SouthernWorldwide.com – The United States has officially unveiled its 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision that has predictably stirred considerable debate and controversy among fans and pundits.
Midfielders Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter, along with winger Alejandro Zendejas, have secured spots on the squad named by U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino. Conversely, midfielders Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were notably left out.
The roster also sees the return of defender Sergiño Dest, midfielder Tyler Adams, and forward Haji Wright, all of whom were sidelined for the March friendlies due to injuries. Zendejas himself had been absent from the March roster following a knee injury sustained last fall.
The announcement took place on the roof of South Street Seaport’s Pier 17, with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge serving as a picturesque backdrop. The players were presented in the order of their designated uniform numbers.
When pressed by reporters about the notable omissions from the squad, Pochettino firmly dismissed the line of questioning. He articulated that dwelling on those not selected is disrespectful to the players who have earned their place on the team.
“I think we cannot talk about the players that are not in the roster, because I think it’s very disrespectful to the player that made the roster,” Pochettino stated. “Because … we are going to talk about the players that are not in the roster … and that for me is very disrespectful.”
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The manager took full responsibility for the final selection decisions, emphasizing that accommodating one popular choice would inevitably lead to questions about another.
“That was my decision to pick that 26 and now we need to respect (it),” Pochettino asserted. “If I include one for sure, you are going to ask me for another … we really believe that that squad, these 26 players are the right players.”
Pochettino highlighted that the selection process was the culmination of an extensive 18-month scouting period. The objective was to assemble a team capable of competing at the highest international level.
“We were working really hard, doing one year and a half or more to try to arrive in this moment in the best condition with all the information to try and to make the best decision,” he explained. “It’s impossible to be fair with everyone, but they seem to make the best decision to be competitive on their end, and to try to win.”
Among the most significant inclusions is Gio Reyna, the son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna. Reyna’s inclusion comes despite him having been close to being sent home from the 2022 World Cup by then-coach Gregg Berhalter due to a perceived lack of hustle. Furthermore, he has made only four starts this season for Borussia Mönchengladbach, with his last start dating back to December 19.
Despite his limited recent playing time, Pochettino views Reyna as a “special player” whose talents are crucial for the squad.
Sebastian Berhalter, the 25-year-old son of former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, also made the cut. He debuted for the national team last June and has since established himself as the Americans’ most reliable corner-kick taker.
Players who were part of the March roster but did not make the final cut include goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, along with midfielders Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris.
Diego Luna, who missed the March matches due to a knee injury, had played in 17 out of 18 international games last year. Despite his prior involvement, he was ultimately unable to reclaim his spot on the roster.
The U.S. squad has also faced challenges due to player injuries. Two key players are sidelined with recent ailments: midfielder Johnny Cardoso underwent surgery for a torn right ankle, and forward Patrick Agyemang is currently dealing with a torn right Achilles tendon. Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles suffered in October.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament, hosted across three North American countries, will conclude with the final match on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live across FOX (70 games) and FS1 (34 games), with every game also available for live streaming and on-demand viewing through the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record-breaking 40 matches, representing more than a third of the tournament’s total, will be aired in prime time across FOX (21 games) and FS1 (19 games).
The opening match of the tournament on June 11, featuring Mexico and South Africa, is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and will be streamed for free on Tubi. Similarly, the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12, also at 9 p.m. ET, will be available for free streaming on Tubi.
