U.S. Men’s Effort Seeks World Cup History: ‘Never Chase Reality. Chase Greatness’
Friday, December 5, 2025 at 07:49PM By Barry Janoff
December 5, 2025: On the same day as the FIFA World Cup Draw for the 2026 Men’s Tournament, U.S. Soccer launched a multi-media effort to support the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Calling it U.S. Soccer's largest national campaign to date, “Never Chase Reality” will build as the U.S. prepares to host the FIFA Men's World Cup — June 11-July 19, 2026 — for the first time since 1994.
Along with co-hosts Canada and Mexico, the expanded 48-nation Tournament will also be FIFA’s largest World Cup in its history.
According to U.S. Soccer, “With the FIFA World Cup returning to North America, 'Never Chase Reality' is designed to inspire a new generation of fans and unify the country behind the U.S. Men's National Team.”
“Soccer has always been about more than what happens on the field: it lives in our communities, in our fans, and in every person who believes in this team," Catherine Newman, U.S. Soccer chief marketing and communications officer, said via the organization
"The campaign reflects that spirit. It celebrates the resilience of our players and the passion of our fans as we unite behind a common purpose heading into 2026."
The U.S. Men’s National Team has played in 11 FIFA World Cups dating back to 1930 — including every event between 1990 and 2022 except for 2018 — but has never raised the ultimate trophy.
The U.S. qualified for the 2026 World Cup tournament as a host nation.
“Never Chase Reality” takes the reality of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup shortcomings and the global perception the squad can not compete with the best nations in the world and, instead, says “Chase dreams. Chase greatness. Chase legacy. That’s how we do it. Never chase reality.”
It references the achievement of such American dreams as inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful motor-operated airplane (without naming the Wright Brothers) and walking on the Moon.
"This campaign isn't just about soccer; it's about the American dream,” Marcello Hernandez, actor, comedian (Saturday Night Live) and lifelong soccer enthusiast, who narrates the 'Never Chase Reality'” anchor spot, said via U.S. Soccer. “Never chasing reality means ignoring the odds and daring to dream.
"I played soccer since I was four years old until college and have been a fan of the Men's and Women's U.S. National Team since I was a kid. So it's an honor to bring my passion and enthusiasm for the game to U.S. soccer."
According to U.S. Soccer, the campaign “honors the past, challenges expectations, and invites fans to believe in what's possible. Combining insights from fan research and sentiment analysis to reflecting the hope and ambition of the players, 'Never Chase Reality' reflects the journey to 26 for the Men's National Team.
"Never Chase Reality" relives iconic moments in U.S. Men's National Team history., including Paul Caligiuri's goal in 1989 to help qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years and Tyler Adams' 35-yard goal in March 2024 that clinched the CONCACAF Nations League title over Mexico.
The campaign will appear across broadcast, digital, social media, out-of-home, and fan experiences throughout the year.
"Never Chase Reality" was developed in-house by the Marketing-Communications Dept. at U.S. Soccer.
The full 1:40 second spot will also air in 60-, 30- and 15-second segments.
“Each scene embodies a century-long, unwavering pursuit of greatness and reflects the team's grit and determination to rise above every expectation,” according to U.S. Soccer.
In the anchor spot, which plays out to intense action on the pitch and frenzied fans in the stands, Hernandez offers in voiceover, “Reality says the odds are stacked against us. To think our men can never raise the world’s biggest trophy, be the first soccer team to beat them at football.
“But here’s the think about us. Refusing to accept reality is kind of our thing. Reality told us to stay grounded, We built planes, We walked on the Moon.
"The campaign celebrates the resilience of our players and the passion of our fans as we unite behind a common purpose heading into 2026."
“Reality told us not to dream, But we stand united, chasing legacy. Being unrealistic, that’s not a flaw. It’s a force. It’s a fuel. When the world says we won’t, our fans say: ‘I believe that we will win.’
“We haven’t lifted every men’s trophy — yet, But we have carried this fight for decades. We have enough grit to make the doubters eat their words. And when we spill blood in the name of the crest, it’s not blind belief. It’s how we play. The U.S. way.
“So, no, we’re not realistic at all. And we’re proud of it. Because if you want to be great and make history, chase dreams. Chase greatness. Chase legacy. Thats how we do it. Never chase reality.“
In Group D, the United States will face Paraguay, Australia and the winner of a UEFA playoff involving Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.
The U.S. Men’s National Team opening game will be against Paraguay scheduled for June 12 in SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles. The two other group games are against Australia in Seattle’s Lumen Stadium on June 19 and against the UEFA playoff winner in Sofi Stadium June 25.
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