Top News

Mauricio Pochettino has unveiled his 26-man final squad for the World Cup, featuring a mix of expected inclusions and some eyebrow-raising omissions. Sports journalists from GOAL discuss the key talking points from the selection.

The much-anticipated USMNT World Cup squad list has now been revealed—though it surfaced a few days earlier than planned. With no last-minute surprises expected, it’s clear which 26 players will represent the United States on home turf this summer. Familiar names like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Tim Ream, Folarin Balogun, and Chris Richards all feature prominently, suggesting a fairly predictable lineup.

However, there are a few unexpected twists. Diego Luna, who has been a regular feature in U.S. promotional campaigns recently, finds himself left out. Meanwhile, Alejandro Zendejas, whom Pochettino had largely overlooked throughout the past year, suddenly makes the cut—a decision that has raised plenty of questions.

What does this squad say about Pochettino’s plans? Is the limited Major League Soccer (MLS) presence fair, considering his earlier remarks? And how far can this team realistically go? Here’s what the GOAL writers have to say in this edition of The Rondo.

What do we make of the USMNT roster?

Tom Hindle: It feels about right overall. There are some concerns about depth in central midfield, especially with Tanner Tessmann missing out, but given the current injury situation, there’s little to complain about. Perhaps this shows that when push comes to shove, you stick with your best players. Has Pochettino been slightly deceptive over the past two years? Possibly. But the World Cup is what matters now.

Alex Labidou: If you’ve followed Pochettino’s tenure, this roster shouldn’t shock you—apart from Luna’s exclusion. The biggest question remains midfield depth. There’s only one true defensive midfielder in Tyler Adams, and that’s worrying given his injury history. Tessmann could have provided useful cover even if he didn’t perfectly fit the system.

Ryan Tolmich: The team looks solid enough. There are thin areas, yes, but no glaring omissions like a Landon Donovan-type situation. The key in tournaments like the World Cup is fitting your best players together effectively, and this squad largely does that, even if certain calls are up for debate.

Who is the biggest snub?

TH: Hard to say there’s one standout snub. Most of the borderline cases are players who would likely have been bench options anyway. Luna might feel the most hard done by given how he’s performed under Pochettino previously, but his chance will come.

AL: Definitely Luna. He went from being overlooked in the national setup to starring in Pochettino’s Gold Cup squad. While not dominant in MLS this season, he was effective. Many assumed he was competing with Gio Reyna for a spot, but it seems Zendejas edged him instead.

RT: Take your pick among the midfielders. Tessmann and Morris did enough to warrant inclusion, and Yunus Musah might also feel unlucky, especially when comparing his situation to Reyna’s. All three could have made a case for starting roles, but they’ll be watching from home instead.

Who is the surprise addition?

TH: Zendejas, without a doubt. Pochettino repeatedly deflected questions about him for months, only to suddenly bring him in. Whether he actually plays remains to be seen, but his inclusion was unexpected.

AL: Agreed—it has to be Zendejas. The Club América winger has been mostly out of the picture during Pochettino’s tenure. He has shown flashes of quality and embodies the intensity that the manager likes, but his current form doesn’t necessarily justify selection. A year ago, he was one of América’s standout players, but both he and the club have dipped slightly since early 2025. Still, the 28-year-old could make an impact this summer.

RT: The roster doesn’t feature many “how did he get in?” moments. Zendejas is the closest example, considering his limited USMNT involvement over the past year. But given his club-level performances, the call-up makes sense.

Which position causes the most concern?

TH: Attacking midfield. Where’s the form? Pulisic has struggled recently, Malik Tillman hasn’t impressed at Bayer Leverkusen, and Gio Reyna has barely played. Tim Weah hasn’t shone at Marseille either—and he’s still not a right-back. With McKennie likely playing deeper alongside Adams, creativity could be an issue.

AL: Beyond defensive midfield depth, the backline raises concerns, especially if Chris Richards isn’t fully fit. The other central defenders are familiar but limited. Auston Trusty could be the wild card—if he carries his Celtic form into the national team, the U.S. defense might outperform expectations.

RT: The midfield is the biggest worry. Adams and McKennie form a strong base, but what if one picks up an injury or suspension? Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter are capable, but that’s a big step up. The fixture spacing helps, but depth remains a question mark.

Can this team make a deep run?

TH: The squad looks like many mid-tier World Cup teams: strong in certain positions but thin elsewhere. Like many MLS clubs in international play, the USMNT can compete with top sides from one to eleven, but the drop-off afterward is steep. One knockout win should be the target—two would be a real success.

AL: It largely depends on Pulisic. The AC Milan winger is the only truly world-class player in this team, but his form since early 2026 has been below par. He may have returned too soon from an injury sustained against Australia in November. With a few weeks before the opening match, there’s still time for him to rediscover his rhythm.

RT: It’s too early to tell. They should get through the group, but beyond that, it’s about fine margins—fitness, discipline, and moments of brilliance. On paper, the U.S. can match many teams, but consistency will decide how far they go.

Is it unfair that Pochettino selected only eight MLS players?

TH: Not unfair, but surprising. Despite frequently praising MLS in press conferences, Pochettino has ultimately leaned toward players with European experience. They’re accustomed to the highest level of competition, and that seems to have swayed him.

AL: Honestly, yes. Pochettino has often compared MLS favorably to major leagues, yet he picked even fewer MLS players than Gregg Berhalter did. He’s also talked about picking based on form rather than reputation—but then included Reyna despite his underwhelming club season. It feels like a manager picking for the short term, knowing he might not stay after the tournament.

RT: It’s consistent with past coaches. Berhalter called up nine MLS players last cycle, Jurgen Klinsmann had ten in 2014 (though two had just returned from Europe). It’s not a criticism or endorsement; it simply reflects the evolving USMNT pool, which naturally leans more European at the top level.