The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in 31 days and the clock is ticking for the U.S. men’s national team.
Mauricio Pochettino will have plenty of roster decisions to make before announcing his final roster on May 26 ahead of the summer competition. With the March international window now behind us, Pochettino should have a better idea of who will be in his roster, and who will be out.
Projecting the 2026 World Cup roster is a bit simpler than it was in 2022, given that many key faces of the program have developed into important players. From Christian Pulisic to Chris Richards to Tyler Adams, many of the USMNT’s main figures are in the primes of their careers and should be expected to play large roles in the squad.
However, several positions are still up for grabs, including the starting No. 9 job, central midfield positions, and in defense.
With all that in mind, here is a projected 26-man roster we could see represent the United States at the 2026 World Cup:
Goalkeepers
Matt Freese, Matt Turner, Chris Brady
Matt Freese split time with Matt Turner during the March window, but in my eyes, the No. 1 job is his.
Freese delivered a solid showing against Portugal, helping the USMNT avoid a much larger margin of defeat. The NYCFC No. 1 is continuing to play weekly in MLS and overall looks to give the USMNT a calmer look with him in between the posts.
Turner is a veteran option and should be the No. 2 while Chris Brady is one for the future.
Missed the Cut – Diego Kochen, Zack Steffen, Jonathan Klinsmann, Patrick Schulte, Roman Celentano.
Defenders
Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Antonee Robinson, Max Arfsten.
Going into the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was unknown who Gregg Berhalter would go with at the starting centerback positions. That doesn’t seem to be the case for 2026.
Chris Richards looks to have propelled himself into the USMNT’s No. 1 centerback over the past season-and-a-half, especially given the consistent playing time at Crystal Palace. Richards has become a strong one-on-one defender and overall is tough to beat in the air. I fully expect Richards to be the face of the USMNT backline, even heading into 2030.
Tim Ream’s veteran presence has kept him in the USMNT picture under Pochettino. While he is much older than the other center backs in the pool, I think you need a player like Ream in a major competition, whether he is starting or not. Fitness could play an issue, but I expect Ream to be back.
Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie seem to have shifted themselves into the mix for the No. 3 centerback position, while FC Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson will also fight over the next two months to be in the mix. Robinson’s recent injury forced him to miss both March matches though, but I think he has enough time to get himself back to 100% health.
Antonee Robinson is the USMNT’s No. 1 left back option, despite his up-and-down role with Fulham this season. Robinson featured in both matches in March, getting back to the international game.
Although his minutes have been scarce for Fulham over the past month, he remains the USMNT’s top left back threat.
Max Arfsten should be the No. 2 left back, given the fact he owned the job for most of 2025. Arfsten is a talented attacking player and could even be a bench option once the World Cup comes.
At right back, Sergino Dest’s versatility and explosiveness does give him an edge over the options in the pool, but the main question is, can he stay healthy? Dest recently returned to action for PSV after missing six weeks due to a knee injury.
I think it’s hard to leave Dest out of the World Cup roster, unless he finds himself back on the sidelines by season’s end.
Alex Freeman and Joe Scally will be fighting for a spot as well, but Freeman’s recent window might give him the leg up. Scally did not look that impressive during the March window, where Freeman looked calm and composed.
Right now, Freeman has the leg up on Scally, especially given the fact he is playing more regularly for Villarreal.
Missed The Cut – Noahkai Banks, Cameron Carter-Vickers (Injury), John Tolkin, Joe Scally, Marlon Fossey, DeJuan Jones, Nate Harriel, Walker Zimmerman, Tristan Blackmon, George Campbell.
Midfielders
Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Berhalter, Brenden Aaronson.
Pochettino will have plenty of tough decisions to make in his midfield.
One tough decision he won’t have to make is regarding Tyler Adams though. Adams is the USMNT’s leader in midfield and he remains very much so heading into the summer. Despite missing two months due to an MCL injury, Adams is back available for Bournemouth and back earning minutes again.
Adams is one of the most important players in the squad, if not the most important, making him a lock to be on the roster.
