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Pochettino Unveils Roster for World Cup Warm-up Matches

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. Men's National Team head coach, announced a 27-player roster for Belgium (March 28, 2026) and Portugal (March 31, 2026) in Atlanta.
Matches serve as final preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Chris Richards return, while Tyler Adams and Sergiño Dest are sidelined by injuries.
Pochettino said matches should be treated like World Cup games to build confidence against top-ranked opponents.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, held in the United States from June 17 to July 17, marked a turning point for soccer in America, attracting over 3.5 million fans. Brazil won their fourth title, defeating Italy in a penalty shootout. As the U.S. Men's National Team prepares for the 2026 World Cup, they aim to build on this legacy amid growing soccer popularity in the country.

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Story summary

Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. Men's National Team head coach, announced a 27-player roster for Belgium (March 28, 2026) and Portugal (March 31, 2026) in Atlanta.
Matches serve as final preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Chris Richards return, while Tyler Adams and Sergiño Dest are sidelined by injuries.
Pochettino said matches should be treated like World Cup games to build confidence against top-ranked opponents.

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