USMNT 2026 World Cup depth chart: Who are actually the best strikers? | OneFootball

Some of the most important questions for the USMNT heading into the 2026 World Cup revolve around the striker position. Even with good depth at center back, plenty of midfield options, and both fullbacks and wingers who can supply the service, the U.S. still needs strikers who can finish chances and find the back of the net. Between the injuries and inconsistencies at this position, the striker position could be a little complicated.

Safe bets?

The two safest bets to be on the 2026 World Cup roster are likely Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi. Balogun started all three games at last year’s Copa America, albeit under Gregg Berhalter and not Mauricio Pochettino. Pepi, meanwhile, has made huge strides since being left off the 2022 World Cup roster. Even in an injury-shortened 2024-25 season, Pepi scored 11 goals in 18 Eredivisie games to help PSV Eindhoven win the Dutch title.

Unfortunately, both Balogun and Pepi had to miss the Gold Cup because of injury. In both are healthy and in good form, it’s hard to imagine Pochettino not naming both to the World Cup roster next summer. Nevertheless, there is some level of pressure on both players to pick up where they left off before their injuries earlier this year and consistently score goals for their club teams during the 2025-26 season.

The Josh Sargent question

In theory, Josh Sargent should be an obvious selection for the World Cup roster. Keep in mind he started two of the USMNT’s group games during the 2022 World Cup before an injury ruled him out for the group stage. The 25-year-old has also been in excellent form for Norwich City in the English Championship over the last few years, scoring 31 goals in 55 league games for the Canaries across the last two seasons. He's also scored in each of his first four games of the season with Norwich City.

However, Sargent has struggled to turn his club form into goals at the international level. He hasn’t scored for the USMNT since 2019, going 16 straight national team appearances without finding the back of the net. To his credit, Sargent contributes in other ways and is arguably the most well-rounded striker in the player pool. But the fact that Pochettino left him off the Gold Cup roster is a sign that the skipper is unconvinced, meaning Sargent has much to prove during the 2025-26 club season and needs to score when given an opportunity in friendly matches.

Gold Cup boys

With Balogun and Pepi hurt and Sargent left home, it was Patrick Agyemang and Damion Downs playing striker for the USMNT during the Gold Cup. Despite starting every game of the Gold Cup, Agyemang only scored twice in six matches, including a lucky deflection on a goal for which Diego Luna deserves the credit. Agyemang also went scoreless during the knockout stage, at times struggling to make an impact against CONCACAF-level competition. Nevertheless, Pochettino seems to like him, putting him in the mix for a World Cup spot, especially after a move to Derby County.

Downs, meanwhile, saw sporadic minutes for the national team throughout the summer. While he didn’t score a goal, he did convert the penalty kick in the quarterfinal shootout against Costa Rica that sent the U.S. to the semifinals. Downs also scored a summer transfer to Southampton. By being in the same league as Sargent and Agyemang, Downs will have a chance to outperform some of the other contenders for a World Cup roster spot, allowing him to prove that he’s part of the USMNT’s present, not just the future.

Don’t think we forgot

Since no striker appears to be 100% assured of a World Cup roster spot at the moment, it’s worth digging deep into the depth chart at this position. Players who might be overlooked at the moment could still play their way into the conversation. This includes the likes of Daryl Dike, Brandon Vazquez, Jesus Ferreira, and Brian White.

Dike might be the most intriguing of the group. Injuries have continued to plague him, so staying healthy is his first objective. However, Dike brings physicality that no other USMNT striker can match outside of perhaps Agyemang. Since he also plays in the English Championship with West Bromwich Albion, if Dike can match or exceed the goal totals of Sargent, Agyemang, or Downs, he could be considered for a World Cup roster spot.

Meanwhile, Vazquez, Ferreria, and White are all proven MLS scorers, although scoring against quality international competition has been another story. Nevertheless, if the striker position continues to be plagued by injuries or the European-based players aren’t scoring consistently, there could be room for an MLS-based striker who is in good form heading into the 2026 World Cup.

The bottom line

Unfortunately, it could take months for there to be any clarity on the striker position. Ideally, it would be the trio of Balogun, Pepi, and Sargent going to the World Cup. All three have international experience.

Also, all three have distinct skillsets that complement each other, allowing Pochettino to mix and match throughout the tournament based on which player will fit best, based on the opponent and Pochettino's tactics for the specific game.

Of course, all three need to stay healthy and produce a steady stream of goals with their club team. Performing during international windows would also convince Pochettino that all three should be on the World Cup roster. It could take until the end of the club season for there to be a clear picture of what strikers will be representing the U.S.

Even if Balogun, Pepi, and Sargent are on the roster, there could be room for one more striker. Needless to say, another spot or two could be open if those players are left off for one reason or another.

Therefore, the door is open for Agyemang, Dike, or Downs if they are performing consistently in the English Championship. If that group fails to impress, Vazquez, Ferreira, or White could steal the final roster spot. However, it’s a safe bet that some combination of Balogun, Pepi, and Sargent will garner most of the minutes during the World Cup, with the USMNT’s hopes of a deep run somewhat dependent on their ability to find the back of the net.