Roster Announcement at Pier 17
U.S. Soccer confirmed the 26‑man squad for the 2026 World Cup during a press event at Pier 17 in Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon. The official list was first reported by The Guardian and later verified by multiple outlets, including The Athletic, ensuring the details are now set in stone.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s selection includes a mix of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers. Players such as Alejandro Zendejas and Cristian Roldan earned spots, while the squad also welcomes back Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Ricardo Pepi, all of whom missed the 2022 edition due to injury.
The omission of Tanner Tessmann and Diego Luna came as a surprise to many observers. Tessmann, who started 22 Ligue 1 matches for Lyon this season and attended six camps under Pochettino, leaves a noticeable gap in central midfield, prompting analysts to note a relative thinness in that department.
In attack, the roster features a dynamic mix of creativity and pace, with Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson, and Zendejas all slated to vie for minutes. Up front, Folarin Balogun leads a forward line that also includes Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright, offering a blend of youth and experience.
Between the posts, goalkeepers Matt Freese and Chris Brady earned spots, while veteran captain Tim Ream joins Robinson, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, and Sergiño Dest as part of a deep defensive pool that can shift between center backs and fullbacks.
Following the announcement, the team will convene in Fayette County, Georgia, for a training camp in Atlanta before heading to Europe for two send‑off friendlies against Senegal and Germany. These matches will serve as the final tune‑up ahead of the World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12.
Preparing for Paraguay
FIFA requires official rosters to be submitted by June 1, giving the coaching staff a narrow window to finalize tactics and chemistry. With the schedule set, the United States will look to translate its balanced squad into a competitive performance when the tournament begins.