Mauricio Pochettino named the USMNT World Cup squad 2026 on May 26 at a live FOX broadcast in New York City. The 26-player USA roster blends 13 returnees from the 2022 round-of-16 run with 13 first-time World Cup players. Gio Reyna made the cut. Diego Luna, widely tipped to travel, did not.
The USA opens Group D against Paraguay on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium. Veteran defender Tim Ream captains the side, while Christian Pulisic headlines with 84 caps and 32 goals. Pochettino loaded up on defenders, naming 10, and gambled on the fitness of injured stars Pulisic and Tyler Adams, both expected to be ready.
This is your full USA squad list, schedule, and key player breakdown for the 2026 tournament.
USMNT 26-Player Roster for World Cup 2026
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Matt Turner | New England Revolution | 31 | 53 | 0 |
| GK | Matt Freese | New York City FC | 27 | 14 | 0 |
| GK | Chris Brady | Chicago Fire | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Antonee Robinson | Fulham | 28 | 52 | 4 |
| DF | Sergiño Dest | PSV Eindhoven | 25 | 37 | 2 |
| DF | Tim Ream (C) | Charlotte FC | 38 | 80 | 1 |
| DF | Chris Richards | Crystal Palace | 26 | 36 | 3 |
| DF | Miles Robinson | FC Cincinnati | 29 | 38 | 3 |
| DF | Mark McKenzie | Toulouse | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| DF | Max Arfsten | Columbus Crew | 25 | 18 | 1 |
| DF | Alex Freeman | Villarreal | 21 | 15 | 2 |
| DF | Joe Scally | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 23 | 24 | 0 |
| DF | Auston Trusty | Celtic | 27 | 6 | 0 |
| MF | Tyler Adams | Bournemouth | 27 | 52 | 2 |
| MF | Weston McKennie | Juventus | 27 | 64 | 12 |
| MF | Cristian Roldan | Seattle Sounders | 30 | 45 | 0 |
| MF | Sebastian Berhalter | Vancouver Whitecaps | 24 | 11 | 1 |
| MF | Malik Tillman | Bayer Leverkusen | 23 | 28 | 3 |
| MF | Gio Reyna | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 23 | 36 | 9 |
| FW | Christian Pulisic | AC Milan | 27 | 84 | 32 |
| FW | Tim Weah | Marseille | 26 | 49 | 7 |
| FW | Brenden Aaronson | Leeds United | 25 | 57 | 9 |
| FW | Alejandro Zendejas | Club América | 27 | 13 | 2 |
| FW | Folarin Balogun | Monaco | 24 | 25 | 8 |
| FW | Ricardo Pepi | PSV Eindhoven | 23 | 35 | 13 |
| FW | Haji Wright | Coventry City | 28 | 20 | 7 |
For all 48 teams, check our World Cup 2026 squads tracker.
Quick Stats about the USA Roster
Here are the key numbers in Mauricio Pochettino’s final 26.
- Average age: 26 years, 332 days at the opening match, the fifth youngest squad the USA has sent to a World Cup
- Most-capped player: Christian Pulisic (84 caps)
- Top scorer in the squad: Christian Pulisic (32 international goals)
- 2022 World Cup returnees: 13, tying the USA record for most returnees between consecutive World Cups
- First-time World Cup players: 13, exactly half the squad
- Defenders named: 10, the deepest position group in the squad
- Youngest players: Chris Brady and Alex Freeman (both 21)
- Oldest player: Tim Ream (38)
Key Players to Watch
Christian Pulisic (AC Milan). The USA’s talisman and all-time leader in caps among the squad with 84, plus 32 goals. Pulisic missed the pre-camp friendlies with a minor injury but is expected to be fit. He carries the creative load from the left and is the player opponents fear most.
Tyler Adams (Bournemouth). The defensive midfield anchor and 2022 World Cup captain. Adams remains the heartbeat of the press, even though Tim Ream now wears the armband. He sat out the spring friendlies injured, but Pochettino backs him to control the engine room.
Weston McKennie (Juventus). The squad’s most prolific midfielder with 12 international goals. McKennie brings box-to-box energy and late runs into the area. His form for Juventus has been a bright spot heading into the tournament.
Tim Ream (Charlotte FC). The 38-year-old captain and the squad’s oldest player. Ream thought his international career ended after 2022, then re-emerged as Pochettino’s on-field leader, wearing the armband in 16 of 23 matches under the coach. His calm and positioning steady a young backline.
Folarin Balogun (Monaco). The first-choice striker, with 8 goals in 25 caps. Balogun gives the USA a genuine center-forward who stretches defenses. His link play with Pulisic and Weah is central to the attack.
Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach). The most debated inclusion. Reyna has 9 goals in 36 caps and rare creativity, but injuries and limited minutes clouded his case. Pochettino picked him over Diego Luna, betting that his ceiling can change a knockout match.
USMNT World Cup 2026 Schedule
The USA plays all three group stage matches on the West Coast. Local kick-off times are listed in both Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT) for fans at home.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (PT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | Paraguay | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood | 9:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Friday, June 19 | Australia | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field), Seattle | 3:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 25 | Türkiye | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood | 10:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
All kickoff times follow the official FIFA match schedule, and Group D positions were confirmed from the December 5, 2025 draw in Washington. Before the tournament, the USA plays Senegal on May 31 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte in the Allstate Continental Clásico. The squad trains at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Atlanta.
How the USA Qualified for World Cup 2026
The USA qualified automatically as a co-host of the 2026 World Cup. The tournament is shared between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, so all three host nations skipped the qualifying cycle and were seeded directly into the group draw.
That gave Pochettino an unusual buildup. Instead of competitive qualifiers, the USA used friendlies and the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup to shape the squad. The team ended 2025 strong, with wins over Paraguay and Uruguay that built belief heading into the home tournament.
This is the second World Cup the USA has hosted, after 1994. The Americans reached the round of 16 in 1994 and again at Qatar 2022, the benchmark this squad wants to pass on home soil.
Head Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino, 54, has managed the USA since the fall of 2024. The Argentine took over after a long club career at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, bringing elite European pedigree to the national team job. This is his first World Cup as a head coach.
Pochettino favors an aggressive, high-pressing style built around energy and width. He typically sets up in a 4-3-3, with Adams screening the defense and Pulisic and Weah stretching the flanks. His squad selection leaned defensive, naming 10 defenders to add balance.
The decisions cost him sleep. Pochettino said leaving players out was painful, recalling his own experience of being cut from Argentina’s World Cup plans as a player. He knows what the snub feels like, which made the Diego Luna call one of the hardest.
Group D at a Glance
| Team | FIFA Ranking | World Cup Appearances | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 16 | 12 | Third place (1930) |
| Paraguay | 39 | 9 | Quarter-finals (2010) |
| Australia | 26 | 7 | Round of 16 (2006, 2022) |
| Türkiye | 25 | 3 | Third place (2002) |
Group D is one of the most open at the tournament. The USA are favorites on home soil, but none of the three opponents are easy. Türkiye return to the World Cup for the first time since their third-place run in 2002. Australia bring their trademark grit and a sixth straight appearance. For group breakdowns, see our Groups page.
FAQ About USMNT World Cup Roster 2026
What is the USA’s FIFA ranking going into the 2026 World Cup?
The USA is ranked 16th in the world as of the April 1, 2026 FIFA rankings. That places them above group rivals Australia, Türkiye, and Paraguay, and makes them the seeded favorite to win Group D on home soil.
What is the USA’s best-ever World Cup finish?
The USA finished third at the first World Cup in 1930, still their best result. In the modern era, their high points are reaching the quarter-finals in 2002 and the round of 16 in 1994, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
How many MLS players are in the USA’s 2026 squad?
Seven MLS players made the roster: Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Tim Ream, Cristian Roldan, Max Arfsten, and Sebastian Berhalter. The rest play in Europe, with the Premier League and Eredivisie the most represented overseas leagues.
What formation does the USA play under Pochettino?
Pochettino typically uses a 4-3-3 built on high pressing and wide attackers. Tyler Adams anchors the midfield, while Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah provide width and direct running on the flanks.
Why is this World Cup so important for the USA?
The 2026 World Cup is the first hosted on USA soil since 1994 and the first as part of a three-nation co-hosting bid with Canada and Mexico. The home crowd and automatic qualification raise expectations to reach at least the knockout rounds.
Where will the USA play its group stage games?
All three USA group matches are on the West Coast. Two are at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, against Paraguay and Türkiye, and one is at Seattle Stadium against Australia. Both venues sit in the Pacific Time zone.
USA’s World Cup 2026 Hopes
The USMNT World Cup squad 2026 carries the weight of a host nation. Pochettino has built a young, energetic group around proven names like Pulisic, McKennie, and Adams, with real depth in defense. The fitness of Pulisic and Adams is the obvious swing factor. Healthy, this team can press, score, and trouble anyone.
The path is there. A favorable group, home crowds, and a manager who has coached at the highest level give the USA a real shot at the quarter-finals. If the young players rise and the stars stay fit, this could be the deepest USA run in a generation.
