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NEW YORK – United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) head coach Mauricio Pochettino has expressed strong confidence in Gio Reyna’s ability to make an impact at the upcoming World Cup, after officially including the Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder in his final squad for this summer’s competition. Although Reyna has had limited game time for his club this season, Pochettino made it clear that he sees the youngster as someone he can rely on in crucial moments during the tournament.

‘He has the quality’

Reyna has made only four appearances under the Argentine coach so far, yet Pochettino emphasised that the midfielder remains a vital part of his plans for the U.S. team this summer.

“He has the quality… I really trust him, and I want to give him the confidence,” Pochettino said. “I’m not saying he will play every match, but he can make a difference because he brings something unique — a different kind of player, a special talent. In any squad, you need to have a player like him.”

‘We need to trust the players that have experience’

Pochettino’s support comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Reyna’s inclusion. The creative midfielder had been left out of several previous squads but made his return in November 2025, before being called up again in March.

“I think we need to trust the players that have experience, and that’s very important,” Pochettino explained. “Throughout this process, we have challenged our experienced players because we want to bring out the best in them. We want to be competitive and change the mindset of the group. [Gio] can contribute something different to the team.”

Despite inconsistent minutes both at club level and with the national team, Reyna’s record with the USMNT remains impressive. He has scored nine goals in 36 appearances and has been an integral part of three Nations League title wins. In 2024, he was named the CONCACAF Nations League Player of the Tournament.

A high-profile bust-up

Reyna was previously involved in one of U.S. Soccer’s most controversial episodes following the 2022 World Cup. Reports surfaced that his attitude and effort during training had nearly prompted then-coach Gregg Berhalter to send him home from Qatar. The matter escalated when Berhalter publicly referenced the issue without naming Reyna, leading Reyna’s parents to inform U.S. Soccer about a decades-old domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his now-wife. Berhalter, who currently manages the Chicago Fire, was later cleared to resume his role with the national team, while Reyna gradually earned his way back into the squad.

Reyna has since admitted that the 2022 World Cup served as a major learning experience. Reflecting on that period, he said the squad was “very, very young” and “maybe a little bit inexperienced at the time.” Now, he insists his focus is on doing “whatever I can to help the team,” whether that means starting, coming off the bench, or offering support from the sidelines.

What’s next?

The USMNT will kick off their 2026 World Cup journey in Group D with three matches across the United States. They open against Paraguay on June 12 at 9 p.m. ET, followed by a clash with Australia on June 19 at 3 p.m. ET, and wrap up the group stage against Turkey on June 25 at 10 p.m. ET.