Weston McKennie’s versatility makes him another key figure in the squad. McKennie scored against Belgium and even came close to adding more to his statistics in that match. In addition to his positive work rate, McKennie is a leader on the field, and hard to keep out of the starting lineup.
Malik Tillman also was quietly solid during the March window and didn’t seem phased by the level of opposition that Belgium and Portugal possessed. Tillman is a creative player and although his minutes have dropped for Bayer Leverkusen, it’s hard to see him left out given Pochettino’s belief in him.
Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter started alongside one another against Portugal and rarely put a foot wrong in the match. Both are continuing to feature more and more under Pochettino, a testament to their development as players.
I think it’s hard to keep both players off the final roster, especially given their growth over the past 12-16 months. Morris is fighting for promotion with Middlesbrough while Berhalter is playing week in and week out for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Cristian Roldan is an easy choice for me, given the fact that Roldan has been available for whenever Pochettino needs him. Roldan brings a veteran presence and could play in a number of different roles.
Brenden Aaronson may have played the fewest minutes of any outfield player in the March window, but he still has a role to play in Pochettino’s squad. Aaronson’s work rate, defensive pressing, and pestering as an attacking midfielder will be key to have for the World Cup.
Gio Reyna’s lack of playing time this season with Borussia Moenchengladbach shouldn’t hurt his chances with the USMNT. Pochettino has previously backed Reyna’s involvement with the squad, regardless of his club role.
Diego Luna is on the bubble for me but if the roster came out tomorrow, I think he just misses out given his late start to the MLS season. Luna is surging upward but I think Pochettino will go with some more experienced options over him when it’s all said and done.
Johnny Cardoso and Tanner Tessmann were originally on my roster but recent injuries I think will ultimately rule them out. Cardoso recently underwent ankle surgery while Tessmann missed the last two weeks for Lyon and will also be out for the club’s season finale.
Missed The Cut – Diego Luna, Yunus Musah, Gianluca Busio, Paxten Aaronson, Luca De La Torre, Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessmann, Djordje Mihailovic, Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan (Injury), Ben Cremaschi, Caden Clark, Brian Gutierrez, Timmy Tillman, James Sands.
Forwards
Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Alex Zendejas, Ricardo Pepi.
The increased roster size from 23 to 26 players should help Pochettino in bringing in a few extra forwards for the competition.
Christian Pulisic delivered one of his quieter USMNT windows of recent times, but remains a leader in the squad. Although his goal-less drought in 2026 has continued into May, Pulisic still has time to get back on form at AC Milan before the World Cup’s bright lights turn on.
However, should Pulisic not find his form before May, it could be worrying for the USMNT come tournament time.
Tim Weah is listed a winger, but could also see time at wing back. Weah has mainly played in a defensive role for Marseille this season and also featured for the USMNT there in March.
I think we will see Weah used more a wingback than a winger come World Cup time, but he also can be used higher up if needed. A recent exclusion from Marseille’s league match is a worry though and something to monitor heading into this weekend’s season finale.
Alex Zendejas is a player who did not get a March call-up but still has a fighting chance to be on the World Cup roster. Zendejas continues to play regularly at Club America and brings a different dynamic than other wingers in the pool.
A recent Man of the Match showing against Pumas should do wonders for Zendejas’ confidence too.
The No. 9 race will be tough for Pochettino to break down, but all signs point to Folarin Balogun being his starter for Matchday 1.
Balogun was held in check against Portugal and Belgium, rarely making himself known in the final-third. However, his club form has remained in stellar form, with Balogun nearing 20 goals this season for Monaco.
It’s hard to see Balogun dropping out of the No. 1 spot, bearing an injury or major drop in form.
Ricardo Pepi played just 19 minutes during the March window, but has bounced back for PSV in a major way. Pepi is also nearing the 20-goal plateau this spring and could get there with one match remaining.
Haji Wright might have been injured during the March window, but I still think he finds a way to get into the World Cup roster. Wright scored under Pochettino in 2025 and has remained a key player for Coventry City, who are headed up to the Premier League next season.
With Patrick Agyemang’s season-ending injury forcing him out, it’s hard to see anyone else leapfrogging over Wright.
