Tim Ream Named Captain For U.S. Men's National Team Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

ATLANTA — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino named center back Tim Ream the team’s captain heading into FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 38-year-old from St. Louis has captained 26 of his 80 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, putting him eighth on the all-time captains list. He’s worn the armband 16 of the 23 matches Pochettino has led the program, including the Argentine’s debut win against Panama in Austin, Texas nearly two years ago in October 2024.

“I am so grateful that he is with us because he’s a great captain not only on the field, he’s maybe more important off the field,” Pochettino said. “He has the experience, he has the capacity to be the leader that we want and to be a positive leader.”

Ream was present alongside Pochettino when the announcement was made at Saturday’s pre-match press conference at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. The center back was clearly emotional and honored to receive his coach’s confidence.

“This is more than a dream come true,” Ream said. “I’ve done everything possible to be a part of this group, to help this group along, and I’m really grateful to be sitting here and to have this honor. At the same time, it’s not going to change what I do or who I am and how I help the group… it’s the highest honor for me with this group for the World Cup, and I’m not going to take that for granted.”

Though Pochettino clarified that it doesn’t mean Ream is guaranteed a spot in the starting XI, the center back for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer will have the chance to play in front of his club’s home crowd as captain of a World Cup squad on Sunday when the U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Senegal at Bank of America Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET in the Allstate Continental Clásico.

Sunday’s match is the penultimate before FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off for the U.S. in Los Angeles, California. The USMNT will also face Germany on June 6 in Chicago.