Predicting the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Roster After March Friendlies

Mauricio Pochettino has some big decisions to make after painful defeats to Belgium and Portugal.

Which players will make the 26-man U.S. men’s national team for the 2026 World Cup? | Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images

With the 2026 World Cup just months away, U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has some difficult roster decisions to make in the coming weeks.

While his group of players found success at the end of 2025, with four wins in a run of five undefeated games, they were brought back to reality in the March international window. First, it was a humbling 5–2 defeat to Belgium, followed by a 2–0 loss to Portugal in front of over 110,000 combined fans over the two games in Atlanta.

With those results and now a Group D schedule against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye, the focus will be on selecting a team that can win the group and set up for a lengthy World Cup run.

Unlike some countries, the USMNT won’t use the June pre-World Cup friendly window to make final cuts. Instead, Pochettino—who admitted that he had never cut a player from a team in the way he will need to—is avoiding the emotion of last-minute decisions by naming the final team in May, barring injury setbacks.

Here, Sports Illustrated predicts the 26 players that will make the Argentine’s roster.

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Jump to:

1. Rules of Engagement
2. Goalkeepers
3. Center Backs
4. Wingbacks/Fullbacks
5. Midfielders
6. Wingers
7. Strikers
8. USMNT Projected 2026 World Cup Roster in Full

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Rules of Engagement

Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT faces tough roster decisions. | Omar Vega/Getty Images

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Allotted Players: 26

After using a 3-4-3 for much of the fall, Pochettino reverted to a 4-2-3-1 against Belgium and a 4-3-3 against Portugal, marking a noted return to the way he clearly wants his team to play — even though the current squad has enjoyed better results in a different shape.

Given his mixed style this window, we’re going to base our prediction on a 4-2-3-1.

As well, only 26 players can make the cut; we're not including alternates. We landed on choices based on positional needs, recent performances and talent. All player names have been listed alphabetically.

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Goalkeepers

Matt Freese was given the higher-ranked opponent in the March window. | Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

Player	Team	Caps
Chris Brady	Chicago Fire	0
Matt Freese	New York City FC	13
Matt Turner	New England Revolution	53

New York City FC’s Matt Freese entered the March window as the assumed starter, given he had been the USMNT’s backstop for every match through 2025, following the Concacaf Nations League fourth-place finish.

This window saw him face the higher-ranked opponent. He made three saves against Portugal and was left with little chance to stop Francisco Trincão’s counterattack goal, while the players in front of him didn’t do their jobs from a corner in the lead up to João Felix scoring the game sealer.

The New England Revolution’s Matt Turner had seemingly relinquished the starting role after his form dipped in the Nations League, but he put together a solid performance for much of the game against Belgium. At times, he struggled to distribute— partly due to the kit clash—but he did okay with a five-save effort. Simply by playing, it means he’s still very much in contention, even as his form dips in MLS.

As for the third goalkeeper spot, it’s a race between Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte and Chicago Fire FC’s Chris Brady. The latter, just 21 years old, gets the nod from us, gaining World Cup experience ahead of potentially becoming USMNT’s first choice in the future.

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Center Backs

Chris Richards is the USMNT’s most calming defensive presence. | Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

Player	Team	Caps
Mark McKenzie	Toulouse	26
Tim Ream	Charlotte FC	80
Chris Richards	Crystal Palace	35
Miles Robinson	FC Cincinnati	38
Auston Trusty	Celtic FC	5

Chris Richards is undoubtedly the top choice center back heading into the World Cup, having asserted himself as a bona fide Premier League star and standout in the national team picture.

The Crystal Palace defender only faced Portugal in March due to a knee issue that forced him out of a training session and the Belgium match. Despite the loss, his command of an ever-changing backline brought stability in an otherwise chaotic defensive setup.

If the system is a back three, expect him in the middle. Wheras a back four, he would line up on the right side of the center back partnership.

Despite some recent struggles, Charlotte FC’s Tim Ream is also a likely lock for the team and an expected starter, whereas Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty and potentially German-American dual-national Noahkai Banks will battle for the third center back role.

Alex Freeman, traditionally a right back, could also play a role should the team stick with a back three.

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Wingbacks/Fullbacks

Antonee Robinson returned to the USMNT picture in March. | Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Player	Team	Caps
Max Arfsten	Columbus Crew	17
Sergiño Dest	PSV Eindhoven	37
Alex Freeman	Orlando City	14
Antonee Robinson	Fulham	51

The fullback positions might just be set, barring injury.

Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and PSV Eindhoven’s Sergiño Dest will be favored to start as either wingbacks or fullbacks, regardless of formation. CF Villarreal’s Freeman has also shown he can play the right center back role, or as a right wingback, while Columbus’ Max Arfsten is the understudy to Robinson’s left side spot.

With Dest unavailable for the most recent camp, it offered a strong change to see both Freeman and Tim Weah—the versatile right-side player—in the right back role, with Freeman putting in an impressive performance against Portugal as a more defensively focused option.

Outside of those four, who appear to all be locks, the versatile Joe Scally could draw into the picture with some strong end-of-season form with his club Borussia Mönchengladbach, while John Tolkin could be an outside shot, having played in the 5–1 win over Uruguay in November

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Midfielders

Weston McKennie scored against Belgium in the March friendlies. | Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images

Player	Team	Caps
Tyler Adams	Bournemouth	52
Sebastian Berhalter	Vancouver Whitecaps	10
Johnny Cardoso	Atlético Madrid	22
Weston McKennie	Juventus	63
Gio Reyna	Borussia Mönchengladbach	35
Cristian Roldan	Seattle Sounders	44
Tanner Tessmann	Lyon	13
Malik Tillman	Bayer Leverkusen	27

Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams missed out on the October, November and March camps with separate injuries, but remains the USMNT’s most consistent midfielder and will be a key part of the World Cup roster. Expect him to wear the captain’s armband as well.

