Full Breakdown
Pochettino Unveils USMNT’s 26-Man Squad for the 2026 World Cup
5/24/2026, 2:31:05 AM
Core Selection Details
Mauricio Pochettino will reveal the United States men’s national team’s 26-player roster on May 26 at a televised event in New York City. The squad, leaked by The Guardian, includes 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 4 central midfielders, 6 attacking midfielders/wingers and 3 strikers. The team opens Group D against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium, then faces Australia (June 25) and Turkey (June 19).
Background & Context
The United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico, guaranteeing automatic qualification. Pochettino, hired in 2024, is making his first senior-national assignment and has stressed that “players need to be playing well for their clubs and for the USMNT to be in consideration.”
Roster Composition
The squad includes 3 goalkeepers (Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Matt Turner), 10 defenders (including Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty), 4 central midfielders (Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan), 6 attacking midfielders/wingers (Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas) and 3 strikers (Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright). Thirteen players are first-time World Cup selections.
Official Statements & Responses
Pochettino said “the combination and the dynamic of the group can change depending on the selection,” emphasizing flexibility. US Soccer declined comment and confirmed the list will be filed with FIFA by June 1. The Athletic reported players were notified on Friday, confirming Reyna, Berhalter, Aaronson, McKenzie and Turner.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts note the omission of midfielder Tanner Tessmann, sidelined by a May muscle strain after 22 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon, and Real Salt Lake forward Diego Luna, who posted four goals and four assists in 608 minutes this season. Critics say Luna’s absence hurts marketing appeal and depth, while Tessmann’s exclusion narrows midfield cover behind Adams and McKennie.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reports differ on Chris Richards’ ankle injury: Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner called it “stable but quite swollen,” yet other sources list him as a lock. The final roster deadline is cited as May 30 by some outlets and June 1 by others. Also, the count of central midfielders varies between four and six.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's a lot of feelings, a lot of emotions, a lot of excitement, of nerves, butterflies and stuff like that, but it's kind of the moment you kind of live for and something we dream about,” — Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake midfielder.
- “I think it’s stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling,” — Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace manager (on Chris Richards).
- “The players that today are on the roster, they cannot think they are going to be in the final roster,” — Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT head coach (March).
- “Definitely grateful to be back from injury and feeling strong,” — Miles Robinson, FC Cincinnati defender.
Why It Matters
Hosting the tournament amplifies expectations for a deep run; squad composition and selection controversies could affect team cohesion and public support.
What’s Next
The squad will train at the new Fayette County center before friendlies versus Senegal (May 31) and Germany (June 6). FIFA permits injury replacements up to 24 hours before the opening match, leaving room for late adjustments.
