Capturing the USMNT’s Success: Behind HBO’s “U.S. Against the World” Team

The USMNT is on fire at the 2026 World Cup, making it to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 with stars like Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, and Tim Ream leading the charge. But what got them here is a story worth telling, and it’s all laid out in the HBO Max docuseries U.S. Against the World: Four Years with the Men’s National Soccer Team.

Over four pivotal years, this five-part series gives viewers an in-depth look at the USMNT’s rise to prominence, from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to their journey to the 2026 Cup, capturing the triumphs and struggles of a team carving out a spot in the world of soccer.

Behind the scenes, Park Stories took the reins to bring this project to life before a distributor was even on board. It was a risky move, with executive producer Rand Getlin explaining, “We were on our own, funding everything ourselves. It was a real DIY effort from day one, with no external support or financing.”

Their faith in the project stemmed from their previous work on Prodigy, a series showcasing up-and-coming athletes on Quibi. That experience opened doors for them within U.S. Soccer and the U.S. Players Association, laying the groundwork for what would become U.S. Against the World.

Getlin and creative director Lucas Harger chat about the challenges of finding a home for the series, the unique production approach, and capturing those pivotal moments that define the USMNT’s journey.

When it came to selling the series, Getlin and the team faced rejection from all corners before the 2022 World Cup. But they persisted, taking a chance on financing the project themselves and heading to Qatar with no guarantees. Luckily, the team’s performance caught the eye of several potential buyers, leading to a competitive process that ended with HBO as the series’ home.

Why HBO? Getlin cites their creative freedom and stellar track record as reasons for choosing the network.

The series opener sets the tone with a stunning title sequence featuring game footage and music by Hannah Parrot and Muhammad “Mvstermind” Austin. Harger explains how that collaboration came to be, shaping the show’s visual and auditory identity.

As for the story itself, Harger emphasizes the player-centric narrative and intimate approach to storytelling. With no narrator, the series relies on the players themselves to guide viewers through their experiences, giving a behind-the-scenes peek into their world.

The small production team played a key role in maintaining that intimacy, with Getlin detailing the crew’s size and approach to capturing those raw, emotional moments.

With the USMNT’s journey far from over, U.S. Against the World promises to be a gripping ride through triumphs, setbacks, and everything in between. It’s a must-watch for any soccer fan looking to get an up-close look at the making of America’s soccer stars.