Juventus star Weston McKennie is also likely to be a locked-in starter, even if his versatility means his role remains undefined heading into the final roster decisions. Through the season with Juventus, he has played nearly every role outside of goalkeeper, and that versatility — and the qualities he shows — is a vital piece of any World Cup campaign.

Malik Tillman will crack the squad as he enjoys a standout season with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and showed well during the 2025 Gold Cup and fall windows, as well as in a strong showing against Belgium, where he created three chances as a central midfielder.

Tanner Tessmann is also poised to make the team after a strong November window, which he translated to March. With a skillset favored by Pohcettino in either formation, not making the roster would be a surprise at this point for the Lyon midfielder.

Behind them, Gio Reyna is likely on this team as well. Despite only playing 26 minutes of club soccer in 2026 heading into the March camp, Pochettino still awarded him minutes and it's evident that his sheer talents on the ball entice the coaching staff, despite his lack of playing time.

From MLS, Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter and Seattle Sounders’ Cristian Roldan should serve as bench options, especially given Berhalter’s set-piece ability and impressive performances with Vancouver through the past two seasons.

Atlético Madrid's Johnny Cardoso has enjoyed more regular playing time as of late, but has still not impressed while playing for the USMNT. He might be the final roster spot, with the hope that he can find his form in the Stars and Stripes.

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Wingers

Christian Pulisic failed to influence the game against Belgium and Portugal. | Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

Player	Position	Team	Caps
Brendan Aaronson	RW/LW	Leeds United	56
Christian Pulisic	LW	AC Milan	83
Tim Weah	RW	Marseille	48

If the U.S. is to succeed at the World Cup, Christian Pulisic is likely to play the biggest role. He’s the most significant difference maker and the best player on the team when he is in form.

If the USMNT is to shock the world, Pulisic is likely to be the attacking catalyst. The best teams often lean on strong performances from their best players, and that’s what Pulisic is to the USMNT.

Utilized primarily as a second striker for AC Milan, Pochettino appears set on using him as a winger for the USMNT. Might that change in the June friendlies? It’s a possibility. Yet, the most important factor in team selection will be making sure it works to get the best out of Pulisic, which in turn, gets the best from the team.

The March window didn’t offer much inspiration, though. The 27-year-old mustered no shots on target over the two games, struggling to find himself in dangerous areas as either a striker against Portugal or on the wing against Belgium. By the end of the window, his goalless skid extended to 15 games with club and country, a far cry from the confident and productive play he showed earlier in the 2025–26 season.

“We are USA,” Pochettino said after the Portugal loss, in an indirect dig at Pulisic. “We are competing against Belgium, Portugal. I think for sure Belgium and Portugal have in the top 100 players, a few or some, players playing in that top 100. I think we don’t have. That is why it’s good to play against these types of teams.”

Outside of Pulisic, Weah has enjoyed a stellar campaign with Marseille and can play anywhere on the right side, while Aaronson, who hit a hot run of form early in the 2025–26 Premier League season with Leeds United, is still enjoying the best campaign of his career.

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Strikers

Folarin Balogun is the top striker option for the USMNT. | Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Player	Team	Caps
Folarin Balogun	Monaco	24
Ricardo Pepi	PSV Eindhoven	35
Haji Wright	Coventry City	20

The USMNT has a bevy of talent at striker—but will likely only take three to the World Cup—and for the first time in a generation, has difference-makers to lead the line.

Enjoying a standout season with AS Monaco, with goals across Ligue 1 and the Champions League, Folarin Balogun remains the top choice for the USMNT heading into the spring, even after not being as clinical as hoped in the March window.

Behind him, PSV’s Ricardo Pepi likely takes the second spot given his form in the Netherlands—form that has seen Premier League side Fulham attempt to conclude a transfer. Still recovering from a broken arm while playing, his call-up to the March squad puts him in a strong position, despite limited usage.

It’s the third and likely final striker role that will come under the biggest question. Haji Wright, who has been near the top of the English Championship Golden Boot race all season, picked up a groin injury and wasn’t able to join the USMNT in March.

That gave Pochettino a chance to see his fellow Championship striker, Patrick Agyemang, who scored against Belgium, certainly elevating his case. Yet, we're still projecting Wright to take the role if healthy, considering he has outperformed Agyemang against the same opposition.

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USMNT Projected 2026 World Cup Roster in Full

Goalkeepers

• Chris Brady (Chicago Fire, 0 caps)
• Matt Freese (New York City FC, 13 caps)
• Matt Turner (New England Revolution, 53 caps)

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Center Backs

• Mark McKenzie (Toulouse, 26 caps)
• Tim Ream (Charlotte FC, 80 caps)
• Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, 38 caps)
• Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati, 35 caps)
• Auston Trusty (Celtic, 5 caps)

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Full Backs / Wing Backs

• Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew, 17 caps)
• Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven, 37 caps)
• Alex Freeman (Villarreal, 14 caps)
• Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 51 caps)

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Midfielders

• Tyler Adams (Bournemouth, 52 caps)
• Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps, 10 caps)
• Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid, 22 caps)
• Weston McKennie (Juventus, 63 caps)
• Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 35 caps)
• Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders, 44 caps)
• Tanner Tessmann (Lyon, 13 caps)
• Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen, 27 caps)

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Wingers / Strikers

• Brendan Aaronson (Leeds United, 56 caps)
• Christian Pulisic (AC Milan, 83 caps)
• Tim Weah (Lyon, 48 caps)
• Folarin Balogun (Monaco, 24 caps)
• Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven, 35 caps)
• Haji Wright (Coventry City, 20 caps)

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