The energy around the 2026 World Cup is getting kind of ridiculous. We’re finally in the actual year of the tournament, and for the first time in a generation, the United States isn’t just showing up to participate. They’re hosting. They’ve got a world-class manager in Mauricio Pochettino. And honestly? The battle for the final spots on the USA roster soccer world cup is turning into a total dogfight.
If you thought the roster was a lock, you haven’t been paying attention to how Poch has been shaking things up since he took over. He doesn’t care about your resume from three years ago. He cares about how you’re playing right now in the Championship or Serie A.
The Locks: The Guys Booking Their Hotels Already
Let’s be real. There are a handful of players who could probably skip the friendlies and still be the first names on the team sheet. Christian Pulisic is the obvious one. He’s been on a tear with AC Milan, and even with a few minor injury scares in late 2025, he’s the undisputed leader. If the US is going to make a run to the semifinals—which, by the way, some experts are actually predicting—it’s going to be on his back.
Then you’ve got the "MMA" midfield, though it looks a bit different these days. Tyler Adams is still the emotional heartbeat of the group, even if his hamstrings have been a nightmare. Weston McKennie is basically the Swiss Army knife. Need him in a pivot? Done. Want him crashing the box? He’s there. Pochettino has even experimented with him in a wider role, almost like a wingback, which shows how much he trusts the guy’s engine.
Chris Richards was just named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year. That tells you everything you need to know about who is anchoring that defense. He’s become the vocal leader Poch needs at the back, especially as we see a shift toward a three-man backline that looks more like a 3-4-2-1 on paper but plays like a chaotic, high-pressing swarm in reality.
The Pochettino Effect: Tactical Shifts and New Faces
One thing that’s been super interesting to watch is how the USA roster soccer world cup is evolving under this new coaching staff. Pochettino’s right-hand man, Jesus Perez, has been talking a lot about how they’re stealing ideas from club coaches. They literally went to Milan to ask how to get more out of Pulisic. That kind of humility is fresh. It’s also lead to some "weird" call-ups that have actually worked.
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Take Max Arfsten, for example. A year ago, most casual fans hadn't even heard of him. Now? He’s essentially a lock as a wingback option. He’s got this crazy work rate that fits the Argentine’s "suffer and run" mentality perfectly.
The Goalkeeper Crisis (Or Lack Thereof)
For years, it was Matt Turner or bust. But Turner’s lack of consistent minutes in Europe has opened the door wide. Matt Freese has been making a massive case for himself, and Patrick Schulte is right there with him. Honestly, don't be shocked if Freese is the one standing between the sticks when the US kicks off against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12.
The Midfield Scramble
This is where it gets messy. You’ve got guys like Yunus Musah and Johnny Cardoso who are "supposed" to be in the squad, but their club form has been up and down. Meanwhile, Sebastian Berhalter—yeah, that Berhalter—has been lights out on set pieces for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Poch loves a specialist. If you can put a ball on a dime from a corner, you’ve got a seat on the plane.
Then there's Diego Luna. He’s basically become the coach's favorite project. He’s creative, he’s brave on the ball, and he scored against Uruguay in that 5-1 thrashing back in November. He provides a spark that the more "industrial" midfielders just don't have.
The Bubble: Who’s Sweating Right Now?
The increase to a 26-man roster is a lifesaver for some veterans. Tim Ream is 38 years old. In any other era, he’d be watching this from a broadcast booth. But his "dad energy" and composure in a three-back system have made him indispensable. Pochettino values that veteran presence to keep the young guys from spiraling when the pressure of a home World Cup hits.
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On the other side of that coin, you have guys like Brenden Aaronson. He’s been great for Leeds, but the competition in the attacking midfield spots is just brutal. He’s fighting with Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna for minutes. Speaking of Reyna, he finally seems to be out of the doghouse. He looked sharp in the October window, and if he stays healthy (a huge "if"), he’s the kind of player who changes a game in 15 minutes.
The Forward Battle: Who Starts Up Top?
This is the question everyone asks. Folarin Balogun or Ricardo Pepi?
It’s the classic debate. Balogun has the pedigree and the Ligue 1 goals. Pepi has that "right place, right time" instinct that you can't teach. Right now, it feels like Balogun is the preferred starter, but Haji Wright is lurking. Wright’s versatility—the fact that he can play as a traditional nine or drift out wide—is exactly what Pochettino wants for his bench.
And let's not ignore Patrick Agyemang. He’s been a physical menace in the Championship. If the US is down a goal in the 80th minute and needs to just start lobbing balls into the box, he’s the guy you want.
Why Group D is a Trap
The draw was supposedly "easy." Australia, Paraguay, and a playoff winner (likely Türkiye or Slovakia).
On paper? Great.
In reality? These are teams that love to sit deep and counter.
The USA roster soccer world cup needs to be built for breaking down low blocks, not just track meets. That’s why players like Tillman and Reyna are so vital. If the squad is too heavy on "runners" and light on "passers," the US could find themselves in a lot of 0-0 frustraton-fests.
Pochettino has been preaching "belief" and "spirit," but he’s also a tactician who will cut a favorite if they don't fit the specific game plan for Paraguay. Every game is a final. That's his mantra.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to track how this roster is going to shake out over the next few months, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the March Window: The friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta are going to be the final "audition" for the bubble players. If a player doesn't get minutes there, they're probably out.
- Monitor Club Minutes: Poch has been crystal clear—if you aren't playing for your club, you aren't playing for him. Keep an eye on the guys in the Championship (Haji Wright, George Campbell) and those fighting for spots in Serie A (Yunus Musah).
- Check the Health of the 3-Back System: If the US struggles defensively in the spring friendlies, Poch might revert to a traditional 4-3-3, which completely changes which defenders (like Joe Scally vs. Max Arfsten) make the cut.
- Look at Set Piece Stats: Since Sebastian Berhalter and Malik Tillman are competing for similar roles, the guy with the better delivery on dead balls likely wins the 26th spot.
The roster announcement is coming sooner than you think. By the time the "Send-Off" match against Germany happens at Soldier Field on June 6, the hierarchy will be set. Until then, every weekend in Europe and every MLS preseason match is a high-stakes trial.
The 2026 squad is likely the deepest we've ever seen. But depth doesn't win trophies—execution does. Pochettino has the talent; now he just has to pick the right 26 personalities to handle the most pressurized summer in the history of American soccer.
Keep an eye on the injury reports through April. That’s usually when the "locks" start to get nervous. If the core stays healthy, this group has a legitimate shot at the quarterfinals or beyond. If not, it’s a long way down.