Inside USA's World Cup roster 2026: Pulisic leads host nation as Pochettino selects USMNT squad

Led by Christian Pulisic and the "golden generation" of American players, 26 players will don the stars and stripes to help the USMNT push for a deep run into the competition. With the home field advantage, the United States will be targeting their first quarterfinal appearance since 2002 and second ever in the modern World Cup era. A deep run in the competition could potentially see soccer in the United States make a never-before-seen leap into the upper echelon of global football powers, but a disappointment could conversely condemn the sport to second-rate in the country.

The Sporting News has all the key details on USA's World Cup squad below. 2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets USA World Cup roster 2026 Mauricio Pochettino is set to officially name his final squad on Tuesday, May 26. Teams had until Monday, May 11 to submit to FIFA an official preliminary list of 35-55 players, from which they are required to name a final roster by Saturday, May 30.

Below is a predicted list of 26 players anticipated to be named to the USA rosterer, based on The Guardian's report which included what they claim to be the final, official roster. Caps and stats are correct as of May 14. MORE: Why Gio Reyna was right to be selected to the USMNT World Cup roster Pos Name Club Caps GK Matt Freese NYCFC (USA) 14 GK Chris Brady Chicago Fire 0 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 Mark McKenzie Toulouse (FRA) 27 DEF Tim Ream Charlotte FC (USA) 80 DEF Chris Richards Crystal Palace (ENG) 36 DEF Antonee Robinson Fulham (ENG) 52 DEF Miles Robinson FC Cincinnati (USA) 38 DEF Joe Scally Borussia Monchengladbach (GER) 24 DEF Auston Trusty Celtic (SCO) 5 MID Brenden Aaronson Leeds United (ENG) 57 MID Tyler Adams Bournemouth (ENG) 52 MID Sebastian Berhalter Vancouver Whitecaps (CAN) 11 MID Gio Reyna Borussia Monchengladbach (GER) 36 MID Weston McKennie Juventus (ITA) 64 MID Cristian Roldan Seattle Sounders (USA) 45 MID Malik Tillman Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 28 MID Alejandro Zendejas Club America (MEX) 13 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 USA World Cup qualifying results As one of the hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States qualified automatically for the competition alongside fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico.

None of the three hosts were required to compete in CONCACAF qualification, as three other North and Central American sides reached the tournament. USA World Cup history The best finish for the United States at a World Cup was their third-place finish in the very first edition of the competition back in 1930. However, their best result at a modern World Cup is reaching the quarterfinals, which they have done just once back in 2002 by beating Mexico in the Round of 16.