USA coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced his squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The co-hosts face Australia, Paraguay and Türkiye in Group D and boast a squad full of players who experienced their first taste of the global showpiece at Qatar 2022. Leading the way is AC Milan attacking star Christian Pulisic, who scored a goal and had two assists in his maiden finals. Another headliner is Weston McKennie, the do-it-all Juventus man who will patrol the centre of the park for the Stars and Stripes.
Among the notable inclusions are Gio Reyna, the immensely talented attacking midfielder who suffered from a lack of minutes at club level with Borussia Monchengladbach, but has the playmaking ability that Pochettino seeks.
In goal, Matt Freese and Matt Turner will each aim to be the No1 come tournament time, with Freese’s 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup campaign making him the favourite.
Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards anchors the back line, however the 2025 FA Cup-winning defender is dealing with an injury but hopes to be ready for the 12 June opener. Full-backs Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson bring pace and punch on the flanks and will be pushed by youngsters Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman.
Tyler Adams and McKennie will be key cogs in central midfield, while going forward the likes of Pulisic, Reyna and Timothy Weah offer the creativity that will be required to navigate their trio of tricky opponents. Up top, Folarin Balogun looks set to be the USA’s main No9 and will be backed up by Ricardo Pepi, who gets the nod after narrowly missing out four years ago, and Qatar 2022 goalscorer Haji Wright.
“We are confident this is the best group of 26 players to help us achieve success at the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “These were very difficult decisions, and we are thankful to all the players who were part of this journey. This group is very focused and ready to give everything they have to represent the United States and deliver performances that will make the fans and the country proud.”
USA’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady
Matt Freese
Matt Turner
Defenders
Max Arfsten
Sergino Dest
Alex Freeman
Mark McKenzie
Tim Ream
Chris Richards
Antonee Robinson
Miles Robinson
Joe Scally
Auston Trusty
Midfielders
Tyler Adams
Sebastian Berhalter
Weston McKennie
Cristian Roldan
Brenden Aaronson
Christian Pulisic
Gio Reyna
Malik Tillman
Timothy Weah
Alejandro Zendejas
Forwards
Folarin Balogun
Ricardo Pepi
Haji Wright
All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.
