MIAMI — Tension and stakes rise daily in the men’s FIFA World Cup as we dig deep enough into the group stage that teams have begun to qualify for the Round of 32 or be eliminated from contention. And so has arisen one thoroughly unexpected sub-theme of the quadrennial soccer tournament happening across the U.S., Canada and Mexico:

Can the American team actually win this thing? One might well hear the question said with incredulity or sarcasm ... but the question is being asked.

Three quick thoughts:

— Thank you, United States Men’s National Team, for an early showing impressive enough to have already clinched the top of Group D and an advance to the knockout phase of this global event. How refreshing that the oft-ridiculous notion of Team USA actually winning it all is being entertained at least somewhat plausible. No need to fixate on when or if it will end; enjoy the ride.

— If you are flatly predicting after two group-stage wins that America will raise it’s first men’s World Cup, you might be crazy.

— If you are flatly stating the U.S. has zero chance to be champion, well, you sound like an idiot.

It has never happened before. So what? Who’s to say international futbol isn’t ready to begrudgingly welcome a new epoch in the sport, and that is might be led by a host nation that proves itself a sleeping giant awakened?

This is the 23rd men’s World Cup since the first in 1930, and only eight nations have ever won — meaning eight nations had never won soccer’s biggest trophy ... until they did. The powers in futbol tend to shift every four years or so; that’s why this event has not had a back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and ‘62.

The most recent first-time winner was Spain in 2010. Maybe it’s time for another.

“Why not US?” read the banners held by American fans helping fill the stadiums.

The women’s U.S. national team has won four World Cups, most of any nation. And yet it is so impossible for so many to acknowledge even the possibility it was just a matter of time before the men closed the gap?

The World Cup is a dream machine. Believing is free, and you can have as much as you please.

So: “Why not US?”

The Americans’ 4-1 rout of Paraguay and then a 2-0 shutout against Australia make this the first World Cup since the first in 1930 to see two U.S. victories in group play, let alone two in a row.

“We need to keep believing and approach every single day like we did from day one: Believing we could win,” says U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino. “Building our journey every day ...”

The U.S. plays Türkiye on Thursday in Los Angeles but need not win or even tie, and a loss would be meaningless. The first Round of 32 match is likeliest to be against Bosnia or Qatar, and the U.S. would be a big favorite over either. So reaching the Group of 16 is expected at this point.

Then the true test would arrive. Then the proving would begin. Then the Americans would have a chance to declare their No. 13 FIFA world ranking is too low.

Former Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now a broadcaster, was asked on the Fox set if he thinks the U.S. can win the World Cup.

“Yes,” he said without discernable hesitation.

Can win isn’t the same as will win, so yes is the reasonable answer.

Yet so many media curmudgeons and fans outside the U.S. react to the question as if it’s silly to even entertain the possibility. Even Tim Howard, a former U.S. national team goalkeeper, said on a podcast it is “literally impossible” for the U.S. to win the World Cup.

Dear Tim: Educate yourself. Look up the words “literally” and “impossible.” Because the Americans shocking the world by winning the Cup is neither.

Dan Le Batard said on his podcast Monday the U.S. has “zero” chance to win it all. That’s the predictable, old-habit stance of someone who maybe failed to discern in the first two games — albeit against mediocre foes — that this U.S. team looks different, is plainly better.

And soccer, where every goal is gold and there aren’t many, is a sport where margins are small and anything can happen.

It’s why in this World Cup, Spain, still a co-favorite with France, was tied 0-0 by little Cape Verde. Why mighty Brazil settled for a 1-1 draw with Morocco. Why the sublime Lionel Messi and reigning champ Argentina only beat Austria 2-nil Monday on two more Messi goals.

In this sport teams of great stature and reputation can be surprised. England, among favorites again in 2026, is said to have invented modern soccer ... yet last won a World Cup since 1966 and hasn’t reached a final since.

None of this is to say or predict the U.S. will win this World Cup (please repeat that). I am not saying the U.S. is better than France, Spain or Argentina. What I am saying is that to state as fact this team has no chance at all is simply dumb.

The top American players — Christian Pulisic, Weston McKinnie, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson and more — play for major top-level international clubs, have been playing their whole lives and now make up the most skilled, fastest U.S. side I have seen.

And this is no longer a “new sport” in America. It was during the late ‘70s of the NASL, and even was in a way when the U.S. last hosted a World Cup in 1994.

Now American soccer is all grown up.

Now, “Why not US?” is a question rhetorical but also fair.

It’s OK for American soccer fans to dream and to believe more than ever. And it’s up to the rest of the world to make us stop.

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