Chris Richards backs Zlatan's bold US World Cup claim: 'Not ridiculous'

The United States men's national team has long been seen as a developing force in world football, but a recent comment from Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sparked a fresh debate. Now USMNT defender Chris Richards has weighed in, agreeing with the former AC Milan and LA Galaxy striker that the Stars and Stripes have a genuine chance to lift the World Cup.

What happened

Speaking to reporters, the Crystal Palace center-back echoed Ibrahimovic's sentiment that the US should not be dismissed as contenders on the global stage. Richards described the notion as 'not ridiculous', adding weight to a claim that might have seemed far-fetched just a few years ago. The 23-year-old defender, who has earned 13 caps for his country, is part of a young and talented core that is increasingly gaining experience at top European clubs.

Why it matters

The USMNT is currently enjoying a golden generation of talent, with players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams plying their trade at elite clubs. The team's run to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar showed they can compete with established nations. With the 2026 tournament set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the opportunity to make a deep run—or even win it all—has never been more realistic. Richards' comments reflect a growing belief within the squad that they can achieve something special.

What it means

For a nation that has traditionally been an underdog in football, having players like Richards publicly back such an ambitious goal is significant. It signals a shift in mentality from simply hoping to qualify to expecting to compete for trophies. The 2026 World Cup—with its group stage matches and knockout rounds largely on home soil—could provide the perfect platform for this team to prove the skeptics wrong. While the road to glory is long and the competition fierce, the USMNT now has a defender who isn't afraid to think big.