USMNT still has pressing roster decisions to make before World Cup — and ‘no one can feel safe’

CHESTER, Pa. — Mauricio Pochettino has no intention of being cruel when it comes to picking the 26-man roster for the World Cup-bound United States men’s national team.

But make no mistake: Nobody’s roster spot is safe.

Outside Subaru Park, a little more than half an hour outside Philadelphia, a countdown clock clicked off the time until the start of the World Cup next June prior to kickoff of the USMNT’s match with Paraguay on Saturday.

A stark reminder of the dwindling time left for Pochettino to make his decisions for 2026.

Mauricio Pochettino is pictured after the United States men’s national team’s friendly Nov. 15. Imagn Images

A pair of friendlies during the November camp are being played without a number of recognizable names, including American stars Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams — both dealing with injuries.

That has led the head coach to detail what’s at stake for every player in camp.

“For me, I think it’s the players that deserve to be here are the players that we want to see, are the players that are our choice, our selection,” Pochettino said ahead of Saturday’s friendly, which the USMNT won, 2-1. “No one can feel safe. No one can feel that it’s going to be even the name that you say: Pulisic or Tyler Adams. I think the federation is bigger than the names.

“That is the national team. That is representation of the country, it’s everyone.”

Weston McKennie, Chris Richards and Malik Tillman also have not been with the USMNT this week.

And with all of that in mind, Pochettino wants every player to be ready to play if his name is called for the World Cup.

“It’s a great opportunity in the moment that, [if] we decide to pick another player, choose another player, that player needs to show up and step up and say, ‘Yes, we have the opportunity to be part of the roster for the next World Cup,’ ” Pochettino explained.

The U.S. men’s national team reacts after its victory over Paraguay on Nov. 15. Getty Images

Pulisic, of course, has been a big topic of conversation since the Gold Cup earlier this year — a tournament in which the Pennsylvania native opted not to play, instead choosing to rest after a grueling club season.

Pulisic had returned to the national team for the September camp held in New Jersey but was injured in an October match and has been recovering since.

He gave a wide-ranging interview with CBS Sports Golazo this week and explained his focus at the moment is on recovery.

“I just want to make sure I have the time now to fully care for myself and make sure that my hamstring is doing well and allow other guys to take the place. So, I think it’s just the best decision for everyone right now,” he said.

After Saturday’s match and a friendly against Uruguay in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Pochettino’s squad will not reconvene until March.

And when the club meets for its final camp ahead of the start of the World Cup, which begins May 27, Pochettino will have his roster set and won’t be making any cuts.

“I think it’s difficult when you bring more than 26 [players] and then you need to tell on the last day, you are out,” he explained. “I prefer in a different way to bring the 26 that you believe that are going to be in the squad, and if something happens, you call someone. … But to be involved, then to go home, I think is more cruel that situation than if you call and say we need you because something wrong happened or some player was injured.”