Weston McKennie reflects on his challenges as he prepares for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The midfielder has had a standout season with Juventus, starting every match since late October.
Key points
Weston McKennie discusses career challenges.
He has had an outstanding season with Juventus.
McKennie has started every game since late October.
FIFA World Cup is approaching in 2026.
Luciano Spalletti is the coach of Juventus.
Mentioned in this story
Luciano Spalletti
Weston McKennieJuventusFIFA World Cup
Weston McKennie playing for Juventus
Weston McKennie has been in outstanding form for Juventus this season -Credit:Marco Mantovani/Getty Images
(Marco Mantovani/Getty Images)
As arguably his best season with Juventus in Serie A comes to a close and a FIFA World Cup on home soil looms, Weston McKennie has opened up on one of the major challenges he has routinely been called out on throughout his career.
The 27-year-old midfielder has been a mainstay in Juventus’ starting lineup since Luciano Spalletti took over from Igor Tudor back in late October, starting every game he’s been available for since then.
Through 45 games in all competitions this season, McKennie has racked up an impressive nine goals and eight assists, while also appearing in both of the U.S Men’s National Team’s most recent games, scoring once in a 5-2 loss to Belgium.
Juventus' Weston McKennie speaks with manager Luciano Spalletti
McKennie has started every game for which he has been available since Luciano Spalletti took charge -Credit:Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images
Q&A
What challenges has Weston McKennie faced in his career?
Weston McKennie has discussed a major challenge he has been called out on throughout his career, which he refers to as his 'kryptonite.'
How has Weston McKennie's performance been this season?
This season, Weston McKennie has been in outstanding form, consistently starting for Juventus since late October.
When is the FIFA World Cup taking place?
The FIFA World Cup is set to take place in 2026, with matches being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Who is the coach of Juventus that has impacted McKennie's playtime?
Luciano Spalletti is the current coach of Juventus, under whom Weston McKennie has started every game he has been available for since taking over in late October.
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However, McKennie’s path to sustained productivity and success hasn’t been an easy one, with the Texan recently opening up once more on his longstanding issues with his weight.
In the first episode of Tubi TV’s new series, ‘Destination World Cup 2026,’ which was titled ‘Countdown to Glory,’ McKennie appeared alongside Spanish international Marc Cucurella and Wales star Harry Wilson.
The episode, featuring footage from around a year ago, McKennie allows cameras to follow him following his return to the Lone Star State after the 2024/2025 season came to a close, as he hosts a large family gathering back in Dallas.
“I had a big, big family and friends gathering in Dallas. It was amazing, my brother was there, my sister, my nephews, my nieces. Home is perfect because I have my family,” he said.
Later, McKennie went on to admit, “The only downside to that gathering that I had is because I decided to initiate my three-day fasting on the day that we held the big barbecue…
“My weight, for me, has always been my kryptonite. Every single coach that I've had has always arrived and [said], 'West, you need to lose weight.'”
The former FC Dallas academy star later added that “seeing people eat chicken wings and burgers and hot dogs and nachos and all these things. That was hard. Really hard.”
Thankfully for McKennie, it appears that his time working with Tudor helped him turn a corner, telling TNT, via the Daily Mail, “My genetics are kicking in finally. I had a long preseason. My coach back at Juventus, Tudor, really put pressure on me and said, ‘Hey, you're getting older, and your body's not gonna be able to bounce back from games the way that you used to be able to, and you need to cut down some weight, and that's the only way you're gonna be involved with this team.’
“So I put my head down and worked like I usually do. Got on a diet. Don't snack as much anymore. If I do, it's healthy snacks, and I work out more often. So that's what I've been doing, a lot of running.”
Clearly, McKennie’s revised approach to fitness has helped, combined with being such a good fit for Spalletti’s system, playing the full 90 minutes on all but five occasions since the former Napoli boss’ arrival.
