USA’s World Cup captain might be Mauricio Pochettino’s worst-kept secret | OneFootball

Mauricio Pochettino has yet to name a USA captain for the 2026 World Cup, but all signs point to Tim Ream leading out the side against Paraguay on 12 June. According to NY Times, the veteran centre-back is the likeliest choice for the armband.

Pochettino has repeatedly turned to Ream, now at Charlotte FC, who has captained 16 of the coach’s 23 games in charge. The 80-cap defender thought his international career was over after 2022, yet has since become a trusted voice.

At 38, Ream is in line to become the oldest American to play at a World Cup, eclipsing the late Fernando Clavijo’s 1994 mark. He would be 38 years, 8 months and 7 days when the USA open at SoFi Stadium.

Ream left Fulham in 2024 to return to Major League Soccer, having begun at New York Red Bulls in 2010. He captained the Concacaf Gold Cup last summer, a contrast to 2022 when a squad vote made Tyler Adams the youngest World Cup captain shortly before facing Wales.

Christian Pulisic remains the headline name, but he has worn the armband only twice under Pochettino, one ending in a 31st-minute injury against Australia and the other a defeat to Canada in the 2025 Nations League third-place match.

Other skippers in this cycle have been Chris Richards twice, and Miles Robinson, Matt Turner and Mark McKenzie once each. Midfielder Weston McKennie said leadership runs through the 26-man group, with anyone ready to assume responsibility.

The USA face Paraguay in Los Angeles on 12 June, then Australia in Seattle on 19 June, before meeting Türkiye back in L.A. on 25 June.

Source: NY Times