We believe this is the group of 26 best players to help us achieve success at the World Cup. These are very difficult decisions, and we are grateful to all the players who have accompanied us on this journey. The selected players are very focused and ready to dedicate themselves to representing the US team and bringing performances that make fans and the country proud," Pochettino said.
At the 2026 World Cup, the US team is in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. The co-host team will have 2 friendly matches against Senegal and Germany before entering the official matches at the World Cup.
Many familiar factors
Among the 26 selected players, there are 13 players - half of the squad - who have participated in the US team at the 2022 World Cup, equaling the record for the most players returning between two consecutive World Cups, a record first set between 1994 and 1998. Veterans who played in Qatar 4 years ago include three goalscorers: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.
The eight players on the 2022 FIFA World Cup roster started all four matches: Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Matt Turner and Weah.
The full list of players named in the World Cup squad twice in a row includes: Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Cristian Roldan, Joe Scally, Matt Turner, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.
Attack power
The US team's attack entered the World Cup with a remarkable scoring record at their club, with the trio Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright together scoring 56 goals in all competitions this season. Balogun (19 goals in 43 matches) had a 9-game scoring streak for Monaco in the second half of the season.
Pepi (19 goals in 34 matches) led PSV Eindhoven's scoring list despite a mid-season injury that forced him to miss 9 matches, helping the club win the Dutch Eredivisie title for the third consecutive time. Haji Wright (18 goals in 43 matches) helped Coventry City top the League Championship standings and win direct promotion to the Premier League.
Some notable statistics
With 84 caps for the national team, Christian Pulisic is the most experienced player in the squad, followed by other 2022 World Cup veterans such as Tim Ream (80), Weston McKennie (64), Brenden Aaronson (57), Matt Turner (53), Tyler Adams (52), Antonee Robinson (52) and Tim Weah (49).
The players represent clubs in 10 different countries: USA/Canada - MLS (8), England (5), France (3), Germany (3), Italy (2), Netherlands (2), Mexico (1), Scotland (1) and Spain (1).
Sebastian Berhalter followed in his father's footsteps, Gregg (2002, 2006), when he won a spot in the national team to participate in the World Cup. The Berhalter father and son became the second father and son pair to join the World Cup squad, after Claudio Reyna (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006) and Gio Reyna (2022, 2026).
US national team squad for World Cup 2026
Chris Brady (Chicago), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England).
Max Arfsten (Columbus), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic).
Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Gio Reyna (Monchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen).
Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Olympique Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Alex Zendejas (Club America).
