FIFA World Cup 2026: Pulisic, McKennie lead USA's 26-man squad
Synopsis
Pochettino has picked a squad that balances World Cup-hardened veterans with 13 first-timers — on home soil, no less. Pulisic leads with 84 caps, half the roster has Qatar experience, and a goalkeeping contest is already brewing. The US open against Paraguay on 12 June in Los Angeles, carrying the weight of a nation hosting the biggest sporting event in history.
Key Takeaways
Mauricio Pochettino named a 26-man USA squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 on 27 May .
Christian Pulisic (84 caps, AC Milan ) is the most experienced player; Weston McKennie (64 caps, Juventus ) anchors midfield.
13 players return from the 2022 Qatar World Cup , equalling the US record for most returnees between consecutive tournaments.
13 players will make their World Cup debut, including Folarin Balogun , Ricardo Pepi , and Malik Tillman .
USA open their campaign against Paraguay on 12 June in Los Angeles (Group D).
Pre-tournament friendlies: Senegal on 31 May in Charlotte; Germany on 6 June in Chicago.
Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie headline the 26-man United States squad named by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The roster was confirmed on 27 May, with the Americans set to open their campaign in Group D against Paraguay on 12 June in Los Angeles.
Key Names in the Squad
Pulisic, the AC Milan attacking star, leads the roster with 84 international caps — the most of any player in the selection. He scored a goal and registered two assists at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, making him the side's most accomplished finals performer. McKennie, the versatile Juventus midfielder with 64 caps, will anchor the centre of the park.
Also included is Gio Reyna, the technically gifted attacking midfielder who struggled for club minutes at Borussia Mönchengladbach but retains Pochettino's confidence for his playmaking ability. Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi feature among the forwards, offering depth and clinical threat up front.
Continuity and Experience
Thirteen of the 26 players — exactly half the roster — were part of the US squad at Qatar 2022, equalling the country's record for most returnees between consecutive World Cups, a mark first set between the 1994 and 1998 editions. The Qatar veterans include all three of the team's scorers from that tournament: Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Haji Wright.
Other experienced returnees include Tim Ream (80 caps), Brenden Aaronson (57), Matt Turner (53), Tyler Adams (52), Antonee Robinson (52), and Tim Weah (49).
First-Timers on the Biggest Stage
Thirteen players will make their FIFA World Cup debut: Max Arfsten, Folarin Balogun, Sebastian Berhalter, Chris Brady, Alex Freeman, Matt Freese, Mark McKenzie, Ricardo Pepi, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Malik Tillman, Auston Trusty, and Alejandro Zendejas.
Goalkeeping Battle
Between the posts, Matt Freese and Matt Turner are set to compete for the No. 1 jersey. Freese's strong showing at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup reportedly makes him the frontrunner heading into the tournament.
Pre-Tournament Schedule and Full Squad
The squad is currently in Atlanta for final preparations. The US will host Senegal on 31 May at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, before a sold-out send-off match against Germany on 6 June in Chicago, Illinois.
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, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Haji Wright, Alejandro Zendejas
With the World Cup being staged on home soil for the first time since 1994, the pressure and expectation on this squad will be unlike anything previous US generations faced. How Pochettino's blend of experience and fresh blood holds up from 12 June onwards will define a generation of American football.
Point of View
Which reduces risk but also limits the upside of a generational reset. The real gamble is Gio Reyna: a player of rare ability who has consistently underdelivered at club level. On home soil, with the pressure amplified, Pochettino needs Reyna to finally perform when it counts. The goalkeeping situation is also unresolved, which is an unusual uncertainty to carry into a tournament the US is co-hosting and expected to advance deep in.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in the USA squad for FIFA World Cup 2026?
The 26-man squad named by coach Mauricio Pochettino includes Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Alejandro Zendejas among others. Goalkeepers are Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and Matt Turner.
When and where does the USA play their first World Cup 2026 match?
The United States open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Paraguay on 12 June in Los Angeles, in Group D. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
How many USA players are returning from the 2022 World Cup?
Thirteen players from the Qatar 2022 squad have been retained, equalling the US record for most returnees between consecutive World Cups — a mark first set between the 1994 and 1998 editions. They include all three scorers from Qatar: Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Haji Wright.
Who is the most experienced player in the USA World Cup 2026 squad?
Christian Pulisic leads the squad with 84 international caps, making him the most experienced player in the selection. He is followed by Tim Ream (80 caps) and Weston McKennie (64 caps).
What are the USA's warm-up matches before the World Cup 2026?
The US will play Senegal on 31 May at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and then host Germany in a sold-out send-off match on 6 June in Chicago, Illinois, before the tournament begins.
