USMNT roster projection for 2026 FIFA World Cup: Who's in, who's out, predicted lineup for USA opening game

As co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States are set to embark on one of the most important months in men's national team history.

Led by Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT is gearing up to push for a legendary performance on home soil, aiming to use this tournament as a springboard for exponential growth in soccer popularity across the country.

A big part in determining their success in such an endeavor will be the performances on the pitch, as the USMNT aims to reach the quarterfinals of a World Cup for the second time in history and first since 2002.

The Sporting News brings you a look at the U.S. depth chart with mere months until the start of the World Cup on June 11, with the USMNT set to get their tournament under way in Group D play the following day.

MORE: A complete guide to how the FIFA World Cup draw works

USMNT roster projection for 2026 FIFA World Cup

It has now been determined that Mauricio Pochettino will be able to call in 26 players to the FIFA World Cup. While there were discussions that they could be reduced back to the traditional 23, or even expanded up to 30, they will remain the same as they were in Qatar 2022.

The FIFA World Cup traditionally has featured 23-player squads. However, FIFA increased the size to 26 players for the 2022 World Cup "because of its unique timing [being moved to December] and the disruptive effects caused by COVID-19."

MORE: Explaining Mauricio Pochettino's tactics in the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Projected USMNT roster for 2026 World Cup

*Caps correct as of their last match on March 31, 2026.

Position breakdown for USMNT 2026 World Cup roster

Goalkeepers

• Locks: Matt Freese
• In the mix: Chris Brady, Jonathan Klinsmann, Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner
• On the outside: Drake Callender, Roman Celentano, Ethan Horvath, Diego Kochen

Matt Turner had been the incumbent goalkeeper since breaking into the squad at the 2021 Gold Cup, and was the starter at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, after moving back from Europe to MLS in an effort to find more game time, his spot has been challenged by Matt Freese who himself has been a favorite of Pochettino since his selection at the 2025 Gold Cup.

It appears now that Freese has undoubtedly taken over for Turner as the supposed starter. In fact, Turner's lengthy absence from national team duty calls into question if he will even be brought in when the World Cup comes around.

The third-string position is a complete unknown. Patrick Schulte and Jonathan Klinsmann seem to be the two favorites, but Chris Brady could also be the final selection in the end. 

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Center-backs

• Locks: Chris Richards, Tim Ream
• In the mix: Noahkai Banks, George Campbell, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty
• On the outside: Tristan Blackmon, Nathan Harriel, Jalen Neal, Erik Palmer-Brown, Jackson Ragen, Walker Zimmerman

The center-back position is wide-open with the U.S. national team at the moment, with just Chris Richards the only guaranteed starter. At 38 years old, Tim Ream remains a steady and consistent option, even as he has lost a step and becomes a bit more mistake-prone with age.

Beyond them, it's impossible to know who will make the roster, especially as the position opens up a bit with Pochettino seeming to consider a three-at-the-back tactical approach. Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson have received significant playing time under Pochettino and appear to have an edge as well, even if his performances haven't been terribly convincing.

Behind those four, it's unclear who is in contention. George Campbell has immediately established himself as a regular starter for West Brom after moving from CF Montreal, but still sits on just one international cap coming back in January of 2025.

Look out for young Noahkai Banks who was called in to his first international camp in September. The 18-year-old scored his first professional goal in early October, and if he begins to earn more playing time at his German club Augsburg, he could crop up as a late contender. Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered an Achilles injury in November that threatens his availability in the lead-up to the World Cup, leaving him likely on the outside.

Full-backs

• Locks: Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman
• In the mix: Joe Scally, John Tolkin
• On the outside: Marlon Fossey, DeJuan Jones, Kristoffer Lund, Caleb Wiley

Well established as one of the best left-backs in Europe, Antonee Robinson is one of the first names on the USMNT team-sheet when fully fit. On the right, Sergino Dest has battled injuries over the past year and may not be the lock to start he once was considered, but he is still a no-brainer for at least a roster spot if healthy.

It certainly feels as though Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman have put themselves into a pole position for a World Cup roster spot after endearing themselves to Pochettino through 2025. Their strong performances in Pochettino's system seem to indicate they are in a pole position.

Behind those four leading candidates are a mish-mash of players who are very likely too low on the depth chart to contend for a spot, unless the versatile Joe Scally can revive his international career with a turnaround at his club Borussia Monchengladbach. John Tolkin appeared off the radar until he participated in the 5-1 demolition of Uruguay in November.

