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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has spoken, the USA can win this World Cup
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- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has spoken, the USA can win this World Cup
Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images
Two matches, two wins, and the mood around the USMNT has changed quickly. The doubts over Mauricio Pochettino's work have faded after convincing victories over Paraguay and Australia .
The conversation now sounds very different. What started as hope for a strong home tournament has already turned into talk of something much bigger among some supporters.
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That may still feel ambitious, but the idea gained extra weight after Zlatan Ibrahimovic was asked directly about the United States' chances.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says USMNT can win the World Cup
Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox Sports via Getty Images
During FOX Sports' broadcast after the 2-0 win over Australia, Rebecca Lowe asked Ibrahimovic whether the USMNT had a chance to win the tournament.
His answer was short, but striking: "Yes."
That matters because Ibrahimovic rarely speaks without force. The Sweden superstar built his reputation on confidence and brutal honesty.
Therefore, when he gives the United States that kind of backing, it carries weight. This is not empty hype from someone trying to please a home audience.
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USMNT dream of joining World Cup winners club
Only seven of the 48 teams at this World Cup have won the tournament before: Argentina , Brazil , England , France , Germany , Spain and Uruguay .
That shows the scale of what the USMNT are chasing. Winning a first World Cup on home soil would be historic, especially as an underdog compared to more star-studded squads.
Still, the level shown so far is fuelling the dream. The United States are organised, intense and growing at the right time.
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