Missed The Cut – Pat Agyemang (Injury), Brian White, Josh Sargent, Daryl Dike, Damion Downs.
What do you think of this roster projection? Who is on the squad that you are happy to see included? Who is the one player you would add to the team that isn’t among our 26? Who isn’t listed on any of the above lists that you feel absolutely should be mentioned? (We will be adjusting the list to include any players we may have accidentally left off).
Share your thoughts below.
Way to early 2030 WC Roster
GK: Freese, Eyestone, Kochen
LB: Tolkin, Bambino
CB: Richards, Wynder, McKenzie, Banks, Cupps
RB: Freeman, Dest
CM: Adams, Cardoso, Mehmeti, Tessmann
AM: Tsakiris, Wes
W: Pulisic, Tillman, Albert, Sullivan, Gozo
CF: Balo, Pepi, Hall
I’ll be shocked if this is even 50% correct, but it was interesting to think about Mathis and Cavan will only be 20, Pulisic’s era guys will be in their early 30s not of the question. Will the mid 20s group of P.Aaronson, McGlynn, Luna, Busio etc… step up. Does Gio finally get a redemption arc? I don’t think any of the guys I listed that aren’t in this year’s consideration are locks either.
Why should we take Max Arfsen as a defender when he’s not doing any defending in MLS. Arfsen is not unequivocally playing as a defender or LB….. If you’re not even working week-in week-out on your craft, on players in MLS, taking into consideration the speed of the game and the timing of tackles etc, you’re not going to be able to “All of a sudden” defend against world class players playing in EPL, Serie A, La Liga bundesliga etc……. We have enough Wingers playing better and at higher levels. I don’t see it. Selection day is indeed going to be interesting
Max has never been a true LB for The Crew. Honestly his role hasn’t changed that much for Columbus, they’re basically playing with 4 CBs instead of 3 (which begs the question how we gave up 3 2nd half set piece goals last week, but I digress). We should never expect Arfsten to defend world class players because he can’t. But what LB are out there that can? Lund is essentially the same player, Tolkin is hurt, Wiley injured. Paredes just back from 2 years of injury and has barely played LB since moving to Germany, I suppose next would be Luca Bombino or Frankie Westfield neither showed World Class level defending at U20 WC last fall. Arfsten is probably the backup for Jedi so you probably go with the guy that the staff knows and the players know. I’ve downplayed Max ever since he started getting call ups so if he doesn’t go I’ll be fine with that decision but I see why he’s in the conversation. The US has never produced a ton of defensive minded LBs so we just throw attacking minded players over there to hopefully keep the other team pinned back.
Joe Scally playing well in Bundesliga and has had a direct impact turning things around in Monchengladbach, Johnny Cardoso is back and playing well and helped Atletico to almost reach the UEFA Championship’s League final…….Mauricio Pochettino will officially release the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup roster on Tuesday, May 26, 2026……and there are going to be some surprising inclusions / exclusions is all I’m saying lol
And here we go again “ Per Atletico Madrid, #USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso suffered a “high-grade right ankle sprain” in training
The club is not putting a timeline on his recovery but says Cardoso will undergo physiotherapy and rehab work in the gym.” yeah this was today. Made it from 4/14 to 5/5 this time. Every 4 or 5 weeks he has one of these minor injuries.
Damn….
we need to be playing 3421 and not 433. the picks are kind of broken down like it’s 433 (which has stunk) with a wing slot and mid slots when it should be 343 with 2 DMs and only 2 pinched slots supporting the striker. in which case we need more legbreakers and fewer pure attackers.
i am concerned backup keeper consists of the shaky turner then a guy we’ve never capped and stress tested.
dest has, what, 30′ of game on that hamstring? that’s dangerous.
CB after richards is a mess.
as a “performance” guy i think arfsten, roldan, and berhalter have earned it while aaronson and zendejas should not.
i think we need at least one of luna or reyna on the roster, someone more in the 10 mold that can dribble, play in tight spaces, and centrally go after teams and playmake. i don’t like this when it’s sideways passing then a cross.
