Jollibee777
Guides
Real Money Online Casinos
SLOT GAME
FIFA Men’s World Cup: Projecting USA’s 2026 World Cup Squad
Just because the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup ended in disappointment for Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t mean that the U.S. men’s national team coach didn’t achieve his goals this summer. Sure, winning the tournament was the main objective. After a hastily assembled group of American players, missing star forward Christian Pulisic and around a dozen other regulars, fought their way to the final only to lose a tough match against rival Mexico in front of 71,000 mostly El Tri fans, it certainly stung. bingo pg777 However, Pochettino learned a great deal about his players in June and July — insights that will help inform the many tough decisions he must make next May, when the co-hosts’ 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup must be submitted to FIFA.
With just ten months to go, who is projected to make the cut? Here are our best predictions as it stands today.
Goalkeepers
Starter: Matt Turner
Backups: Matt Freese, Zack Steffen
Just Missed Out: Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Patrick Schulte, Gaga Slonina
Though Pochettino wanted to give another keeper a chance during the Gold Cup — Freese seized the opportunity when Steffen and Schulte withdrew from the squad due to injury — Turner is expected to reclaim the No. 1 spot. He is likely to get that chance, as the 2022 World Cup starter is anticipated to leave Premier League club Nottingham Forest for French side Lyon before the Ligue 1 season kicks off next month. Turner, 31, would replace Brazilian Lucas Perri, who has drawn interest from England this summer.
Freese likely secured his place in the 2026 roster at the Gold Cup, where his three saves in a shootout win over Costa Rica (and legendary Ticos goalkeeper Keylor Navas) propelled the Americans to the semifinals. The third spot is still contestable, but the smart bet is on veteran Steffen. Had he not been sidelined, the 31-year-old former Manchester City backup would have been Pochettino’s Gold Cup choice jl slot login.
Defenders
Starters: Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson
Backups: Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman
Just Missed Out: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty
After the 2022 World Cup, few expected then-35-year-old Ream to continue with the USMNT. Almost three years later, however, nobody else has managed to beat out the crafty left-footed center back for the spot alongside the solid Richards, who impressed during the Gold Cup. That could still change between now and next summer, but for now, the position belongs to Ream, who served as Pochettino’s captain throughout the tournament.
Dest and Jedi both missed the Gold Cup while recovering from injuries but are guaranteed starters at fullback if they’re fit. Freeman and Arfsten emerged as their likely understudies as the seasons progress.
Holding Midfielders
Starters: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie
Backups: Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann
Just Missed Out: Gianluca Busio, Luca de la Torre, Aidan Morris
For the U.S. to thrive on home soil, they’ll need Adams and McKennie on the pitch. Pochettino might even reunite these two with Musah, who formed the impressive “MMA” midfield that shut down pre-tournament favorite England at Qatar 2022. Berhalter is making a name for himself among the backups, with his accuracy on set-pieces giving him an edge over the more experienced De la Torre. Lyon’s Tessmann is expected to make a return after missing the Gold Cup, while Cardoso still remains an enigma on the international stage. Despite having limited minutes due to an ankle injury during the Gold Cup, his potential saw Spanish giants Atlético Madrid pay a hefty $35 million for his transfer last week.
Attacking Midfielders
Starter: Malik Tillman
Backup: Diego Luna
Just Missed Out: Jack McGlynn, Gio Reyna
With three goals in six games, Luna garnered much attention during the Gold Cup. Not only did Tillman match that production, but his quality, maturity, and toughness shone throughout the tournament as well. There’s every reason to believe that the 23-year-old will carry this confidence into his new season with Bayer Leverkusen, which he joined after his successful stint at PSV Eindhoven.
Then there’s Reyna. The oft-injured playmaker seems increasingly distant from the USMNT, having logged only 12 minutes off the bench during Borussia Dortmund’s campaign in the FIFA Club World Cup. He has managed just one appearance under Pochettino so far. legend bet casino Reports indicate that the 22-year-old is on his way to Italy’s Parma, which could prove to be an ideal match for him. However, Reyna seems to be on the fringes for now.
Wingers
Starters: Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic
Backups: Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright
Just Missed Out: Paxten Aaronson, Damion Downs, Quinn Sullivan
Despite Pochettino’s potential decision not to call on Pulisic for the September friendlies against Japan and South Korea following his absence from the Gold Cup, it’s clear that the coach and his most irreplaceable player need each other. They will find a way to align in the lead-up to the World Cup, where Pulisic will play a pivotal role for the USMNT. jiliko sign in
Meanwhile, the classy and quick-footed Weah holds nearly equal importance on the opposite flank, as he can stretch defenses and create spaces for his teammates. Pochettino’s Gold Cup selections highlighted a serious lack of genuine wingers in the American player pool past Pulisic and Weah. Wright would have likely been given more opportunities but left camp due to an Achilles issue after scoring in the group stage opener. Still, he has shown capabilities under Pochettino and can also fit in as a center forward. While Aaronson might not strike Pochettino’s fancy, there aren’t many obvious alternatives available. Downs saw more action off the bench during the knockout stage, but most of his minutes came in a central position.
Striker
Starter: Ricardo Pepi
Backups: Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent
Just Missed Out: Patrick Agyemang, Brian White
Not only is Pepi back to full health after surgery to mend a torn meniscus he sustained when scoring the game-winning goal against Liverpool in a Champions League match last January, but he also enters the new campaign as PSV’s first-choice striker following the departure of club legend Luuk de Jong. This is a major advantage for the 22-year-old Texan.
Balogun is expected to be fit as well after an injury-plagued season; an ankle issue sidelined him from Gold Cup action. The competition for the striker position is tight, but Agyemang has the current edge, especially with Sargent not making Pochettino’s selections this summer. However, projecting out ten months, Sargent might hold the upper hand. Rumors suggest that he is returning to the German Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, which would provide an excellent opportunity for a player who excelled in England’s second-tier Championship last season.
On the other hand, Agyemang’s new move holds significant risk. The lanky (6-foot-4) 24-year-old just transferred from MLS’s Charlotte to Derby County — a club that finished 19th in the Championship last year and managed a mere 48 goals in 46 games — and will undeniably require time to adjust both on and off the field.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered the United States men’s and women’s national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. jiliko register philippines Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
What are your thoughts on the projected squad for the USA in the upcoming World Cup?
