As Los Angeles prepares to host major international sporting events, American teams across different disciplines are positioning themselves for competition on home soil.

The U.S. women's handball team is training to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, marking their first Olympic appearance since 1996. The team includes athletes who were previously unfamiliar with the sport before beginning their handball training.

Meanwhile, HBO has launched a documentary series tracking the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in Los Angeles among other cities. The series, titled "U.S. Against the World: Four Years with the Men's National Soccer Team," premiered its first episode on Tuesday.

The docuseries, produced by Park Stories, will span four additional episodes documenting the team's multi-year preparation process leading up to the World Cup competition.

Both events represent significant opportunities for American teams to compete at the highest levels of international sport with the advantage of home crowds and familiar venues in Los Angeles.