SouthernWorldwide.com – As the clock ticks down to the USA’s finalized 26-man World Cup roster, set for release on May 26, questions surrounding player selections are intensifying. Among those whose inclusion remains uncertain is forward Gio Reyna.
Rob Stone, a prominent figure at FOX Sports, shared his perspective during the weekly “World Cup Wednesday” segment on the show First Things First. He expressed reservations about Reyna securing a spot on the team for the upcoming summer tournament.
“I had high hopes that Gio Reyna would be the star for the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup,” Stone stated. “I thought that was going to be his breakout moment. Turned out really kind of breaking up the USMNT. Does he deserve to be on this team? I’d say no.”
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Reyna was part of the 2022 World Cup squad that reached the round of 16, ultimately losing to the Netherlands with a score of 3-1. However, his contribution to the team’s performance during their brief tournament run was limited. Across four matches, Reyna accumulated only 52 minutes of playing time, with seven minutes against Wales and 45 minutes against the Netherlands.
In the lead-up to this summer’s roster announcement, Reyna’s recent club performances with Borussia Mönchengladbach have not positioned him as a clear frontrunner for a place. In 19 appearances for the club, he has managed to score just one goal and provide one assist.
Despite a recent 3-1 loss, Reyna did find the back of the net in his last Bundesliga campaign match against Augsburg. However, this single goal, while a positive sign, comes as Reyna’s roster spot is being contended by other talented forwards such as Timothy Weah, Malik Tillman, and Alejandro Zendeas.
Stone emphasized that Reyna is not entirely out of contention, but his inclusion is far from guaranteed. “Will he be on this team? I think he’s got about a 30% chance to be on it because of this potential, that maybe he could do something for the U.S. men’s national team this summer,” Stone remarked. “But, he hasn’t earned it on the field because he hasn’t earned playing time with his club back in Germany. I’m alright if he’s not on the roster.”
FOX Sports is set to present its most extensive World Cup production and broadcast schedule to date. From June 11 through July 19, 2026, all 104 matches will be broadcast live across FOX (69 games) and FS1 (35 games). Additionally, every match will be available for live streaming on FOX One and the FOX Sports App.
A record 70 matches will air live across FOX (40 matches) and FS1 (30 matches). Furthermore, the tournament will feature a record 40 matches, representing more than one-third of the total games, broadcast in prime time across FOX (21 matches) and FS1 (19 matches).
