NEW YORK — The excitement is building as the U.S. men’s national soccer team finalizes its roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer. The announcement of the 26 players has intensified anticipation among fans and players alike.
This year’s lineup features well-known stars like Christian Pulisic of AC Milan, Tyler Adams from Bournemouth, and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. A notable addition is Alejandro Zendejas, who plays for Mexico’s Club América. His inclusion raised eyebrows, especially since he had limited action under coach Mauricio Pochettino and hadn’t appeared for the U.S. since last September.
Some familiar faces will not be in the squad, with Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann and fan-favorite Diego Luna from Real Salt Lake left out due to injuries. They were expected to be key players but did not recover in time.
Since taking the helm in 2024, Pochettino has tested different lineups to find the right mix. He expressed confidence in this squad, saying, “These were very difficult decisions, and we are thankful to all the players who were part of this journey.” His focus is on building a team that can perform well and make fans proud.
Interestingly, half of this squad competed in the last World Cup in Qatar, including the three players who scored goals: Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Haji Wright. Meanwhile, 13 players will be stepping onto the World Cup stage for the first time. Among them is Ricardo Pepi, who missed out in 2022 and is eager to prove himself this time.
As the tournament approaches, it’s noteworthy that this World Cup will be hosted in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, marking the first time since 1994 that matches are held on American soil. That last tournament sparked a significant interest in soccer in the U.S., leading to the establishment of Major League Soccer and more youth involvement in the sport.
The tournament begins in just over two weeks, with matches spread across 16 cities. Fans are looking forward to what promises to be an unforgettable event.
Full USMNT World Cup Roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Defenders (10): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Midfielders (4): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Attackers (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marseille), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)
Strikers (3): Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
The U.S. team is poised for a competitive run in the tournament, hoping to make a mark that resonates with fans and players alike. Stay tuned for what lies ahead!
