Breaking Down the USMNT World Cup Roster | OneFootball

Mauricio Pochettino has officially announced his 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and we break down every player’s current form and possible role in a tournament that will define American soccer for years to come.

The time for talking is over. Behind us are the firing of Gregg Berhalter, GioGate, the Copa América group stage disaster, the disappointing Nations League and Gold Cup performances, the endless depth chart debates, and all the pundit hot takes. All of this ends (maybe except for the hot takes) because it’s go time. We’re two weeks out from the 2026 World Cup, and on May 26, Mauricio Pochettino formally announced the 26-man United States men’s national team roster for the tournament.

The full list had been leaked before the official announcement, and all 26 names previously reported by The Guardian ultimately made the final squad. Notable absences include Tanner Tessmann, Diego Luna, and — if you want to be generous — Yunus Musah. Then there’s Johnny Cardoso, whose injury forced him to miss the tournament entirely.

Getting caught up in who isn’t there takes away from the bigger picture: the focus now shifts to the players who made the roster. What can this core group accomplish at a World Cup that will define U.S. Soccer and this generation of players for decades to come?

Here is a breakdown of every player heading to the World Cup and the role they may play for the United States.

Goalkeepers

Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Matt Freese (New York City FC): On paper, Freese should be the USMNT starter at the World Cup. The NYCFC goalkeeper grabbed hold of the role after Pochettino experimented with several options, eventually settling on Freese for the stability and consistency he provided. In 2026, Freese has recorded three shutouts in 15 games along with 50 saves for an NYCFC side that can best be described as mediocre.

Matt Turner (New England Revolution): Turner battled with Freese for the No. 1 spot and remains a favorite of Pochettino because of his experience and shot-stopping ability. Still, Turner can struggle with positioning at times, and his passing out of the back remains suspect. His return to MLS hasn’t done much to strengthen his case either. Like Freese, Turner has three clean sheets in 2026, but neither goalkeeper ranks among the league’s elite. Turner is a back up at this moment.

Chris Brady (Chicago Fire): Brady was something of a curveball selection. The Chicago Fire goalkeeper has been one of the best performers for his club and among the top American goalkeepers in MLS. At just 22 years old, Brady has six clean sheets in 2026 along with several dominant performances. He looks like a future national team mainstay, and Pochettino may be laying the groundwork for a future star by giving him invaluable tournament experience. A wise third goalkeeper option, if any injury were to occur and Brady were to step in, he could become a sort of USMNT version of Sergio Goycochea.

Snubs: In the end, these three goalkeepers probably represent the best possible outcome for the USMNT, though it’s certainly not the strongest goalkeeper pool the U.S. has ever had. Patrick Schulte, Roman Celentano, and Zack Steffen all flirted with earning a spot, but Pochettino ultimately went with the two goalkeepers he trusts most, along with a younger option who has a high ceiling. Diego Kochen remains a future talent to watch, while Gabriel Słonina has seemingly fallen completely off the radar.

Defenders

Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew): A true Pochettino project, the Columbus Crew left back thrives getting forward and delivering quality service in attack. In recent matches, Arfsten impressed against Japan, Paraguay, and Uruguay, though he struggled against Belgium and Portugal. Still, he fits the profile Pochettino wants from his wingbacks. Even on a struggling Crew side, Arfsten has been one of the few bright spots, recording four goals and five assists in 15 MLS games. Expect him to be a go-to option off the bench during the tournament.

Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven): The most talented defender in the USMNT pool, Dest can be devastating going forward, and his defending has improved during his time at PSV. Pochettino hasn’t had many opportunities to work with the sometimes enigmatic fullback, but his talent is impossible to ignore. Despite dealing with injuries, Dest still managed one goal and seven assists in 27 league games for the Dutch champions. A locked-in starter.

Alex Freeman (Villarreal): Another Pochettino project, Freeman has been molded by the Argentine manager almost from day one and arguably understands the system as well as anyone in the squad. Freeman scored twice against Uruguay in what was arguably Pochettino’s best match in charge of the USMNT and has logged significant minutes over the past year-and-a-half. After moving to La Liga, Freeman appeared in nine of the 18 matches he was eligible for, as Villarreal continue to develop him carefully. That lack of playing time did not concern Pochettino, who could still hand Freeman major minutes as either an impact substitute or even a starter.

