Some US players believe they can win the World Cup. Are they deluded?

Mauricio Pochettino's players have got off to a scorching start to the tournament. Going all the way will require the team reaching a whole new level

The United States can win the World Cup. The US players say so. So does Zlatan Ibrahimovi. Because you are a smart Guardian reader, you know that, theoretically, any team who are not yet eliminated can win the World Cup. And you know that this US team have won their opening two World Cup games convincingly, securing the top spot in Group D and a place in the knockout round with a game to spare. Making the World Cup final, and winning it, is in the realm of possibility.

But can they? Within the team, there has been belief they can go all the way for some time. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino laid down the marker in his introductory press conference, and has stuck to his belief. His players have followed suit. But now, even famous pundits with outsized egos are saying the US can shock the world and capture the men's World Cup for the first time on home soil.