The final cases have been made for the 2026 World Cup. Now, Mauricio Pochettino will have to decide.
The U.S. men’s national team made its closing arguments to Pochettino during the March window, which ended with a 5-2 loss to Belgium and a 2-0 reverse against Portugal.
Though the USMNT was ultimately humbled by two top-10 teams, there were some moments of optimism as several players boosted their stock. There were, of course, others who didn’t fare as well.
Now Pochettino will monitor form and fitness over the next two months, which will culminate in his World Cup roster being announced on May 26.
Below are the 26 players we see Pochettino naming for his World Cup roster:
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Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner
In the mix: Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Roman Celentano, Jonathan Klinsmann, Zack Steffen
Pochettino raised some eyebrows when he gave Turner the start against Belgium after Freese had started the previous 12 matches. Turner performed admirably, making a few strong saves, but wasn’t flawless — particularly on Belgium’s opener.
Though Pochettino declared there was an “open competition” at goalkeeper ahead of the Portugal game, he gave Freese the start and the New York City FC goalkeeper did well enough to presumably retain his place.
The battle for the third goalkeeper spot seems wide open, with Schulte, Celentano and Brady the most likely candidates.
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty
In the mix: Joe Scally, Kristoffer Lund, Tristan Blackmon, Walker Zimmerman, Noahkai Banks, John Tolkin
The USMNT back line is in way more flux than Pochettino would like this close to the World Cup. Only Richards seems assured of a starting role. Ream is still the favorite to start at left center back next to him (assuming Pochettino sticks with a back three), but is far from a sure thing at age 38 and after some uneven displays.
The right center back role is also up in the air. Miles Robinson may have entered March slightly ahead but couldn’t play because of injury. Freeman and McKenzie are also candidates.
The big question mark is Banks, who looks to have the quality to start for the USMNT right now — even at age 19. But after he turned down a March call-up and his potential first USMNT cap, it’s hard to see him on the World Cup squad right now.
Dest is another player in doubt due to an injury that has him on track to recover right around the time Pochettino will name his World Cup roster. Any setback would spell the end of his hopes and open the door for Scally to make the team.
Trusty may have played his way onto the squad with his display against Portugal. With so much uncertainty, the Celtic man could even be a candidate to displace Ream in the starting lineup.
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
In the mix: Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan, Aidan Morris, Gianluca Busio, Jack McGlynn, Luca de la Torre, Sean Zawadzki, Timmy Tillman
There is fierce competition in central midfield, which will inevitably result in some deserving players missing out. Pochettino said last week he was “suffering two months in advance” when thinking about picking his midfield spots.
Adams, McKennie and Tillman seem like the only real locks here, and all three appear to be strong bets to start multiple games at the World Cup.
In defensive midfield, Tessmann looks like a safe bet due to his strong season at Lyon and his ability to play center back. It would be surprising, but not shocking, to see him play in the back line at the World Cup.
Behind him, Cardoso, Roldan and Berhalter may be in a battle for two spots. Cardoso played well against Belgium before departing due to a minor injury. If he stays fit and in form with Atlético Madrid, it’s hard to see him being left off — despite an unimpressive track record with the USMNT.
That leaves two Pochettino favorites, Roldan and Berhalter, fighting for one spot. There isn’t much to separate them, but we’ll give Berhalter the slight edge as he enjoyed more playing time in March and is a set-piece threat.
Behind Tillman, Reyna and Luna could both get the nod — or they could be battling for one spot at the No. 10.
Pochettino didn’t give Reyna much playing time in March but his presence on the roster, in the midst of a period with almost no club playing time, suggests he’s got an inside track on a World Cup spot if healthy.
Luna has endeared himself to Pochettino and even though he missed the March window with injury, the Real Salt Lake man should have just enough to make this squad.
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah
In the mix: Josh Sargent, Alex Zendejas, Haji Wright
Pulisic, Weah and Balogun are the three locks and most likely to form the team’s starting front line against Paraguay on June 12. Weah does have the ability to shift back and play as more of a wingback, but the Marseille man is more effective in an advanced role.
Behind that trio, it gets very tight. Pepi, Agyemang and Wright may be battling for two spots. Pochettino doesn’t appear to have much faith in Pepi, who has been prolific at the club level but — partially due to injury — has barely featured under the Argentine. Even a healthy Pepi barely saw the field in March, putting his World Cup spot in doubt.
Wright and Agyemang have both had excellent seasons in the Championship, but the former missed March camp with injury while the latter played in both games — scoring against Belgium. We would give Agyemang the slight edge here, as his large frame makes him the kind of late-game specialist the U.S. could utilize if chasing a goal.
The battle between Aaronson and Zendejas is also tight. Aaronson has failed to do much under Pochettino but is having a solid campaign at Leeds. Zendejas continues to shine at Club América but wasn’t called in for the March roster.
In the end we’ll give Aaronson the nod due to his inclusion over Zendejas in March. Another possible curveball here would be Wright making the squad over both of them due to his ability to play both as a striker and a winger.
USMNT World Cup roster projection
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner
Defenders (9): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty
Midfielders (8): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman
Forwards (6): Brenden Aaronson, Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah
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