USMNT's Not-So-Secret Santa

United States Men’s National Soccer Team Roster Announced for FIFA World Cup 2026: A Look at the 26 Players Who Will Represent the US in the Upcoming Tournament

New York (AP) – The United States men’s national soccer team has announced its roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, with coach Mauricio Pochettino selecting 26 players to represent the country in the tournament. The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at a press conference held at Pier 17 in New York City.

The team is led by captain Christian Pulisic, who will be playing in his third World Cup for the US. Other notable players include defender Tim Ream, midfielder Gio Reyna, and forward Alejandro Zendejas.

Ream, who was filled with anxiety before receiving the news of being selected to the roster, said that it made him stop on his tracks when he heard from Sam Zapata, the U.S. national team administrative manager. He recalled saying to himself, “It is because you are in.” Ream added that he hopes to become the oldest US player to appear in soccer’s top tournament.

Meanwhile, midfielder Gio Reyna and forward Alejandro Zendejas were both selected for their first World Cup appearances. Reyna, a son of former US captain Claudio Reyna, was nearly sent home from the 2022 World Cup by then-coach Gregg Berhalter for lack of hustle and made just four starts this season for Borussia Mönchengladbach – none since Dec. 19.

The team has an average age of 26 years, 332 days as of the US opener on June 12, making it the fifth-youngest American World Cup roster in history. The youngest player on the roster is Alex Freeman, a son of former Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, who will be 21 years old on the day of the US opener.

The team also includes four players from Major League Soccer (MLS), with eight players from European clubs and three each from Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1. Pochettino has stated that he is eager to get started with his team, saying, “What do you want to talk about? I don’t want to hear nothing.”

The US national team will begin their World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12.

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The following are some of the most notable reactions from readers:

I bleed claret and cobalt and was super disappointed for Luna and Gozo. No worries, though. They will make it across the pond.

Respect to these dudes on their accomplishment but I want them to be knocked out as quickly as possible. I hope that they play bad intentionally to embarrass the orange dictator.

Please let England win! It has been too long (since before I was born) and they have been so close! Might actually have a shot this time!!

Freese is a solid GK and fantastic dealing in PKs. Reyna...sure hope he got his attitude turned around from last WC and still don’t get him making the cut given the limited minutes he’s been getting in league play and his match fitness isn’t there at the league level so how can he be effective at the WC final stage?

Overall, I’ve very curious how the reffing will be throughout the final and if/when VAR will be used with the integration of AI. The second yellow card VAR is huge...but is the ref, who may already be hotheaded and already given out the second yellow card, going to elect to go to the screen and review the footage of his own call and override themselves? Highly doubt it and will likely see a gesture of waving off additional review.

This would likely have that ref pulled from future knockout round matches...but the damage may already have been done and outcome of match decided.

Lastly, with the change in Law 12 (DOGSO/SPA)...just not understanding why the change. IF the defender fouls the attacking player, a professional foul in attempt as a last chance to stop a shot on goal, and the fouled player ultimately overcomes the challenge and still finds a way to score the goa; sure it was professional foul all day long...a foul that was always a yellow card...why not still give the yellow card because it was a professional foul even if they did it poorly and didn’t fully take the player out and a goal resulted. Just because a goal was scored didn't negate the fact that a professional foul was committed IMO.