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GOAL analyses the major winners and losers following Mauricio Pochettino's announcement of the USMNT squad for the upcoming World Cup, a list featuring bold inclusions like Alejandro Zendejas and Gio Reyna.

NEW YORK -- After months of anticipation and speculation, the 26-man roster that will represent the U.S. Men’s National Team at this summer’s World Cup has finally been confirmed. Yet, as always, the debate surrounding the selections is far from over — in fact, it’s only just begun.

Mauricio Pochettino’s choices were anything but straightforward. While there were no glaring omissions, several decisions have already sparked controversy. Every World Cup roster brings difficult calls, and the USMNT was no exception as Pochettino navigated tough decisions involving several big names.

“We are not going to talk about the players who are not on the roster because that would be disrespectful to those who are,” Pochettino said during the squad announcement in New York. “It was my decision. From the start, we worked very hard for more than a year and a half to make the best possible decisions. It’s impossible to be entirely fair to everyone.”

So, who benefited most from those choices? And who was left heartbroken? Here’s a look at the winners and losers from the USMNT’s World Cup squad announcement.

WINNER: Gio Reyna

Though his inclusion had been predicted by some, it was far from guaranteed. Pochettino himself called Reyna a “special player,” one who demands bold decision-making.

Despite limited club minutes, Reyna made the cut — and understandably so. His impact at the international level is undeniable. He has delivered in big moments, including two Nations League finals, and impressed again last autumn with a goal and an assist upon returning to the national setup. Few in the U.S. pool can replicate what Reyna offers, and Pochettino clearly wanted him on board.

“We need to trust experienced players. Gio was fantastic from the last camp until now,” said Pochettino. “He brings unique qualities — the ability to hold the ball and link play. I trust him, just as I trust everyone here.”

Reyna’s exact role remains to be seen. Could he be a high-impact substitute? A starter against sides like Paraguay, whom he scored against recently? Or perhaps a late-game option in tight situations? He could well be all three. What matters most is that Pochettino values his contribution enough to keep him in the squad.

“You need a player like him,” Pochettino reiterated on Tuesday.

LOSER: Diego Luna

Diego Luna’s omission is particularly tough to take. Over the past 18 months, the Real Salt Lake midfielder has done everything asked of him — yet still missed out. It’s a cruel twist, but one that’s not uncommon in international football.

Luna had become a central figure in Pochettino’s early tenure, symbolising the team’s intensity and spirit — even playing through a broken nose. His performances in the Gold Cup and beyond made him a favourite for at least a bench role. But ultimately, there was no space.

This isn’t the first setback for the 22-year-old, who also narrowly missed the Olympic squad. That experience drove him to push harder for the World Cup, but heartbreak struck again. Still, with his age and talent, there’s every reason to believe Luna will have another chance next cycle.

WINNER: Centre Backs

Pochettino’s centre-back selection raised eyebrows — mostly because he found a way to include nearly all of them. Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, and Miles Robinson were all named as central defenders, with Joe Scally and Alex Freeman also capable of playing there. In total, seven players could realistically start across the three centre-back slots.

“It’s important to have enough options at centre back, which is why we have five for different reasons,” Pochettino explained.

One reason may be concern over Chris Richards’ fitness. The Crystal Palace defender’s availability for Wednesday’s Conference League final had been uncertain, though Palace later confirmed he had trained. Whether he would start remained unclear.

“We’ll see tomorrow if he plays, and then we’ll assess when he arrives,” Pochettino added.

By loading up on central defenders, Pochettino sacrificed depth in other areas — a calculated risk that could shape how the U.S. adapts tactically during the tournament.

LOSER: Central Midfielders

The area most impacted by that defensive surplus was midfield. Pochettino named only three traditional central midfielders — Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, and Cristian Roldan. Weston McKennie is expected to drop deeper, while Malik Tillman could fill in if needed, but that’s still a thin group.

Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris, both strong candidates to partner Adams, were left out — arguably the boldest decisions of Pochettino’s tenure. Despite the limited depth, he stressed that tactical flexibility was a priority.

“We’ve planned this roster to be tactically adaptable,” he said. “It allows us to play with a back four or back three, with or without a holding midfielder — even with a more attacking player in front of the back line.”

For Tessmann and Morris, it’s a painful blow after being part of the setup throughout the cycle but missing out on the final stage.

WINNER: Alejandro Zendejas

Zendejas’ resurgence came at the perfect time. Though he appeared in just two USMNT matches in 2025, scoring once against Japan, his outstanding form for Club America — six goals and four assists in 923 minutes — made him impossible to ignore. He’s arguably been Liga MX’s standout performer, and Pochettino rewarded that consistency.

“Alejandro offers versatility,” Pochettino said. “He can play on the wings or in midfield pockets. He communicates well and has strong chemistry with teammates. Tactically, he’s very interesting.”

With his creativity and form, Zendejas could play a meaningful role. Pochettino clearly has a plan for him — otherwise, he wouldn’t be part of the 26-man group.

LOSER: Young Prospects

While fans hoped to see some of the USMNT’s emerging stars, none made the final squad. Zavier Gozo and Julian Hall had been in fine form in MLS, while Adri Mehmeti was impressing from midfield. Yet, Pochettino opted for players he already knew from previous camps.

One notable absentee was defender Noahkai Banks, who had been in camp earlier but is now weighing his options between the U.S. and Germany. He won’t feature for either at this World Cup but remains focused on long-term development.

For these youngsters, the future is still bright. Once this World Cup concludes, several are expected to step up and become key figures for the national side in the next cycle.

Reporting contributed by Tom Hindle from New York.