The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to be staged on United States soil since 1994, and it will feature a notable contingent of former college players who have transitioned from NCAA programs to the national team.
College roots and professional breakthroughs
Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who honed his skills at Harvard and now holds 54 international caps, is the most experienced U.S. keeper, while forward Matt Freese, a Harvard alumnus who earned Second‑Team All‑Ivy honors before signing with New York City FC, adds depth in attack.
Midfielder Max Arfsten, a UC Davis graduate drafted 14th overall by the Columbus Crew, and defender Mark McKenzie, who spent a season at Wake Forest before moving to Europe with Genk and Toulouse, illustrate the varied pathways that lead to selection.
Veteran presence also comes from Tim Ream, a Saint Louis graduate with 81 caps, and defender Miles Robinson, who starred at Syracuse before earning 39 caps and three goals for the United States, while Sebastian Berhalter, a UNC alumnus, contributes 12 caps and a handful of assists.
The roster is completed by Cristian Roldan, a Washington product with 46 caps and five assists, rounding out a group that reflects the growing influence of college soccer on the international stage.
Their journeys underscore a broader trend: institutions such as Harvard Athletics, Fairfield Athletics, UC Davis Athletics, Wake Forest Athletics, Saint Louis Athletics, Syracuse Athletics, North Carolina Athletics and Washington Athletics continue to feed talent into professional and international arenas.