SouthernWorldwide.com – The United States men’s national soccer team has finalized its 26-man roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement, made on Tuesday afternoon at Pier 17 in Manhattan, revealed a surprising omission: midfielder Diego Luna, who was notably absent from the squad selected by head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Luna’s exclusion is particularly striking given his prominent role in various promotional campaigns leading up to the tournament. He was a central figure in numerous advertisements, including those by Nike, which often feature key players expected to compete on the world stage.
When the roster details began to surface through leaks over the Memorial Day Weekend, Luna’s name was conspicuously missing. This generated significant buzz, as many observers and fans considered him a certainty to represent the United States on home soil this summer.
The official confirmation on Tuesday solidified Luna’s absence. He was not among the midfielders named to the squad, and consequently, did not join the 26 players who appeared on the Pier 17 stage.
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Nike, in particular, had heavily featured Luna in their kit launches. He was showcased wearing the new jerseys that the USMNT will don during the World Cup. The new kit design had already gone viral, with Luna himself contributing to the hype by posting on his Instagram account with the caption, “They never plan for the wild card. Espera lo inesperado.”
Luna, who holds dual citizenship and could have opted to play for Mexico, is widely recognized by fans as the team’s “wild card.” He had cultivated a strong following during the team’s successful run in the 2025 Gold Cup.
However, head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is managing his first World Cup with the USMNT, had previously indicated that players featured in friendly matches prior to the tournament should not assume their place in the final 26-man roster was guaranteed. He made this sentiment clear back in March.
“The players that today are on the roster, they cannot think they are going to be in the final roster,” Pochettino had stated. “When we go to Atlanta, maybe we can take some pictures, prepare things for marketing and things like this, because it is the last opportunity to make these types of things.”
Luna’s performance for the USMNT had been noteworthy. He participated in 17 out of 18 matches in 2025, emerging as a breakout player. During this period, he scored four goals and provided three assists, demonstrating his offensive capabilities.
While Luna plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, he did sustain a knee injury during the international window in March. Despite this setback, he has since played in seven matches for his club, completing at least 70 minutes in six of those games. This suggests that his health was likely not a determining factor in the decision.
The March international window is often a critical period for players vying for a World Cup spot. It is possible that Luna’s performance or situation during that window influenced Pochettino’s strategic choices, leading to a different direction for the squad. Ultimately, only the manager holds the definitive reasons for Luna’s omission.
Beyond Nike, Luna had also been featured in advertising campaigns for Head & Shoulders and Panini, the latter including him in their official World Cup sticker collection. These endorsements highlighted his growing profile within the sport.
With Luna now off the roster, attention has shifted to Gio Reyna, a 23-year-old player from German club Borussia Mönchengladbach. Many believe Reyna’s inclusion is directly linked to Luna’s absence. Reyna brings valuable experience from playing in Europe, a significant asset for World Cup competitions, and possesses a longer history with the USMNT compared to Luna.
