USMNT 2026 World Cup roster projection, predicting squad's 26 players: Who will Mauricio Pochettino choose?

The next time that Mauricio Pochettino names a USMNT roster will be on May 26, and that's when it will be for real, as that will be the final 26 players who will represent the USMNT at the World Cup. Not much has changed in the USMNT pecking order as the March international break has come to a close, but the importance of players like Tyler Adams, Diego Luna, and Sergino Dest -- all of whom missed the camp due to injuries has shown in losses to Belgium and Portugal.

While there was improvement from the first match to the second, losing two matches while allowing seven goals and only scoring two was enough to remove all goodwill that the USMNT gained with their five-match unbeaten run to close out 2025. The real USMNT performance is likely somewhere between the two, and most nations will lose matches to Belgium and Portugal, but with it being the final impression left by the USMNT before a World Cup squad is named, there are questions that they'll need to answer in order to rise to the occasion ahead. Next up will be friendlies facing Senegal and Germany that will offer final tune-ups before the main event.

With that out of the way, let's take a crack at picking Pochettino's final 26 players:

USMNT roster locks

A section that has been dwindling as regression has hit the USMNT pool, this is a group of players who, if healthy, are still expected to be in the squad and likely start matches. 

• GK Matt Freese
• DEF Tim Ream
• DEF Chris Richards
• DEF Antonee Robinson
• DEF Sergino Dest 
• DEF Tim Weah
• MID Weston McKennie
  
• MID Tyler Adams
• MID Malik Tillman
• FWD Christian Pulisic
• FWD Folarin Balogun

One group of players that hasn't changed much is the locks for the squad. If these players are healthy, not only will they be in the World Cup squad, but they'll also be starting the first match for the USMNT, facing Paraguay on June 12 to kick off the tournament. It's a critical moment for the side, but if they're successful at the World Cup, this is the group that will need to be in top form to make it happen. 

It's not ideal that Tyler Adams missed the March international break, but his absence showed how critical he is to the USMNT and that this will be a long World Cup (and then very likely a short one) if he can't appear for the team. Pochettino's back three is able to get results, but when facing the best of the best, Adams needs to be in the midfield. While spending most of Pochettino's time without the Bournemouth man, we're no closer to the USMNT having an Adams replacement. There is a potential reality of needing to consider that, but we're not in a situation where anyone is ready to do that.

Tillman is a new entry into this group despite coming in and out of the lineup for Bayer Leverkusen, as his lack of fear when at the 10 can be important when Weston McKennie is deeper in the lineup. McKennie can feature at the 10 or deeper in the XI, which leads to Pochettino being able to determine where others line up depending on the Juventus man. Johnny Cardoso is someone who may push to get into the XI, but with him only playing 45 minutes, at the moment, we're going to assume it's McKennie here.

Keeper is also set, as while Matt Turner got a chance in the XI during the March international break, it did nothing but show why Matt Freese is the starter under Pochettino. While this group includes 11 players, it's not a full starting XI unless Weah is pushed as a forward, but this is still the core of the USMNT.

Players on the bubble

• Johnny Cardoso (Midfielder): he may have only gotten 45 minutes during camp before needing to return to his club earlier than expected, but Cardoso made enough of an impression that he'll be in the mix when it comes time to name the full World Cup squad.                                                                                                                                                                                       
• Matt Turner (Goalkeeper): Turner is someone who will make it due to having World Cup experience and due to his leadership skills, but after struggling against Belgium, the race for the number one shirt feels over.
• Miles Robinson (Defender): Holding down the Cincinnati defense, Miles Robinson is someone who Pochettino values in defense. He may not start many games, but Robinson has been among the first names that Pochettino looks to to close out matches, which is a valuable skill.

• Auston Trusty (Defender): Celtic have had a tough season, going through three coaches, but Trusty has been at his best as of late and made an impact on the squad, starting against Portugal. It doesn't make him a lock to start for the squad, but he's absolutely in the mix.
• Gio Reyna (Forward): Still struggling to start, or even play, for yet another club, Reyna is the most conflicting member of the squad. Based on everything that Pochettino has said about players needing to start and be at their best for clubs, you'd think that Reyna won't be in the running for the World Cup, but when he keeps making squads, he has to be considered here.
• Tanner Tessmann (Midfielder): Thriving after his move to Lyon, Tessmann is someone who can fill multiple roles for the USMNT. He's gotten playing time as a defensive midfielder and as a centerback, versatility that could be key with the national team mixing things up tactically. After getting a start at center back, it feels like Tessemann has made it.

