Rand Getlin, director-executive producer of the HBO documentary "U.S. Against the World," said the men's national soccer team is on a journey toward the 2026 World Cup.
The project captures a pivotal moment for the sport in the United States. By documenting the team's internal struggles and triumphs, the film aims to illustrate the expanding popularity of both men's and women's soccer across the country.
Speaking on the Daily Variety podcast, Getlin said the production followed the team for four years [1]. The documentary serves as a chronicle of the team's efforts to establish themselves as a global contender leading up to the tournament.
This timeline includes the team's performance in previous international competitions. The men's national team returned to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup [2], a milestone that set the stage for the current trajectory of the program.
Getlin said the narrative is a coming-of-age story. He said the film focuses on the road to the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing the growth of the players, and the program's evolution on the world stage.
The documentary will air on HBO in the United States. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation and pressure facing the squad as they seek to capitalize on the sport's growing momentum in North America.
“The documentary covers four years of the men's national soccer team.”
The release of this documentary coincides with a period of peak visibility for soccer in the U.S. as the country prepares to host the World Cup. By framing the national team's journey as a 'coming of age' story, HBO is positioning the team not just as athletes, but as symbols of the sport's cultural integration and maturation within the American sporting landscape.
