Sebastian Berhalter calls father Gregg his best friend ahead of World Cup debut

Sebastian Berhalter will step onto the 2026 World Cup stage as a player when the United States face Paraguay on June 12 — four years after he attended the Qatar tournament purely as a spectator, watching his father Gregg coach the USMNT from the sidelines.

In a candid interview, the younger Berhalter described his relationship with his father in terms that go well beyond football. “He’s my dad, but he’s also, I think, my best friend,” he said. He was careful to clarify that their conversations are not simply about seeking approval or tactical guidance, but are natural and wide-ranging, extending beyond the game entirely. “To have someone like that in your corner is special. Not a lot of people get to have that, so I’m fortunate.”

Berhalter also addressed the scrutiny that has shadowed him since his academy days — the persistent suggestion that his opportunities were tied to his father’s position rather than his own ability. Rather than deflecting the criticism, he said he has used it as fuel. “If I ever did have a chance, I would have to work two times as hard as anyone else,” he said, noting that doubts about favoritism followed him from youth football all the way through his professional career.

The dynamic is a notable one. Gregg Berhalter led the United States to the 2022 World Cup round of sixteen before his tenure ended, and Sebastian never had the chance to represent the national team under his father’s management. With Mauricio Pochettino now in charge, that particular chapter is closed — but Sebastian says his focus is firmly on what lies ahead.

“It’s important to show that we can do it and just for the fans, to give them something to believe in, something to fight for,” he said.

The United States open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12, with the tournament running across the United States, Canada, and Mexico through to the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.