• Ricardo Pepi (Forward): His assist against Belgium showed that Pepi didn't want to miss two consecutive World Cup squads. What you do in garbage time is important, and pressing hard to stop the opposition is just what Pepi did. Add that with his form at PSV, and it doesn't seem like Pepi will be left at home this summer.
• Alex Freeman (Defender): After moving to Villarreal, Freeman is someone else struggling for playing time, but he's also learning a lot as he jumps from MLS to LaLiga play. Given that he puts in a shift every time that he is needed as a right back, there's no reason not to take him, especially when presumed starter Sergino Dest is also the second-string left back.

• Max Arfsten (Defender): Able to play as a defender or essentially push up the pitch as a wide midfielder, Arfsten is another player who brings important versatility to the squad. Robinson may be the starter at left back, but it doesn't get much better as far as a change of pace option.
• Brenden Aaronson (Midfielder): The top assister for Leeds United this season, it seemed like Aaronson didn't have much of a shot at making the World Cup squad, but his work rate and vision have kept him around the fringes. Only time will tell if that's enough, but Aaronson is doing enough to ensure that he's in the mix right now.

• Chris Brady (Goalkeeper): A strong keeper for the Chicago Fire, Brady isn't in line to start World Cup games unless there is a significant injury to the keepers above him in the pecking order, but given that he continues to be called in as a keeper for training, he's in line for the role.
• Mark McKenzie (Defender): A player with whom Pochettino has talked about the art of defending, McKenzie is someone who could be a surprise starter at the World Cup. He has settled in well since making the move to Toulouse in France, and as another player who is comfortable in a back three or a back four, this could be McKenzie's time.
• Diego Luna (Midfielder): Becoming Pochettino's right-hand man, Luna now has to prove that he can perform against top opposition. Scoring against Uruguay is a start, but the tougher challenges are yet to come. While he missed the March international break due to injury, Luna is a player whose stock rise due to others failing to step up.

• Sebastian Berhalter (Midfielder): The Vancouver Whitecaps man has quickly become one of the best players in the squad at delivering set plays. His play on the pitch needs improvement to truly be at a USMNT level at the World Cup, but if someone needs to deliver a free kick or a corner to change the outcome of a game, there are worse options.
• Patrick Agyemang (Forward): Finding the back of the net for Derby County in the Championship, Agyemang is showing why Pochettino had faith in him. The forwards ahead of him are performing, so this is a tenuous spot, but with players like Haji Wright also being able to shift out wide, there's space for another out-and-out number nine, especially when Agyemang is the best forward in the air.

On the outside looking in

Here's a look at those who have missed the cut in this projection:

• Cristian Roldan (Midfielder): The Seattle Sounders man has not only showcased his leadership credentials with the USMNT, but he's also been an integral part of transitioning defense into attack when McKennie isn't in the squad. Now that he's gotten so much playing time under Pochettino while also representing the United States at the 2022 World Cup, Roldan will be in the mix when it comes to making the squad.
• Noahkai Banks (Defender): The latest subject of dual national panic, if Banks opts for the United States instead of Germany, he'll be in the squad. The Augsburg man has been growing as a player with every appearance that he makes with the squad, and despite being 19, he'd be an addition to a team who are lacking depth at center back.
• Haji Wright (Forward): With Coventry City flying atop the Championship, Wright is back to getting called into the national team setup on a regular basis. Able to play on the wing or as a traditional nine, Wright's versatility will keep him in the mix, but with Agyemang also there, it's tough to tell if there's enough space for both.
• Joe Scally (Defender): The shift to a back three and Scally's versatility will give him a chance, but limited minutes in the March window will come as a concern for Scally making the full squad.
• Alex Zendejas (Forward): Starring for Club America in Liga MX, there isn't much more that Zendejas can do on the pitch to show that he should be on this roster. Already playing regular soccer more than Gio Reyna, all that he can do is wait to see how the dust settles.

2026 roster projection 

Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire).

Defenders (10): Sergino Dest (PSV), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Tim Ream (Fulham), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse FC), Tim Weah (Marseille).

Midfielders (9): Weston McKennie (Juventus), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid), Tanner Tessemann (Lyon), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach).

Forwards (4): Christian Pulisic (Milan), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County).