USMNT striker Matthew Hoppe asserts that he and other Americans playing in Europe need to put in more effort to grab attention, as he aims to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup
Hoppe, who is currently on loan at Hibernian from Middlesbrough, thinks that American players competing in Europe need to put in extra effort to make an impact.
He hopes to participate in the 2026 World Cup finals. Despite being only 22 years old, Hoppe has already played in England, Germany, Spain, and Scotland, and has been capped eight times by his country.
Hoppe was not in USMNT squad in Qatar
However, he is now seeking to advance his career to the next level.
He told Daily Record: “As a young player, an American in Europe, I think you have to do more than other players are doing.
“It is important to have a good relationship with the coach and figure out what you can improve because even if you’re not playing, there are always ways because you have a career ahead of you and other games to play
“It is important to find out what you can do. The biggest reason behind coming here [Hibernian on loan] was the game time, to be able to get minutes here has been amazing and it has allowed me to see aspects of my game that I have to work on or I’m a bit rusty on.
“I just need to sharpen those up. Maybe get a few more goals and then we will see what happens, I have to focus on what I’m doing here, doing the best I can with this club.”
Hoppe hopes to participate in 2026 World Cup
Hope was not selected for 2022 Qatar World Cup but he aims to participate in 2026 World Cup, where his homeland alongside Mexico and Canada are host.
He added:“It is in three years and things can change within a week. When I was in Germany, I was in the second team, my contract was going to end in the summer and I think I had one start in 20 games.
“But then I hear I am training with the first team on the Monday and then I was starting for the first team on the Saturday, so it all changed in the space of one week. If it is meant to happen, it will happen.
“I’ve just got to keep putting the work because I can improve a lot in three years and, hopefully, can get in the squad.”
