The United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT) is set to take on FIFA’s No. 6-ranked national team, Portugal, in a friendly match scheduled for March at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Sources confirm that this match will be part of a March international window that is critical for teams preparing for the upcoming World Cup.
In addition to the match against Portugal, the U.S. Soccer Federation is reportedly working on finalizing an exhibition match against Belgium within the same timeframe.
While Atlanta is a strong contender to host the Belgium match, alternatives are being considered, including locations in the Washington, D.C. area.
This two-match window is crucial as it marks the last opportunity for participating World Cup teams to finalize their 26-player rosters before the tournament.
The Athletic first reported the potential matchups against both Belgium and Portugal.
The friendly match in Atlanta coincides with the anticipated opening of U.S. Soccer’s new state-of-the-art training facility in Fayetteville, which is expected to open its doors this spring.
The USMNT will start training at this expansive, 200-acre complex in May and early June, just before they head to their World Cup base camp in Southern California.
The Americans will begin their World Cup journey on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, competing against an opponent yet to be determined in the December draw.
Known as ‘The Benz’, Mercedes-Benz Stadium boasts a capacity of 71,000 and serves as the home for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of Major League Soccer.
Both franchises are owned by billionaire Arthur Blank, founder of Home Depot, who has made significant contributions to the growth of soccer in Georgia.
Blank donated $50 million to the USSF training ground that bears his name, and his company operates the $2 billion retractable roof stadium that opened in 2017.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to host eight matches during the 2026 World Cup, trailing only AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which will have more.
Atlanta has a strong track record of supporting the home side at soccer events.
Last year, a friendly match featuring the U.S. women’s national team drew in more than 50,000 fans to The Benz, setting a new record for attendance.
The USMNT previously played just once at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, resulting in a 2-1 loss to Panama during the first round of the 2024 Copa América, with nearly 60,000 fans in attendance.
Portugal, who recently clinched the UEFA Nations League title, comes into this match with a mixed recent record against the U.S., having gone winless in their last four meetings.
One of the highlights of their encounters was a dramatic 3-2 victory for the U.S. during the 2002 World Cup.
Their last World Cup clash ended in a 1-1 draw in Brazil in 2014, with Cristiano Ronaldo assisting a stoppage-time equalizer for Portugal.
The 40-year-old superstar is recognized as the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer history and last played on U.S. soil in August 2014 in a friendly for Real Madrid against Manchester United in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The U.S. men’s team has faced Belgium five times, with their sole victory dating back to the inaugural 1930 World Cup.
Their last encounter in the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup saw Belgium advance after extra time.
Doug McIntyre, a soccer reporter for FOX Sports, has extensive experience covering the national teams at FIFA World Cups across five continents.
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