We’re a month away from the United States Men’s National Team stepping onto the field at SoFi Stadium for their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. In a couple of weeks, we will know who will be some of those guys that step out onto that field. On May 26th, U.S. Soccer will announce the USMNT World Cup roster, and 26 players will see their dreams realized of making a World Cup on home soil.
But, who will make the roster? Who will USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino call upon to represent the United
States at the world’s tournament? There are probably 35 players who could conceivably have a shot at one of the 26 roster spots. Ultimately, it’s up to Pochettino to decide who those guys will be that he thinks can advance far and try to become the first team to win a World Cup on home soil since France in 1998.
So, who will Mauricio Pochettino choose for his 26-man roster? Let’s predict who will receive the coveted tickets to the World Cup.
Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Matt Freese is the starter for the USMNT, and Matt Turner will be the main backup. Those two things seem to be givens at this point. The real question will be who will be selected as the third goalkeeper. Chris Brady has the leg up as he was named to the roster in March over Patrick Schulte, who was added as an injury replacement for Roman Celentano. In the end, Chris Brady edges out Schulte due to his form on the club level.
Misses cut: Patrick Schultz (Columbus Crew), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)
Defenders (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, and Tim Ream are the locks of the defensive unit to make the team. After that, there are guys that have clearly played their way into Poch’s plans. Alex Freeman, Max Arfsten, Mark McKenzie, and Auston Trusty are guys that Pochettino trusts and will get the call. Sergiño Dest, who returned to action with PSV recently, shows he’s fit enough to make the team and it’s welcome news for the USMNT.
Misses cut: Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Midfielders (9): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
There are some guys who are locks for the midfield: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Malik Tillman. The rest could change around depending on form down the stretch or, in the case of Johnny Cardoso, injury likely ruling him out of the World Cup. With Johnny likely sidelined this summer (and he was still a question mark to make the roster despite his form for Atlético Madrid), Aidan Morris gets onto the roster. Tanner Tessmann, Diego Luna, and Sebastian Berhalter feel like they will be solidly on the roster. Cristian Roldan will also be a guy on the roster as Pochettino finds him dependable and able to be versatile and provide cover for many midfield positions.
The final player, and the most controversial, is Gio Reyna, who Pochettino has said in no uncertain terms that his form for the national team is outweighing his lack of form and minutes in 2026 on the club level. He’s started to play better for Borussia Mönchengladbach recently, but Reyna will be included on the roster for what Poch believes he can do in that national team jersey.
Misses cut: Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid), Yunus Musah (Atalanta)
Forwards (6): Brendan Aaronson (Leeds United), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
The forward group might be the one that is in the best form, with the exception of the face of the team: Christian Pulisic. He’s been in a slump lately and hasn’t scored for the USMNT since November 2024. The USMNT will need one of the faces of the World Cup to deliver this summer. Tim Weah is a lock for the roster, and Brendan Aaronson makes it as a forward, but will also have an opportunity to provide relief in the midfield. Because of Patrick Agyemang’s terrible Achilles injury that has sidelined him for the year, Mauricio Pochettino avoids his biggest obstacle: choosing between several center forwards that are in peak form and scoring goals. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright (who can also play out on the wing) will all make the team convincingly.
Misses cut: Alex Zendejas (Club América), Josh Sargent (Toronto FC)
The World Cup will be here shortly, and we’ll know the roster shortly. For 26 guys, a dream comes true. For others, that dream is shattered if they don’t hear their name called on May 26th.
