Berhalter's World Cup Triumph.
Sebastian Berhalter Makes Long-Awaited US National Team Debut, Outperforming Father's World Cup Record.
Sebastian Berhalter made history at the 2026 World Cup on June 25, scoring a goal and adding an assist against Turkey — becoming the first American to do both in a single World Cup match in 96 years, according to Concacaf. The 25-year-old midfielder did it in his first World Cup start, in a 3-2 US loss.
The performance was remarkable on its own. It was even more so given the family backstory: Sebastian's father, Gregg, coached — and once played for — the same US national team. Sebastian had to wait for a new coach to even get a call-up, LA Times reported.
From Toddler at the World Cup to Record-Breaker
Sebastian was just 13 months old when his father, Gregg, played in the 2002 World Cup. At age 5, he watched Gregg play again in Germany in 2006. Now, 20 years later, Sebastian has already topped his father's career stats at the tournament: Gregg finished with 0 World Cup goals and 0 assists, according to LA Times.
"To have an assist and a goal in a single game in the World Cup is incredible," Gregg said. "He's proven he belongs there," per FIFA. The last American to match the feat was Bert Patenaude — back in 1930, according to Concacaf.
Pochettino Opens the Door Gregg Could Not
Sebastian never got a call-up while his father ran the team. Analysts say the optics of nepotism would have made it nearly impossible, according to FOX Sports. Gregg was fired in July 2024 after the US crashed out of the Copa América in the group stage.
New coach Mauricio Pochettino gave Sebastian his first senior call-up in May 2025. He made his debut on June 11, 2025 against Switzerland. By the end of that summer, he had started five straight matches in the Concacaf Gold Cup and recorded two assists. Sebastian scored his first international goal in November 2025 against Uruguay, according to US Soccer.
A 'Monster' Midfielder Dominates the Turkey Match
Coach Pochettino has called Sebastian "a monster" — praising his fitness and saying he can play "two games in a row" without fatigue, according to MLSSoccer.com. Against Turkey, Sebastian led all players with 89 touches and created 5 chances, 2 of them big ones.
Sebastian said the moment felt surreal. "Before the game, I just kept chuckling to myself, like, 'What the hell is going on?'" he told LA Times. "Playing for my country, it's the best feeling in the world." Teammate Brenden Aaronson added: "He's a guy that gives his all day in and day out in training... he deserves this moment," per MLSSoccer.com.
One Bragging Right Still Belongs to Dad — For Now
Gregg still holds one edge over his son. The 2002 US team was the first American squad to win a knockout game at a World Cup. Sebastian has not yet done that. The US faces Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in the Round of 32, according to LA Times.
A win tonight would let Sebastian match — and arguably surpass — his father's legacy at the tournament. The US scored 8 goals in the group stage, topping the previous record of 7 set in 1930 and matched in 2002, per Concacaf. The stage is set for the younger Berhalter to write the next chapter.
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