How USMNT Soccer Star Weston McKennie Is Fueling Up to Get World Cup-Ready (Exclusive)

Grace GavilanesThu, April 2, 2026 at 5:15 PM UTC

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Credit: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty -

Weston McKennie is gearing up to represent the U.S. at the 2026 World Cup

McKennie, the new Nutrition Ambassador for Chobani, says it took him time to learn how to properly fuel his body for hours on the pitch

The midfielder says he's ready for the spotlight when the World Cup comes to the U.S. on June 11

For U.S. soccer star Weston McKennie, healthy eating didn’t always come naturally.

It took playing at a higher level before the Texas native and Juventus midfielder — who is World Cup-bound with Team USA this summer — decided to take his diet seriously.

“Starting out, I was a bit younger and didn't really pay attention to what things affect my body — even recovery, even nutrition,” he admits. “Growing up and playing games at a high level, I realized that nutrition is a huge part of the game. Playing with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and all these big name guys, seeing how they take care of their body … As I've gotten older, I think that's when I realized, like, ‘Hey, you need to take this seriously if you want to have a meaningful career where you can be in the game for a long time, where you can accomplish big things.' ”

In October, Chobani announced its multi-year partnership as the Official Nutrition Partner of the U.S. Soccer Federation, with McKennie tapped to serve as Nutrition Ambassador. Together they’ll champion nutrition and empowerment through programs like Chobani Ball Kids, coach development pathway initiatives, and the Soccer Forward Foundation, U.S. Soccer's legacy initiative, providing scholarship grants to youth soccer clubs across the country.

Weston McKennieCredit: Chobani

“I'm a big snacker, and Chobani is an easy, quick, grab-and-go type of snack, but also offers so many nutritional benefits and a lot of probiotics, a lot of protein to help build muscle,” McKennie tells PEOPLE. “[The partnership] aligned perfectly and at the right moment.”

So how did McKennie become a healthier eater? For him, the key was starting small and staying true to his cravings.

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“I think a big part for me was I didn't really start concentrating on healthy eating until I realized that healthy food can still taste really good,” says McKennie (who turns to chicken Alfredo with bacon for a cheat meal).

Healthy doesn’t necessarily mean bland meals or only eating vegetables, he says. It’s all about flexing your culinary muscles and “[creating] something yourself,” like McKennie’s go-to snack (Chobani greek yogurt, walnuts, raspberries and agave), and to not be scared to “test a lot of things and try something new” in the kitchen.

And what is all this nutrition-focused training fueling him up for? With the World Cup just months away (and returning to the U.S. for the first time since 1994!) he knows he’ll be competing on a giant stage.

Weston McKennie playing with Juventus in Sept. 2024Credit: Marco Luzzani/Getty

And he’s ready for the attention, especially given the growing popularity of soccer stateside.

“It's a worldwide sport loved all around the world, and there's nothing bigger than the game or even the tournaments that we play in,” he says. “Like — the World Cup, you get billions of people that watch it.”

The World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

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Source: “AOL Sports”