[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-mckennie-butterflies-not-fear-for-world-cup-pressure":43,"news-related-mckennie-butterflies-not-fear-for-world-cup-pressure-en":75,"news-related-match-mckennie-butterflies-not-fear-for-world-cup-pressure-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":28,"hostCities":39},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",6,23,"upcoming",[40,41,42],"Mexico City","Monterrey","Zapopan",{"article":44},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":45,"category":46,"excerpt":47,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":48,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":52,"slug":53,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":55,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":58,"teamNames":66,"title":74},"Weston McKennie, the Juventus midfielder and United States international, has opened up about the upcoming 2026 World Cup on home soil in an exclusive interview with FIFA channels. With the tournament now less than a year away, McKennie spoke candidly about the emotions, expectations, and personal drive that define his approach to the biggest stage in football.\n\nFor McKennie, the World Cup represents more than just a competition—it's a homecoming. \"When I think about this World Cup, the first word that comes to mind is 'home,'\" he said. \"Playing in front of family and friends, people who don't usually get to see me play live—it's a dream.\" The midfielder emphasized that the support of American fans could be a decisive factor, creating an intimidating atmosphere for opponents.\n\nOn the pitch, McKennie sees his primary role as an energy provider. \"My job is to do what I do best: bring energy, a bit of joy, and make sure everyone understands the task—win matches,\" he explained. \"I want to be a reference point on the field, adding that little spark.\" His comments reflect a player who understands the importance of leadership by example, especially in a young, ambitious squad.\n\nWhen asked about the pressure of hosting a World Cup, McKennie dismissed the notion entirely. \"I don't see it as pressure. I see it as excitement,\" he said. \"Throughout my career, I've been in high-pressure situations—back against the wall, underdog. This is just part of the game.\" He added, \"Before big games, I get butterflies. That nervousness tells me I care. I'm not afraid; I'm ready.\"\n\nThe midfielder also credited manager Mauricio Pochettino for instilling a competitive edge. \"He's brought a wave of energy. No one feels safe; you have to earn your spot every day,\" McKennie noted. \"Playing for big clubs doesn't guarantee anything. That's healthy for the group.\"\n\nReflecting on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, McKennie acknowledged that the team underperformed. \"We know we could have done more. We're our own harshest critics,\" he admitted. \"Since then, we've had disappointments but also successes, like winning the Nations League. We're hungry to prove ourselves.\"\n\nMcKennie also touched on the broader growth of soccer in the United States. \"Compared to American football, baseball, basketball, soccer has been secondary. But with this World Cup, we have a chance to change perceptions,\" he said. \"We're picking up the baton from those who came before us and pushing the sport forward.\"\n\nIn moments of difficulty, McKennie relies on a simple philosophy. \"My trust is in my desire to win and my work ethic. Keeping my head down and working hard has gotten me through every obstacle,\" he stated. \"When I walk out of the tunnel for a World Cup match, I get a flashback of the journey—my family, my supporters. Then I say, 'Let's do this.'\"\n\nAs the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, McKennie's message is clear: the U.S. team is ready to surprise. With a blend of youthful exuberance and hard-earned experience, they aim not just to participate but to leave a lasting mark on the tournament and on American soccer.\n\nBased on reporting from Tuttosport.com - Calcio.","news","Juventus' Weston McKennie shares excitement for 2026 World Cup in USA, discussing his role, team ambitions, and why he thrives under pressure.","328598443951919105","326135624606158848","Serie A","0","2026-05-09T14:56:14Z","mckennie-butterflies-not-fear-for-world-cup-pressure","Tuttosport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tuttosport.