Alabama’s Chris Richards featured in docuseries following U.S. Soccer to the 2026 World Cup

It has been four years since the U.S. men’s soccer team graced the World Cup stage. Ever since the squad’s round-of-16 exit against the Netherlands, the entire U.S. Soccer program has been locked in on the 2026 tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Now, fans can get an inside look at that high-stakes journey. HBO Max has released a new docuseries tracking the USMNT as they prepare to compete on home soil for the first time since 1994, and one of the stars of the production is Birmingham’s own Chris Richards.

From Alabama to the World Stage

Richards has become a vital piece of the U.S. Soccer puzzle over the last several years. As he prepares for his first-ever World Cup appearance, the docuseries highlights the unique path he took to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

In the series, Richards reflects on his upbringing in the South, where he navigated life as a biracial athlete playing both basketball and soccer. "I’m a mixed kid playing both sports," Richards said in the docuseries. "I already feel like the odd man out on both sides of the spectrum. I just kind of embraced it."

A Global Career Path

That resilience propelled Richards from the FC Dallas youth academy to the prestigious Bayern Munich system in Germany. After a successful three-year stint playing in Germany for Munich and Hoffenheim, he made his move to Crystal Palace in England. During his time there, he helped the club secure its first-ever FA Cup and European championship titles.

His path to the 2026 World Cup faced a late-stage hurdle when he suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the final weeks of the regular season. Despite the setback, Richards was named to the 2026 roster and is fully expected to take the field for the USMNT opener against Paraguay.

Fans can catch the action live from SoFi Stadium this Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast on Fox.