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USA World Cup 2026 Squad: Pulisic Leads Pochettino's 26-Man Roster
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has officially named his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Christian Pulisic headlining the selection while fan favorites Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were left out in arguably the most anticipated announcement in American soccer history.
The Official Roster Announcement
On May 26, 2026, U.S. Soccer confirmed Mauricio Pochettino's final 26-man roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The announcement, made in New York, marks the culmination of a multi-year rebuild under the Argentine coach who took charge in 2023. With 84 international caps, Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) leads the group as the most experienced player, while Weston McKennie (Juventus) and Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach) round out the headline names in what Pochettino called "a squad that is ready to compete on the biggest stage."
The United States enters the tournament as one of three co-hosts alongside Mexico and Canada, with their home-field advantage expected to provide an enormous boost. The USMNT is drawn in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye — a competitive but navigable group that American fans will fancy their chances of topping.
Full 26-Man Roster
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Chris Brady | Chicago Fire (MLS) |
| GK | Matt Freese | New York City FC (MLS) |
| GK | Matt Turner | New England Revolution (MLS) |
| DEF | Max Arfsten | Columbus Crew (MLS) |
| DEF | Sergiño Dest | PSV Eindhoven |
| DEF | Alex Freeman | Villarreal |
| DEF | Mark McKenzie | Toulouse |
| DEF | Tim Ream | Charlotte FC (MLS) |
| DEF | Chris Richards | Crystal Palace |
| DEF | Antonee Robinson | Fulham |
| DEF | Miles Robinson | FC Cincinnati (MLS) |
| DEF | Joe Scally | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| DEF | Auston Trusty | Celtic |
| MID | Tyler Adams | AFC Bournemouth |
| MID | Sebastian Berhalter | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) |
| MID | Weston McKennie | Juventus |
| MID | Cristian Roldan | Seattle Sounders (MLS) |
| ATK/WIN | Brenden Aaronson | Leeds United |
| ATK/WIN | Christian Pulisic | AC Milan |
| ATK/WIN | Gio Reyna | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| ATK/WIN | Malik Tillman | Bayer Leverkusen |
| ATK/WIN | Tim Weah | Marseille |
| ATK/WIN | Alejandro Zendejas | Club América |
| FWD | Folarin Balogun | — |
| FWD | Haji Wright | — |
| FWD | Ricardo Pepi | PSV Eindhoven |
The Key Players: Stars of the Squad
Christian Pulisic is the undisputed talisman of this USMNT. With 84 international caps, the AC Milan forward is the most experienced player in the squad and has been the focal point of American soccer's rise over the past decade. His creativity, direct running, and eye for goal will be crucial in Group D and beyond. Pulisic has won U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year four times — tying Landon Donovan's all-time record — and arrives at the World Cup in excellent form.
Weston McKennie (Juventus) provides the engine in midfield. The combative and technically gifted midfielder brings top-level Serie A experience and is a key figure in Pochettino's system. Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth) offers the defensive shield the midfield needs — when fit, he is arguably the most important player in the team's structure.
Gio Reyna's inclusion is one of the feel-good stories of the squad. The Borussia Mönchengladbach attacking midfielder has had injury troubles in recent years but makes the final cut, to the delight of American fans who have long anticipated seeing him flourish on the biggest stage. Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven) leads the attack alongside veterans Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright.
The Notable Omissions
No selection generates as much discussion as the players left out. The two biggest snubs are Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann.
Diego Luna, the Real Salt Lake midfielder, has been one of the faces of USMNT marketing ahead of the tournament and was a fan favorite. His absence came as a genuine shock. At just 21, he will have future World Cups ahead of him, but missing the home edition will sting.
Tanner Tessmann (Lyon) was another surprise omission. The dynamic central midfielder had been building strong form in Ligue 1, and many observers expected him to make the final cut. Pochettino ultimately went in a different direction with his midfield choices.
USA's Path Through Group D
The Group D draw is kind but not without challenges. The United States faces Paraguay (June 12), Australia, and Turkiye. With home-crowd advantage across multiple venues, the USMNT will be expected to advance from the group stage, but complacency will be the enemy — Paraguay and Australia are experienced nations, and Turkiye possess dangerous attacking players.
If the USMNT advances, the Round of 32 and Round of 16 fixtures could see them face groups C or D opposition — a path that, in theory, could deliver a quarter-final berth. The ultimate goal for Pochettino is to match or surpass the semi-final run of 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine coach who previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, PSG, and Chelsea, is in charge of the USMNT for the 2026 World Cup.
The United States opens the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay on June 12, 2026.
Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), with 84 international caps, is the most experienced player and leads the squad. He is the USMNT's most decorated player of his generation.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino did not publicly detail his reasons, but the RSL midfielder was a high-profile omission despite being featured prominently in pre-tournament marketing. Competition for places in midfield was extremely high.
The United States is in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye. The Americans need to finish in the top 2 — or as one of the 8 best third-place finishers — to advance to the knockout rounds.
Sources
U.S. Soccer Official — USMNT 26-Player Roster Announcement ESPN — USMNT names 2026 World Cup roster after leaks NPR — The U.S. reveals its World Cup roster Fox News — Pulisic headlines USMNT roster, Luna and Tessmann left out⚽ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should you know about: The Official Roster Announcement?
On May 26, 2026, U.S. Soccer confirmed Mauricio Pochettino's final 26-man roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026 . The announcement, made in New York, marks the culmination of a multi-year rebuild under the Argentine coach...
What should you know about: Full 26-Man Roster?
Christian Pulisic is the undisputed talisman of this USMNT. With 84 international caps, the AC Milan forward is the most experienced player in the squad and has been the focal point of American soccer's rise over the...
What should you know about: The Key Players: Stars of the Squad?
Christian Pulisic is the undisputed talisman of this USMNT. With 84 international caps, the AC Milan forward is the most experienced player in the squad and has been the focal point of American soccer's rise over the...
What should you know about: The Notable Omissions?
No selection generates as much discussion as the players left out. The two biggest snubs are Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann .
What should you know about: USA's Path Through Group D?
The Group D draw is kind but not without challenges. The United States faces Paraguay (June 12), Australia, and Turkiye. With home-crowd advantage across multiple venues, the USMNT will be expected to advance from the...