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcalcio\u002Fserie-a\u002Fjuventus\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F09-148508071\u002Fcon_le_spalle_al_muro_ma_quale_pressione_ho_le_farfalle_nello_stomaco_mckennie_inedito_si_racconta\u002F","326222713016291328","USA",[56,59,60,61,62,63,64,65],"326257539542945792","326222712898850816","326222707169431552","326222707337203712","326222712592666624","326222713054040064","326255038034874368",[57,67,68,69,70,71,72,73],"Juventus","Qatar","Anderlecht","Standard Liege","Congo DR","Haiti","FSV Mainz 05","McKennie: 'Butterflies, Not Fear' for World Cup Pressure",[76,104,131,165],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":77,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":78,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":79,"slug":80,"sourceName":81,"sourceURL":82,"teamId":83,"teamName":84,"teamIds":85,"teamNames":94,"title":103},"Mauricio Pochettino has held initial talks with AC Milan about their managerial vacancy, though his focus stays on the 2026 World Cup with the United States.","335536741324689409","2026-05-28T19:37:40Z","pochettino-in-ac-milan-talks-usmnt-future-unclear","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc794gn7n955o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257539333230592","AC Milan",[83,56,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93],"326257807630274560","326222712110321664","326257545918287872","326257546094448640","326257539366785024","326257565501493248","326257546220277760","326257536078450688",[84,57,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102],"Southampton","Argentina","Liverpool","Tottenham","Cagliari","Espanyol","Chelsea","Paris Saint Germain","Pochettino in AC Milan Talks: USMNT Future Unclear",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":105,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":106,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":107,"slug":108,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":109,"teamId":59,"teamName":67,"teamIds":110,"teamNames":120,"title":130},"Bernardo Silva nears free transfer to Barcelona after Man City exit, beating Juve and Atletico. Deal close; player wants World Cup certainty.","335531490525843457","2026-05-28T19:25:18Z","bernardo-silva-to-barcelona-what-it-means-for-juve","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tuttosport.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcalcio\u002Fserie-a\u002Fjuventus\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F28-148921127\u002Fbernardo_silva_niente_juve_vicinissimo_a_firmare_con_il_barcellona_lindiscrezione_dal_portogallo\u002F",[59,111,112,113,63,64,114,115,116,117,118,119],"326257565233057792","326257546258026496","326257545754710016","326255039171530752","326255041851691008","326257565535047680","326257565195309056","326222712143876096","326257604382691328",[67,121,122,123,71,72,124,125,126,127,128,129],"Atletico Madrid","Manchester City","Newcastle","Dinamo Minsk","Cherno More Varna","Real Madrid","Barcelona","Portugal","GOES","Bernardo Silva to Barcelona: What It Means for Juve",{"awayTeamId":132,"awayTeamName":133,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":134,"homeTeamId":135,"homeTeamName":136,"id":137,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":138,"matchName":139,"publishedAt":140,"slug":141,"sourceName":142,"sourceURL":143,"teamId":144,"teamName":145,"teamIds":146,"teamNames":155,"title":164},"326257539651997696","Bologna","Napoli have agreed a two-year deal with Massimiliano Allegri, succeeding Antonio Conte, pending resolution with AC Milan.","326257539425505280","Napoli","335499931622051841","327053597239939072","Napoli vs Bologna","2026-05-28T16:56:46Z","massimiliano-allegri-set-to-join-napoli-on-two-year-contract","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FNaples-aurait-choisi-massimiliano-allegri-pour-les-deux-prochaines-saisons\u002F1679680#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257593842405376","Naples",[144,135,132,83,147,148,149,150,151,152,59,153,154,61],"326222767416414208","326257541291970560","326257561546264576","326257600507154432","326257610309242880","326257664612896768","326257539769438208","326257661500723200",[145,136,133,84,156,157,158,159,160,161,67,162,163,69],"Lesotho","Trabzonspor","Sonderjyske","Deportivo Pasto","Club Queretaro","Finland","Inter","Italy","Massimiliano Allegri Set to Join Napoli on Two-Year Contract",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":166,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":167,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":168,"slug":169,"sourceName":170,"sourceURL":171,"teamId":172,"teamName":173,"teamIds":174,"teamNames":181,"title":188},"Mauricio Pochettino has held talks with AC Milan, but US Soccer says the focus is on the World Cup. The USMNT opened camp with friendlies before facing","335497072708947969","2026-05-28T16:53:41Z","pochettino-milan-talks-what-usmnt-world-cup-hopes-mean","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fmay\u002F28\u002Fmauricio-pochettino-in-talks-with-milan-amid-broader-interest-as-us-opens-world-cup-camp","326257590726037504","Charlotte",[172,175,176,177,178,61,179,113,93,180,89,83],"326222712936599552","326222711783165952","326222712076767232","326257661743992832","326222713142120448","326257688839196672",[173,182,183,184,185,69,186,123,102,187,98,84],"Paraguay","Senegal","Germany","Georgia","Canada","The Strongest","Pochettino Milan Talks: What USMNT World Cup Hopes Mean"]