3-4-2–1 (using Larry’s prediction)
Strikers: Balo, Pepi, Wright
Attackers: Pulisic, Tillman, Aaronson, Zendajas, Weston
CM: Adams, Tessmann, Roldan, Seb, Morris
WB: Dest, Arfsten, Jedi, Weah
CB: Richards, Ream,
Trusty, McKenzie, MRob, Freeman
You have a backup at every position and an extra at all MF and Attacking position even without double dipping.
the argument we can’t “thunderdome” our roster is crap. i read that james rodriguez is leaving MN for colombian camp on 5/15 — like US players used to do. people on here continue to confuse FIFA rules dictating minimum treatment from reticent clubs — “players have to be released by ________” — with that being the date USSF should pick for their camp.
MLS teams could release players early like they used to. the championship is done unless you’re playoffs. scotland, eredivisie, and ligue un end mid-may. that’s like 17 of 26 players off the last roster. you call in some (serious) trialists and camp bodies for a week and that’s full sided scrimmages.
i get lectured about the rules but we used to do things different and we used to do better at the tournaments, too. it’s bizarre when the ones who think we are going nowhere are also the ones arguing very hard we should do exactly what USSF is planning every time. is it working or not.
James whole deal with Minnesota was to be fresh for WC. It was all written into his temporary contract that runs officially to June 30, but was always known he’d leave when camp began.
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What are you going to learn in Thunderdome that you haven’t learned in 18 months? They’ve seen all these guys together. Even if the US held all their roster moves to the last second are you going to give say Xavi Gozo or Julian Hall a spot based on one friendly? Anyone that hasn’t been in camp you’re picking off of club form anyway. Maybe the roster does stink but any chance to fix that sailed in the fall. Get guys in camp ready to play how you want them too.
The Gold Cup could be instructive here. He didn’t want any part time guys in the build up to the GC. It shows how Poch wants to build the team in those weeks prior to the tournament. I’m thinking he believes – and his actions bare this out – he doesn’t need months to build team cohesion. He needs a few weeks in camp together prior to the tournament. He did this with the GC. And if you think abouthis own international experience with Argentina. Those rosters were not set until the tournament said they had to be. Then the work of cohesion and chemistry was built. He has collected his data on players over the last months and now he has an educated guess on what the best team will look like on the field and in the locker room even if they haven’t played together consistently already. That’s what the extended camp is for – gelling. These are professionals. Would a Thunderdome help this…maybe. I wouldn’t be against it just for the reaslons of seeing Gozo or Hall to even Tskaris ( >Reyna imo).
Tsakaris > Reyna on club form….half trolling a certain Reyna lover on here – lol
Also because previous WCs had fewer teams there was an extra week between the end of the European season and the WC. Also MLS didn’t have leagues cup to schedule around giving them more flexibility since they weren’t taking 3 weeks off in late July and August.
Gary, performing well for a great club doesn’t actually do anything for the national team and Cordosa has been performing very well for his club all the way back to his days in Brazil, but has had a lot of really bad performances for the US. Same goes for Scalley. The question is does the coach put more value on what the players do in camps and US games vs club. I think Poch is going to value past US team performances more than club performances which is why I think Reyna will be on the team. In the case of Cordosa, Tesseman has also had some bad games for the US but probably not to the magnitude of Cordosa buy I could see him taking Johnny over Tesseman now based on current club form and Tesseman losing his starting job.
The editors really should erase the older comments since things change. Personally, I just don’t see how you can leave out Scally and Cordoso. Scally plays 90 minutes every game for a good Bundesliga team. Maybe include him in place of Roldan, since I value defenders over a less important midfielder.
We have a plethora of good midfielders and our biggest weakness may be in defense.. I don’t see how you can ignore that. Cardoso is playing more and more for Athletico, one of the best clubs in Europe, which makes it one of the best clubs in the world. I would put Ream as 3td best CB, with Trusty and McKenzie ahead of him. Tessman has not been playing much lately for Lyon, a good team, but I find that concerning. I would replace him with Cardoso.