Midfielders

• Locks: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman
• In the mix: Brenden Aaronson, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, Aidan Morris, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Tanner Tessmann
• On the outside: Benjamin Cremaschi, Luca de la Torre, James Sands, Yunus Musah

Leader Tyler Adams has not only developed into one of the most imposing figures in the USMNT locker room, but also into a force at his Premier League club. Adams has anchored the Bournemouth midfield, and having seemingly shaken his persistent fitness concerns, the U.S. star has become integral at a club playing in the biggest league in the world.

Weston McKennie continues to prove doubters wrong at Juventus, making him a key presence in the USMNT squad as well. Cristian Roldan has emerged as a strong contender for a place in the squad, as he performs well as the backup to Adams in the No. 6 position.

Behind those two, the depth chart is crowded for a spot in the U.S. midfield, especially if one starting spot is gobbled up by an extra defender in a possible 3-4-3 formation. Tanner Tessmann and Sebastian Berhalter have impressed the coaching staff and are very likely to make the roster.

A summer move to Atletico Madrid seemed to drop Johnny Cardoso down the pecking order, but he has established himself as a starter as the calendar turned to 2026, and he could be a viable roster candidate once again. Brenden Aaronson is still hanging around getting playing time at Leeds and could be a possibility. Yunus Musah was considered a fixture of the squad not long ago, but his struggle for club minutes and a continued failure to establish a natural position have suddenly put his presence at the World Cup in real jeopardy, and a resurgence back into the Atalanta rotation is likely too late.

It also felt too late for Gio Reyna, who continues to struggle not only for club form but also fitness, to make an impact on this World Cup roster, but a strong performance in the November international window breathed new life into his candidacy. He flopped back at the club level since then, but was called back into the squad in March. While he does offer something positive to the team regardless of his club situation, he is likely in direct competition with Diego Luna and probably loses that battle.

Forwards

• Locks: Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah
• In the mix: Patrick Agyemang, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, Alejandro Zendejas
• On the outside: Cade Cowell, Damion Downs, Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Josh Sargent, Brandon Vazquez, Brian White

Christian Pulisic has blossomed into one of the best attackers in Serie A and indeed Europe, and is the first name on the USMNT teamsheet every game in which he is available. Folarin Balogun has risen back to prominence over the last year, and is likely the starter at the No. 9 position.

Behind him are plenty of questions. Haji Wright has logged strong performances for both club Coventry City and country to put him in good position, while Patrick Agyemang is also in the mix after moving to Derby County in the summer and repeatedly finding the scoresheet.

Ricardo Pepi is the biggest uncertainty. After recovering from a serious knee injury, he has put up consistent goal-scoring numbers for PSV both domestically and in the Champions Leauge, but whenever he has been called in to the national team under Mauricio Pochettino, he barely sees the field, lending to the belief that he is fourth in the No. 9 pecking order. Leaving him off the roster would be a concern given his finishing prowess and his strong pressing abilities that seem to fit Pochettino's style nicely.

The chance has come and gone for Josh Sargent, who despite strong form for Norwich City over the last two years has failed to make an impact at the national-team level and moved back home to MLS. The status of Alejandro Zendejas is up in the air, as he continues to perform well for Club America but has been in and out of Pochettino's squad over the last two years.

Predicted USMNT lineup for opening game of 2026 World Cup

Pochettino has trialed a three-at-the-back system in recent games to good effect, and thus it's likely that he could stick with this approach for the foreseeable future. This system is a 4-4-2 out of possession, and a 3-4-2-1 in possession.

Matt Turner is the more experienced option at goalkeeper, but it seems he has been supplanted by Matt Freese as the regular starter in goal, and that appears likely to continue up to and through the World Cup.

In November, Pochettino showed a desire to play a full-back at the "third center-back" position, due to its hybrid nature, and Antonee Robinson is a real option at that spot should he recover from injury. This would allow Tim Weah and Sergino Dest to both see the field in wing-back positions.

Adams is a guaranteed anchor in midfield when healthy, and Tessmann is likely to partner him as a possessional foil to Adams' elite defensive presence. Malik Tillman has been fantastic in a U.S. shirt, but is likely a direct backup to Pulisic amongst the two No. 10s, with McKennie sitting alongside them.

USA predicted starting XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Freese (GK) — Ream, Richards, A. Robinson — Weah, Adams, Tessmann, Dest — Pulisic, McKennie — Balogun.

USA predicted substitutes: Turner (GK), Schulte (GK), Campbell, Trusty, M. Robinson, Arfsten, Freeman, Morris, Berhalter, Roldan, Tillman, Luna, Wright, Pepi.