SouthernWorldwide.com – The inclusion of Sebastian Berhalter in the United States’ 2026 FIFA World Cup roster has sparked discussion, particularly given his familial connection to the national team’s coaching staff.
Sebastian Berhalter’s selection marks a significant moment, as he becomes the second father-son duo to represent the USA at a World Cup, following in the footsteps of Gio and Claudio Reyna.
This historical parallel places the Berhalters alongside the Reynas, with Gio Reyna now preparing for his second World Cup appearance, having debuted in 2022 under his father Claudio’s former national team coach, Gregg Berhalter.
Gregg Berhalter, who played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups alongside Claudio Reyna, led the USA to the Round of 16 in the 2022 tournament. However, his tenure ended following the team’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Copa América, which paved the way for Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as the new U.S. manager and subsequently, Sebastian’s potential breakthrough.
Alexi Lalas, a prominent figure at Fox Sports, commented on the roster announcement, highlighting the unique narrative. “Four years ago, his dad, Gregg Berhalter, was the coach. [Sebastian] was in the stands in Qatar watching this team, and now he’s on this team,” Lalas stated on “Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union.”
Gregg Berhalter himself had previously expressed that he “never could have picked” his son for the 2022 squad. However, he also conveyed a sense of destiny, remarking, “everything is in the place it’s supposed to be. It’s his turn. It’s his time now.”
Lalas further elaborated that Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal from the coaching position was a crucial factor in Sebastian’s path to the World Cup roster. “I was reading those quotes from Gregg Berhalter. He’s proud of his son, but he’s also incredibly honest. Sebastian Berhalter is not on this team if Gregg Berhalter is still the coach,” Lalas argued.
He added, “As painful as the moment was when Gregg Berhalter was fired from the USMNT, it is the reason why his son is now representing the USA at the World Cup. As a father, he is probably pretty happy and if that’s the tradeoff, I think he would be ok with it.”
Conversely, Fox Sports soccer analyst Stu Holden believes that the 25-year-old Berhalter would have earned his spot on the team irrespective of his father’s former role, based on his recent performances for both the USA and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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Holden suggested that the criticism surrounding Berhalter’s inclusion is indicative of a broader underappreciation of Major League Soccer (MLS) players, despite their improving performances. “MLS bias. We have two guys, Berhalter and [Seattle’s Cristian] Roldan, that are good soccer players,” Holden remarked.
“They have performed well in big moments for the USA and are having a great year with their teams,” he continued, asserting his confidence in both Roldan and Berhalter.
Holden stated that he would have no reservations about starting either player in a World Cup match. “I have no qualms or hesitation to say I’d start either of those guys in a game, and I don’t think the level drops off,” Holden added.
This defense from Holden also underscores the significant MLS presence within the current USA roster. Eight players currently playing in MLS have been selected for the 26-man World Cup squad.
Furthermore, an additional 13 players on the roster have a background in MLS, having either come through the league’s academies or developed within the league before moving to play abroad.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament, hosted across three 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 on FOX and FS1. Every game will also be available for live and on-demand streaming on FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, representing more than a third of the tournament’s schedule, will air in prime time across FOX and FS1.
The opening match on June 11, featuring Mexico against South Africa at 3 p.m. ET, will be streamed for free on Tubi. The USA’s opening game against Paraguay on June 12, also at 9 p.m. ET, will be similarly accessible.