Mark McKenzie (Toulouse): Only over the past year has Pochettino truly trusted McKenzie with meaningful minutes for the national team, even handing him the captain’s armband in the 5-1 win over Uruguay. Still, it remains unclear just how much faith Pochettino has in him as a starter. McKenzie started against Belgium but then played just one minute in the following match against Portugal. With few reliable options at center back, it seems as if Pochettino is still unsure as to who his go-to combination could be. McKenzie could start in a back three or serve as a rotational option. The pre-World Cup friendlies will likely decide his role. At club level, he was solid for Toulouse, starting 30 matches this season.

Tim Ream (Charlotte FC): Love it or hate it, Ream is on this roster for two reasons: first, he immediately bought into Pochettino’s message; second, his experience is invaluable. He is one of the few players in the squad who has consistently competed at a high level for both club and country. Ream is not the same player he was four years ago, and his MLS form has been questionable, but his role is to provide leadership and composure to a young team carrying enormous expectations. Pochettino values Ream’s leadership so highly that he could still even start at the World Cup.

Chris Richards (Crystal Palace): Currently the USMNT’s best defender, Richards has grown into a dependable presence for both club and country. He has also emerged as a leader at the back for the national team. While he may not be as dominant as an Eddie Pope in his prime and is still prone to an occasional mistake, there is little debate that Richards is playing the best soccer of his career. A locked starter.

Antonee Robinson (Fulham): After a career year last season, Robinson endured an injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign at Fulham. It wasn’t the best version of “Jedi” we’ve seen, but by the end of the Premier League season he looked closer to his old self, even finding the scoresheet. Robinson is another player Pochettino has had limited time to work with, but he remains vital to both the defensive structure and the team’s attacking play down the wings. A locked starter and a potential unsung hero of the tournament.

Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati): Some fans remain critical of Miles Robinson, but he is a player Pochettino has trusted in the past. He likely won’t be a first-choice option, but he is viewed as a reliable backup. With Noahkai Banks leaning toward Germany, Pochettino’s center back depth became thin quickly. Robinson, however, has not exactly covered himself in glory during the MLS season with FC Cincinnati.

Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach): One of the more surprising inclusions, Scally does not naturally fit the attacking fullback profile Pochettino prefers. However, more than 160 Bundesliga appearances at just 23 years old is impossible to ignore. Scally is a defender’s fullback — disciplined, reliable, and effective at containing attacks. Yet, he still managed two goals and three assists while playing in more advanced roles for Mönchengladbach this season. He may not even be the second option at fullback, but if the U.S. needs defensive discipline late in a match, Scally could get the call.

Auston Trusty (Celtic): At one point it looked like it could be a disastrous 2025-26 season for Celtic, however Trusty emerged as one of the defensive pillars that helped the club recover and win two trophies. His USMNT career remains modest with only six caps, and expecting him to suddenly become a starter may be unrealistic. For now, he looks more like a depth option off the bench in case of injuries.

Snubs: This is likely the best defensive group Pochettino could have taken. There are no major snubs here. The biggest question is whether the Argentine opts for a back three, and if so, who partners with Richards in defense?

Midfielders

Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth): The heart and soul of the USMNT, Adams has become the team’s emotional and tactical leader. Mature, intelligent, and relentless, Adams is unfortunately injury-prone, but when healthy he is one of the best players of this generation. At club level, he put together another strong season despite injury interruptions, finishing with 25 Premier League appearances, two goals, two assists, and helping Bournemouth secure a Europa League spot for the first time in club history. A locked starter and arguably the rightful captain of this team.

Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps): One of the best American players in MLS, Berhalter gives Pochettino something the squad desperately needs: quality on set pieces. He also offers tactical versatility and has quietly produced for the national team with one goal and three assists in 11 caps. For Vancouver, he is enjoying a career season with six goals and four assists in 14 matches. Depending on tactical adjustments, Berhalter could either become a surprise starter or a reliable option off the bench.

Weston McKennie (Juventus): Perhaps the best-performing American in Europe right now, McKennie enjoyed another strong season despite Juventus struggling collectively. When fully fit and in form, few midfielders in the player pool can drive the team forward the way McKennie can. It has admittedly been some time since his last dominant national team performance, but he remains a locked starter.

Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach): Talent is the reason Reyna made this squad, because his selection is otherwise difficult to justify. Pochettino is betting on Reyna’s raw ability to determine whether he can become a starter or a major impact substitute. His club struggles are well documented after another disappointing season. Yet Reyna heads to his second World Cup as one of the biggest wildcards on the roster. If he finds form, he should start without question.

Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders): The most controversial selection on the roster, Roldan is often described as a “glue guy” and locker room leader. That would be easier to accept if his performances were more convincing. Roldan’s best work with the national team has come under Pochettino, particularly against Japan, Australia — where he delivered two assists — and Paraguay. He projects as a bench option who may prove useful in the group stage, though his limitations become more obvious against elite opposition.

Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen): Like Reyna, Tillman makes this roster largely because of his talent. What started as a promising Bundesliga campaign faded as he lost his starting role with Leverkusen and was reduced to limited minutes late in the season. His national team performances have also been inconsistent. Tillman remains a risky player to pencil in as a starter, especially if Reyna or Alejandro Zendejas impress leading into the tournament.

Snubs: Cardoso’s injury and the omission of Tessmann are undoubtedly blows. Aidan Morris may simply be too similar stylistically to Berhalter, while Gianluca Busio never truly received an opportunity under Pochettino. Questions will certainly be asked about taking Roldan over Tessmann, and leaving Luna off the roster will remain a debate as well. Luna exploded onto the scene early but gradually faded with each performance. Grit and emotion may open the door, but sustained quality is what ultimately keeps a player in the squad.

Forwards

Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United): Many had written Aaronson off at the international level, but a solid Premier League season with Leeds brought him back into the fold. Aaronson hasn’t delivered a standout USMNT performance in what feels like years, but his versatility helped him play as many as seven different positions for Leeds while contributing four goals and five assists. Pochettino will hope that club form can finally translate to the national team, where Aaronson has too often been a non-factor. A strong bench option.

Folarin Balogun (Monaco): By all indications, Balogun enters the tournament as the starting striker. He is coming off a 19-goal season across all competitions, arguably the best campaign of his career. While many appreciate Ricardo Pepi’s qualities, Pochettino’s system appears built specifically for Balogun’s skill set. He should be the starter.

Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven): If Pepi starts, he scores goals. If he plays 20 minutes, he scores goals. If he plays 10 minutes, he scores goals. If he plays five minutes, he scores goals. Pochettino’s tactical setup may not perfectly suit Pepi’s poacher instincts, but benching a striker who scored 19 goals across all competitions for PSV feels borderline criminal. With the 4-4-2 quietly returning to modern football, is it really crazy to imagine a Balogun-Pepi partnership up top? Leaving Pepi on the bench feels like a massive waste, even if he’s been able to create magic in limited minutes throughout his career.

Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Christian Pulisic (AC Milan): The best player in the USMNT pool is coming off what can only be described as a disastrous season. Pulisic looked headed toward a career year and was even entering conversations about being one of Serie A’s best players before everything collapsed heading into 2026. Since then, he has gone completely cold. Pulisic has not scored in the calendar year and has not scored for the USMNT since 2024. He remains a guaranteed starter, but the pressure on him has never been greater. With uncertainty surrounding his future at AC Milan, a strong World Cup could either revive his standing at the club or earn him one final major move in Europe. How far the U.S. goes may ultimately depend on Pulisic rediscovering his best form.

Timothy Weah (Olympique Marseille): Weah offers versatility and tactical flexibility, but he hasn’t quite defined his role with the national team because of it. Whether as a wing back, forward, or midfielder, Weah has been deployed in a multitude of positions, yet he hasn’t truly claimed ownership of any of them. He was a regular starter for Marseille and scored a worldie against Real Madrid in the Champions League, but his overall goal contributions took a dip from the previous season despite playing more minutes, and his national team form has also been modest. At this point, an impact substitute role feels most likely, but don’t be surprised if he finds his way into the starting lineup.

Haji Wright (Coventry City): Despite all the praise for the EFL Championship as a proving ground for American players, Wright is the only Championship-based player on the roster after scoring 17 goals in 40 grueling matches. Wright famously came off the bench to score at the last World Cup, and now serves as the “break glass in case of emergency” option for the USMNT once again.

Alejandro Zendejas (Club América): Another surprise inclusion given his limited USMNT sample size, Zendejas earned his place through form and consistency at one of the biggest clubs in North America. With Club América, he has produced 54 goals and 33 assists in 191 matches while winning six trophies. Currently in the form of his life, Zendejas could emerge either as a surprise starter or as the spark the team desperately needs off the bench.

Snubs: As for forward snubs, there really are none. These are likely the best attacking options available to the USMNT.

All of the speculation and hypotheticals end now. In two weeks, these 26 men will either push U.S. Soccer and the sport in America into a new era, or deliver the latest harsh reminder that the federation still has work to do before it can truly compete with the world’s elite.