Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie will lead the United States at the 2026 World Cup after head coach Mauricio Pochettino released the 26-man roster for a tournament the Americans hope will produce a deep run on home soil.
The squad is divided evenly between 13 World Cup rookies and 13 players who competed in the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where the US reached the Round of 16. That group includes three US goal-scorers from Qatar: Pulisic, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.
“We believe this is the best group of 26 players to help us achieve success at the World Cup,” Pochettino said in a statement. “These were extremely difficult decisions, and we are grateful to all the players who have been part of this journey. This group is very focused and ready to give everything they have to represent the United States and put on performances that will make the fans and the country proud.”
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan, remains the team’s most recognizable player, while Adams, the 2022 squad captain, brings mobility and versatility to the midfield after a season with Bournemouth in the Premier League.
AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun is expected to compete for the lead striker role if the US uses Pochettino’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation and could emerge as one of the team’s key attacking figures this summer.
Gio Reyna was called up despite limited playing time this season at Borussia Moenchengladbach, providing another creative option in attack for the US. Alejandro Zendejas earned a spot after finishing an impressive season with Club America in Liga MX, though he was left off the squad in March.
Notable absentees include the injured Diego Luna and Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann.
The US is co-hosting the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada. It is the first time the nation has hosted the global football festival since 1994. McKennie said the team has a chance to inspire a new generation of US fans. “This is a great opportunity for everyone on the squad and for fans who might not know much about soccer in the US to feel the passion,” he said at the roster unveiling event in Manhattan. “I hope we can make people fall in love with the sport here and maybe etch our names into the history books.”
The US will open their Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
US World Cup roster:
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Matt Turner
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan
Attacking midfielders/ Wingers: Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
