For most players, the World Cup is the dream that shapes everything. For Auston Trusty, it’s no different.
The Celtic centre-back is expected to be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man United States squad for this summer’s tournament on home soil, but that opportunity didn’t just fall into place. His move to Glasgow in 2024, after leaving Sheffield United, was driven by a clear plan — to get himself back into the international picture.
When Trusty arrived at Celtic, he hadn’t featured for the U.S. in over a year. Getting back into that setup was front of mind.
“Every decision I’ve ever made in my career has been to put myself in a position to be in the World Cup,” he explained.
“So when I had the chance to come here, that’s why I took full advantage of it, because the eyes I get here, and the player I can become being a Celtic player, the mindset, the trophies, just being a Celtic player in general… it can really propel you into the next situation.
“So that was the real mindset of me coming here, to give myself the best opportunity to play in the national team.”
So far, it’s worked. Four of his six caps for the U.S. have come since joining Celtic, and he’s described the move as the “best decision ever”.
The United States have been drawn in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, with two of their group games set to take place in Los Angeles. For Trusty, that brings the tournament a little closer to home — even if “close” still means around 2,700 miles from where he grew up in Media, Pennsylvania.
Distance aside, the emotion of the occasion is what stands out.
“It would mean everything to me [to play at a World Cup],” he said.
“I know sometimes people think it’s not as calculated, but as a player, you really have to think about this stuff and put yourself in the best position to then go ahead and achieve your goals.
“That’s why coming to Celtic was really the best decision ever for me.”
The build-up to a World Cup on American soil has brought plenty of attention, not all of it positive. Rising ticket prices and logistical concerns have been part of the conversation, along with wider issues around the country itself. But Trusty isn’t getting drawn into any of that.
His focus is on what the tournament could mean for the sport back home.
“When we played Portugal and Belgium [in friendlies in March], I think we had almost 80,000 fans there or 70,000 or 60,000, whatever,” he added.
“There’s still a significant amount of people who showed up. It just shows the momentum that’s building and then obviously the branding and the marketing and the advertising and all the stuff that’s going around the big spectacle of the World Cup coming to the U.S. It’s going to be really big.
“I think it’ll be a big catalyst for the U.S. for football and soccer just to grow and for your little kids to maybe not pick American football, maybe not pick basketball, they pick soccer.
“That’s the identity they want to have and that’s the sport they want to choose to go for. I think the last World Cup was in 1994 and I wasn’t even born yet!
“I’ve seen the U.S. really embrace the World Cup, embrace football to its fullest. So in today’s world with all the technology and all that, everything on social media, I really think it will be amazing.”
Not everyone will make it there, though. His Celtic teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers is set to miss out after an Achilles injury that has kept him sidelined since October.
“I think he’s excited for the country,” Trusty said.
“I think regardless of the situation, you want soccer, football to advance in the country and keep growing and to inspire the next generation.
“Obviously, I think he’s sad to maybe be out of the mix, and a couple of other guys have gotten injured. I think he’s proud of all of us, whoever’s in it to enhance the game in America.”
The arrival of Pochettino as U.S. manager in September 2024 signalled a shift in direction for the national team. The former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea boss brings a different level of experience — and expectation.
Trusty has already felt that influence.
“He’s good, obviously. He’s a world-class coach,” he said.
“He’s coached some of the best players – if not the best players – in the entire world. So he’s a good guy, but also it’s really good to learn from him.
“Every coach is different. Some are managers, some are coaches, some are both. I think Mauricio is really, really hands-on and Martin is too. It’s hard to really compare.”
Celtic could have strong representation at the tournament across multiple nations. Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston are expected to be involved with Scotland, while players like Sebastian Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda are also in contention with their respective countries. Alistair Johnston is pushing to be fit for Canada, and Yang Hyun-jun remains in the frame for South Korea.
For Trusty, though, the challenge is keeping everything in perspective. The World Cup might be on the horizon, but there’s still a job to do at club level.
“It’s tough to really have that [World Cup] in the background and have so much to play for here [at Celtic] and not really think about it,” he admitted.
“But I think all of us who could possibly be involved in the World Cup for their countries just have to stay grounded and take it day by day.”