How does one identify a soccer team that is operating at peak efficiency? Is it a sense of camaraderie or simply a well-functioning locker room? It’s often described as a ’tight-knit group,’ or perhaps, in more contemporary terms, just ‘vibes.’
However, while such sentiments matter, assembling a team with top-tier players is often viewed as the more critical factor in achieving success. Only eight nations have triumphed in men’s FIFA World Cup history. The latest UEFA Champions League victors — PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea — are among the wealthiest franchises globally.
Yet, a cohesive team working towards a unified objective often proves to be more potent than the sum of its parts, as seen when Leicester City triumphantly defied 5000-1 odds to clinch the Premier League in 2016 or when Greece pulled off an upset against Portugal in the 2004 European Championship.
How is this quality of togetherness measured? Three-time World Cup veteran and Hall of Famer Cobi Jones shared, “It’s probably the most important thing.”
I recently spoke with Jones, who plans to launch his new podcast, Cobi Club, in 2026, to delve deeper into this concept that is particularly relevant as the next World Cup approaches.
U.S. legend Cobi Jones expresses hope that Christian Pulisic and Mauricio Pochettino will reconnect harmony before the World Cup.
USMNT fans have actively debated the significance of team chemistry since spring, notably after a recently lost match against Panama, followed later by a surprising performance in the Gold Cup final by a less experienced squad.
Such conversations were reignited recently when Coach Mauricio Pochettino re-invited Pulisic to the roster but excluded McKennie, among others, for upcoming matches.
Christian Pulisic is set to rejoin the U.S. squad for important friendlies (Photo by Logan Riely/USSF/Getty Images for USSF).
Jones understands the drivers of team success and failure, recalling the toxic environment that characterized the 1998 U.S. World Cup squad under then-coach Steve Sampson versus the effective team-building approach of Bruce Arena.
Jones remarked, “You can have world-class talent and do poorly if the vibe isn’t right. You will be together constantly leading up to the World Cup, living closely. You need a good vibe; otherwise, issues will arise.”
Having amassed a USMNT record of 164 international caps, Jones now holds a significant legacy, with achievements including MLS Cups and a Gold Cup win. However, the key to a successful World Cup run lies in harnessing both talent and synergy.
Concerning the 2026 World Cup, Jones conveyed, “To realize something special, timing is everything. A lot of elements need to mesh together.”
Even successful squads, like the French 1998 team, can face challenges in maintaining their dominance. He remains optimistic that today’s U.S. team will find a way to succeed together.
