USA adopts Mexico's World Cup rallying cry: 'Why not us?'

The Mexican national soccer team is embracing the phrase "¿Y si sí?" (What if yes?) as a rallying cry for the 2026 World Cup. This slogan, once a casual expression of hope, has become a symbol of national aspiration, particularly after recent matches. Fans have turned it into a chant, reflecting a collective dream of seeing Mexico reach the quarterfinals or even win the tournament.

Interestingly, the United States, co-host of the 2026 World Cup, is also adopting a motivational slogan. US coach Mauricio Pochettino, speaking on a popular sports show, introduced the phrase "Why not us?". He aims to imbue the American team and its fans with the same spirit of possibility that Mexico's slogan represents.

Pochettino highlighted the United States' history of achieving great things, from landing on the moon to its global power status, and questioned why success in soccer should be an exception. This mirrors the sentiment behind Mexico's "¿Y si sí?", suggesting a shared ambition among the co-hosts to make a significant impact on the world stage.