USMNT roster projection for 2026 FIFA World Cup: Who's in, who's out, predicted lineup for USA opening game
USMNT roster projection for 2026 FIFA World Cup: Who's in, who's out, predicted lineup for USA opening game originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . As co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States are set to embark on one of the most important months in men's national team history.
Led by Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT is gearing up to push for a legendary performance on home soil, aiming to use this tournament as a springboard for exponential growth in soccer popularity across the country. A big part in determining their success in such an endeavor will be the performances on the pitch, as the USMNT aims to reach the quarterfinals of a World Cup for the second time in history and first since 2002. The Sporting News brings you a look at the U.
S. depth chart with mere months until the start of the World Cup on June 11, with the USMNT set to get their tournament under way in Group D play the following day. MORE: A complete guide to how the FIFA World Cup draw works USMNT roster projection for 2026 FIFA World Cup It has now been determined that Mauricio Pochettino will be able to call in 26 players to the FIFA World Cup .
While there were discussions that they could be reduced back to the traditional 23, or even expanded up to 30, they will remain the same as they were in Qatar 2022. The FIFA World Cup traditionally has featured 23-player squads. However, FIFA increased the size to 26 players for the 2022 World Cup "because of its unique timing [being moved to December] and the disruptive effects caused by COVID-19.
" MORE: Explaining Mauricio Pochettino's tactics in the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Projected USMNT roster for 2026 World Cup *Caps correct as of their last match on March 31, 2026. Pos Name Club Caps GK Matt Freese NYCFC (USA) 14 GK Patrick Schulte Columbus Crew (USA) 3 GK Matt Turner New England Revolution (USA) 53 DEF Max Arfsten Columbus Crew (USA) 18 DEF Sergino Dest PSV Eindhoven (NED) 37 DEF Alex Freeman Orlando City (USA) 15 DEF Tim Ream Charlotte FC (USA) 80 DEF Antonee Robinson Fulham (ENG) 52 DEF Miles Robinson FC Cincinnati (USA) 38 DEF Chris Richards Crystal Palace (ENG) 36 DEF Joe Scally Borussia Monchengladbach (GER) 24 DEF Auston Trusty Celtic (SCO) 5 MID Tyler Adams Bournemouth (ENG) 52 MID Sebastian Berhalter Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN) 11 MID Johnny Cardoso Atletico Madrid (ESP) 23 MID Diego Luna Real Salt Lake (USA) 18 MID Weston McKennie Juventus (ITA) 64 MID Aidan Morris Middlesbrough (ENG) 13 MID Cristian Roldan Seattle Sounders (USA) 45 MID Tanner Tessmann Lyon (FRA) 14 MID Malik Tillman Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 28 FWD Folarin Balogun AS Monaco (FRA) 25 FWD Ricardo Pepi PSV Eindhoven (NED) 35 FWD Christian Pulisic AC Milan (ITA) 84 FWD Timothy Weah Marseille (FRA) 49 FWD Haji Wright Coventry City (ENG) 20 Position breakdown for USMNT 2026 World Cup roster Goalkeepers Locks: Matt Freese In the mix: Chris Brady, Jonathan Klinsmann, Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner On the outside: Drake Callender, Roman Celentano, Ethan Horvath, Diego Kochen Matt Turner had been the incumbent goalkeeper since breaking into the squad at the 2021 Gold Cup, and was the starter at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, after moving back from Europe to MLS in an effort to find more game time, his spot has been challenged by Matt Freese who himself has been a favorite of Pochettino since his selection at the 2025 Gold Cup.
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