third round of Asian Football Confederation qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring the competitive nature of this matchup.
In contrast, the history between the U.S. and Japan has been less extensive, with only three meetings over the past two decades, the first of which was back in 1993. Notably, during a World Cup warm-up match in 2006, Taylor Twellman led the USA to a 3-2 win in San Francisco.
Their most recent meeting took place ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the U.S. fell to Japan 0-2 in Düsseldorf, Germany, before going on to reach the Round of 16 in Qatar.
Japan’s national team, known as the Samurai Blue, is currently riding a wave of momentum with a remarkable 12-match unbeaten streak dating back to February 2024. They have already secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making them the first team to qualify for the tournament, and have made it to the final competition in eight consecutive tournaments, reaching the Round of 16 in both the last World Cups.
The upcoming match against Korea Republic will mark nearly eight years since the USMNT played at Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls. The USA’s previous visit to this venue resulted in a memorable victory against Turkey, serving as a send-off match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
During that eventful evening on June 1, 2014, Fabian Johnson and Clint Dempsey scored to secure a 2-0 win, supported by impressive goalkeeping from Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.
Moreover, USMNT players Tyler Adams and Tim Weah are recognized alumni of the Red Bull Academy, and defender Tim Ream even started his professional career with the Red Bulls.
In Columbus, fans are well aware that the city holds a treasured place in USMNT history, particularly due to several critical victories against rival Mexico in World Cup qualifying matches. The team boasts an impressive record of 10 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws in this venue, with Lower.com Field offering a similar atmosphere to its predecessor, Historic Crew Stadium.
The stadium has previously hosted the USMNT for significant qualifying matches leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with notable wins contributing to the team’s legacy in Columbus.
On October 13, 2021, a sell-out crowd witnessed an exhilarating match against Costa Rica, and the U.S. emerged victorious with a memorable goal by Sergiño Dest equalizing just after a rocky start.
Just three months later, the USA faced off against El Salvador at Lower.com Field, with Antonee Robinson netting the decisive goal for another 1-0 victory, emphasizing the city’s importance in the team’s ongoing journey.
These matches present an exciting opportunity for the USMNT as they prepare for the World Cup, and fans are eager to witness the action unfold.
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