USMNT 2026 World Cup Roster: The Biggest Surprises
The U.S. Men’s National Team’s reported 2026 World Cup roster is here, and Mauricio Pochettino has made one thing clear: this is not just a “best résumé” squad. It is a “right 26” squad. Back in March, U.S. Soccer framed the selection process around cutting a pool of more than 70 players down to 26, with Pochettino emphasizing that every spot was still open.
The reported roster, obtained by The Guardian and echoed by Reuters, includes familiar stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, and Matt Turner. But the real story is not the obvious names. It is the players who squeezed in, and the players left watching from home.
Surprising inclusion: Alejandro Zendejas
Alejandro Zendejas may be the most interesting attacking selection. On form, the case is strong: Reuters reports he had 12 goals and seven assists for Club América this season. But his USMNT role has been limited, and The Guardian notes that Pochettino had given him only 139 minutes across six appearances, with his most recent shift coming back in September against Japan.
That makes Zendejas feel less like a continuity pick and more like a late tactical bet. Pochettino appears to want directness, wide attacking depth, and players who can change games even if they are not locked-in starters.
Surprising inclusion: Gio Reyna
Gio Reyna’s inclusion is both understandable and risky. The talent has never been the question. The question is availability, form, and fit. The Guardian reports that Reyna played only 520 minutes for Borussia Mönchengladbach this season, while Reuters notes his limited club production and the lingering controversy from the 2022 World Cup cycle.
Still, Reyna gives the U.S. something rare: a true creative passer who can unlock a packed defense. For a host nation trying to make a deep run, Pochettino may have decided that Reyna’s upside was worth the risk.
Surprising inclusion: Sebastian Berhalter
Sebastian Berhalter is another fascinating pick. His name carries obvious baggage because he is the son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, but this selection is not just about familiarity. The Guardian points to his development with the Vancouver Whitecaps, his MLS Best XI season, and his value as a dead-ball specialist.
That last point matters. In tournament soccer, set pieces can decide games. Berhalter’s inclusion suggests Pochettino is thinking not only about starters, but about specific match situations.
Biggest omission: Tanner Tessmann
Tanner Tessmann’s exclusion is the biggest shock. Reuters reports he had been viewed by many as a potential starter, had participated in six camps under Pochettino, and started 22 of 29 Ligue 1 games for Lyon before a muscle strain in May.
This is especially surprising because the midfield group looks thin. The Guardian notes that the roster includes only four central or defensive midfielders: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter, and Cristian Roldan.
If Adams is fully healthy, the U.S. midfield can still function. But leaving Tessmann out removes size, range, and another European-tested option from the center of the field.
Biggest omission: Diego Luna
Diego Luna’s omission may be the one that fans feel most emotionally. Luna had become one of the breakout stories of the cycle, praised for his energy, edge, and two-way aggression. The Guardian reports that he scored four goals in 17 appearances in 2025 and had returned to strong MLS form with four goals and two assists in seven appearances since April 1.
Reuters also notes Luna’s four goals and four assists in 18 appearances since his USMNT debut under Pochettino.
His omission is even more striking because he had been visible in promotional pushes ahead of the tournament. But roster selection is not marketing. Pochettino appears to have prioritized a different mix of attacking profiles, even if that means leaving out one of the team’s most exciting young players.
What this roster tells us
This USMNT roster is built around experience in the spine, speed in wide areas, and defensive depth. It includes 10 defenders, three strikers, and a relatively lean midfield.
That balance says a lot. Pochettino may be preparing for a World Cup where the U.S. needs to survive difficult stretches, defend leads, and win games through transitions and set pieces. The roster is not without risk. The midfield could look light. Reyna’s fitness and form will be watched closely. And leaving out Tessmann and Luna gives critics obvious talking points.
But every World Cup roster is a statement. This one says Pochettino is not simply rewarding form. He is choosing roles, tools, and tournament-specific solutions.
For the USMNT, the question now is simple: did he pick the best 26 players, or the right 26?
