NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Miles Robinson knows his value as a center back and is confident he can make an impact for the United States men’s national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Of course, it’s not up to Robinson to decide if he’s worthy enough to make this year’s U.S. list.
That’s the job of USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who will lead his first World Cup in the colors of the Stars and Stripes. But he knows what Robinson brings to the table, having been part of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup team last summer.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Miles Robinson of the United States men’s national team poses for a portrait in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 11, 2025. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Robinson won’t know his fate until May 26, but as he focuses on the present with his club FC Cincinnati during this Major League Soccer season, he’s still thinking about what it might mean to play in his first World Cup of his career.
“It would mean so many things. I think it’s one of those things where I imagined myself, like when I was seven, watching the World Cup or something. I almost dreamed that I could do it, but I never really believed it. Then playing for the national team and things like that,” he told PK Press Club Digital, while highlighting his partnership with Bounty.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL THINKS TEAM USA CAN SHOCK THE WORLD AT THE NEXT WORLD CUP
“So for that to happen it would have to come full circle where I make sure I tell other kids that I really believe in myself and I think that’s the kind of thought process that can take people way further than they can really imagine. It’s just that deep sense of trust in yourself and your grounding in love. It can really go a long way.”
Self-confidence was tested for Robinson after suffering a ruptured left Achilles tendon in May 2022 – just a month before potentially competing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He was widely expected to be part of former head coach Gregg Berhalter’s team, but during a match against the Chicago Fire, he suffered an injury that forced him to leave the club.
It was a difficult time for Robinson, as one might expect. But it also pushed him down a path that forced him to demonstrate mental and physical courage. Now he thinks it made him a better player and person than ever.
We prepared for this World Cup moment four years later.
Miles Robinson of the United States arrives to participate in a USMNT training session at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta, Georgia, March 25, 2026. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
“I think it’s in these difficult times that you learn the most about yourself,” he explained. “I definitely learned a lot about overcoming challenges, on and off the field. I think it was a tough time for me, but I grounded myself in gratitude and I was very thankful for my friends and family who supported me, and my teammates who wished me good things, my leg and things like that.
“Then I recognized that it was me versus me. It’s not anything else. I just wanted to keep getting better just for myself rather than for anything else or anyone else. That’s when I definitely took the next step in my career and my development as a player and as a person.”
USMNT CAPTAIN TYLER ADAMS SAYS FIFA WORLD CUP CAN ‘BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER’ DESPITE ‘CRAZY’ TIMES AROUND THE WORLD
Healthy and hungry, Robinson has his sights set on this USMNT team, but he also understands he’ll be around until May 26. That includes focusing on FC Cincinnati’s game against Inter Miami, the team that bounced it in last year’s MLS playoffs, on Wednesday night at home.
“Every game is an opportunity to show yourself, but also to improve. For Miami and Cincinnati, Miami kicked us out of the playoffs last year, so we had that bit of a bitter taste in our mouth,” he said. “For us it’s about focusing on how we play, how we press and if we do that it should be a great game. In the back of our minds it’s the future, but we try to focus on the present.”
While Robinson and the rest of the USMNT prospects are focused on the present with their respective clubs, they are also hanging in the balance, like the rest of soccer fans, hoping to hear their names called to represent their country in the world’s biggest tournament.
“I’m just grateful to be in this situation, potentially on the roster,” Robinson admitted. “I’m just trying to get through it. I’m healthy. … Overall, I’m just grateful and I’m definitely excited because I know this summer is going to be amazing.”
Miles Robinson of the United States looks for a pass during an international friendly soccer match against Turkey at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut, June 7, 2025. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
CLEAN WITH BOUNTY
One way for Robinson to take his mind off the potential USMNT roster is to grill in his free time on his deck in Cincinnati. It’s a passion of his to prepare food for his teammates, friends and family, but the more there is, the more likely there is a disaster.
Robinson has teamed up with Bounty, the American paper towel brand, to preach about the proper way to clean up messes, whether at home or before a game.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
“Biggest mess I’ve probably ever cleaned up. Recently I was grilling on my patio and I had a drink spill and there was glass and drink everywhere,” he revealed. “Luckily I had Bounty and one sheet wiped everything out. Honestly, everything was fine.
“Sometimes I have to clean up some of my teammates’ mistakes and Bounty tied it in with this sponsorship, so I’m proud to be a part of them because they always clean up the mess too.”
Watch 3 days of the FIFA World Cup for free after 5/18 or before. Start your free trial or try it for free.
