The U.S. men’s national team enjoyed plenty of positive moments in 2025 and with the FIFA World Cup less than six months away from kicking off, head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping similar success can occur in the new year.
Pochettino helped the squad close 2025 on a major high note, especially given the fact that they failed to lift two trophies along the way. A fourth-place finish in the CONCACAF Nations League paired with a slim Gold Cup finals loss to Mexico had USMNT fans worried heading into the fall, but a five-match unbeaten run to end the year certainly boosted spirits.
Many players impressed during the year for club and country, taking key steps forward in their development. Key veterans also excelled over the past 12 months, becoming ever more important in the program’s quest to deliver a strong World Cup run next summer.
As we close the book on 2025, here’s what you should be watching for in 2026 for the USMNT:
World Cup on home soil with golden generation serving as leaders
The USMNT did well to reach the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping his squad can reach new heights in 2026.
With many of the program’s star players in the prime of their club careers, there is zero reason why the USMNT shouldn’t have aspirations of winning the competition on home soil. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Chris Richards are among the standout performers of the current European season and will be expected to lead the way next summer in the United States.
Sprinkle in players such as Antonee Robinson, Sergino Dest, Tim Weah, and others, and you have a USMNT squad that brings plenty of flair and excitement.
This will certainly go down as the USMNT’s most-talented team in terms of individuality, but they will need everyone to work together if they want to make a major splash at the World Cup.
The ever-changing No. 9 race
Similar to 2022, the USMNT are still seeking for someone to grab the starting No. 9 role.
Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, and Patrick Agyemang are No. 1-4 on my current depth chart, based off their 2025’s for club and country and their potential for further success in 2026.
Baogun chipped in four goals in 2025 for the USMNT, scoring in both of the October and November windows. The Monaco forward has also found the back of the net seven times at club level this season, bouncing back from a tough second half last spring.
In terms of overall final-third abilities, Balogun is the total package and should have the leg up heading into the new year.
Pepi leads the way in terms of club goals this season with 10, continuing to be a consistent threat for Dutch club PSV. Despite helping Peter Bosz’s squad lift the Dutch Super Cup last August and grabbing the top spot in the current Eredivisie campaign, Pepi only featured once for the USMNT in 2025, missing on a golden opportunity against Paraguay last month.
He still has a lot to offer the squad, but ultimately has to stay healthy and stay amongst the goals in Holland.
Haji Wright and Patrick Agyemang are both fighting for the job as well, but will need to do a lot over the next six months to overtake Balogun and/or Pepi.
Wright started the EFL Championship campaign in blistering form, scoring nine goals in the opening two months for Coventry City. However, the veteran forward has been unable to find the back of the net since October 4, causing concern for Sky Blues and USMNT fans alike.
He did score three goals for the USMNT this year, which is a positive, but will be expected to produce more at club level during the second half of the season.
Agyemang has been one of Derby County’s better performers during the first half of the season. The former Charlotte FC man has contributed six goals and three assists for the Rams, stepping up for the injured Carlton Morris.
In addition, Agyemang led the USMNT with five goals in 2025, with majority of those coming at the Gold Cup. He is the most physical out of the strikers in the pool and could very well force his way into the mix over the next few months.
Josh Sargent and Brian White are on the outside looking in, but will need a miracle to truly be in the mix by June.
Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah’s club roles
Two players that USMNT fans will be hoping propel themselves back into the mix in 2026 are Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah.
Reyna and Musah are two of the more talented midfielders in the player pool, but have found it tough to play consistently for the program this year.
Reyna earned three caps in 2025, scoring one goal and registering one assist. The Borussia Dortmund loanee delivered a stellar goal against Paraguay before teeing up Tanner Tessmann for his first international goal against Uruguay.
A move to Borussia Moenchengladbach on loan has helped Reyna in his quest to play more at club level, something that both him and Pochettino will hope continues in 2026.
As for Musah, he is in a worrying spot in Bergamo. Musah has made 13 appearances for Atalanta across all competitions, but has only earned two starts over that span. His role with the USMNT has been limited over the past year, making just two appearances back in the Nations League Final Four.
There’s still plenty of long-term potential with Musah as he’s only 23-years-old, but his opportunities to impress Pochettino before June’s final camp are running out.
Antonee Robinson, Sergino Dest staying healthy and impactful
The USMNT may have one of the best 1-2 punches when it comes to fullbacks, but that’s when both are healthy and on the field.
Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest are likely to be Pochettino’s starting left and right wingbacks next summer, bearing a major change. Robinson is back to full fitness for English Premier League club Fulham and playing regularly during a busy holiday schedule.
The veteran left back has started each of the last four matches in Marco Silva’s squad, assisting once in EFL Cup play and also coming close to adding to his numbers in three EPL appearances.
Robinson’s absence from the USMNT this year allowed Max Arfsten to force his way into the picture, giving Pochettino plenty to consider heading into March’s camp. However, when both are healthy, it’s very tough to see Robinson not being in the starting lineup again.
As for Dest, he’s quickly gotten back to his best at PSV this season.
After an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign, Dest has contributed two goals and five assists in 23 appearances for the Dutch leaders. Most importantly, Dest has had minimal absences this fall/winter, a testament to his work rate off the field to stay healthy and fit.
Dest earned four caps for the USMNT this year, shining in the final window against Paraguay and Uruguay. Although Alex Freeman impressed in Dest’s absences and Joe Scally remains an option too, Dest should be one of the first names on Pochettino’s team sheet if healthy.
Adams, McKennie aside, who will step up in midfield?
Pochettino’s toughest decisions come next June could very well come in the USMNT’s midfield.
Tyler Adams is currently sidelined due to a torn MCL, forcing him out of action for Bournemouth until at least March. He should be back for the World Cup, and bearing a set back, I expect him to be there and be healthy.
Weston McKennie is enjoying one of the best seasons abroad with Juventus, scoring two goals and adding two assists in 27 appearances. The veteran midfielder has played ample minutes in Turin this fall/winter and looks set to reclaim his USMNT spot come March.
Outside of those two players, there are plenty of options for Pochettino to consider.
Brenden Aaronson is playing week in and week out for Leeds United and could feature for the USMNT in an advanced role. Aidan Morris recently made his return for Middlesbrough after a one-month injury layoff while Tanner Tessmann did the same for Lyon after missing time to a respective injury of his own.
Johnny Cardoso’s playing time has been limited with Atletico Madrid this campaign, but still has a few months to get back on track. Malik Tillman, Cristian Roldan, Diego Luna and Sebastian Berhalter all delivered positive performances at times for the USMNT in 2025 and surely boosted their stocks to be in the mix for the March camp.
James Sands and Luca De La Torre are on the outside looking in, hoping that they can impress at club level over the next few months.
It’s a positive thing that Pochettino has plenty of options to choose from, but I think at some point, he’s going to need to trim that list down to get some familiarity and chemistry going.
What will you be monitoring in 2026? Are there any positions you will be keeping a closer eye on? Do you see anyone winning their roster spot in March? How many roster spots do you think are locked up at this time?
Share your thoughts below.
Fulham bid 26 million pounds for Pepi. PSV said no thanks. PSV is wise to hold off until after the WC on bids for Pepi. My guess the potential teansfer fee will be almost doubled in the summer especially if he has a good WC.
Rumors Chelsea are going to.put in a 35 million Euro bid for Pepi. Dont think PSV will bite on anything before this summer.