LOS ANGELES — The official announcement is three days away, but Mauricio Pochettino’s 2026 World Cup roster is already out. The Guardian obtained the full 26-man list and verified it with multiple sources. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio separately confirmed several of the key selections and omissions. U.S. Soccer declined to comment, with the official reveal set for Tuesday, May 26, at a live primetime event in New York City.
Here is everything we know.
The Biggest Surprises
Diego Luna is out. The 22-year-old Real Salt Lake forward has been central to USMNT marketing ahead of a home World Cup, appearing in Nike campaigns and Fox Sports promos throughout the buildup. Despite four goals and two assists in seven MLS appearances since April 1, and Pochettino repeatedly praising his aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, Luna did not make the cut. His RSL teammate Zavier Gozo is also off the squad.
Tanner Tessmann is also out. The Lyon midfielder appeared in 29 league matches this season and started 22 of them. He suffered a muscle strain two weeks ago but was still widely expected to make the roster. His exclusion, alongside the omission of Aidan Morris, leaves Pochettino with just four central or defensive midfielders on the squad.
On the other side, Alejandro Zendejas is in. The Guardian flagged his inclusion as the most notable new detail from the full roster. The Club America winger leads Liga MX’s most dangerous attacks with 12 goals and seven assists this season, but Pochettino has given him just 139 minutes across six USMNT appearances, with his last shift coming in September against Japan.
The Polarizing Pick: Reyna Gets His Shot
Gio Reyna is on the roster. The Borussia Monchengladbach attacker played just 520 minutes for his club this season, carries a complicated history with the program, and was at the center of one of the most dramatic fallouts in USMNT history during the 2022 World Cup. None of it changed Pochettino’s mind. The manager has repeatedly praised Reyna publicly and made clear he is willing to select him regardless of club form.
Sebastian Berhalter is also in. The son of former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter never represented the U.S. at youth level but forced his way into Pochettino’s plans through consistent development at Vancouver. He made the MLS Best XI last season, helped the Whitecaps reach their first MLS Cup berth and Concacaf Champions Cup final, and brings a set-piece specialization the squad has lacked.
The Full Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire, 0/0), Matt Freese (NYCFC, 14/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, 53/0)
Defenders (10): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew, 18/1), Sergino Dest (PSV, 37/2), Alex Freeman (Villarreal, 15/2), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse, 27/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC, 80/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, 36/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 52/4), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati, 38/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach, 24/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic, 6/0)
Midfielders (4): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth, 52/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps, 11/1), Weston McKennie (Juventus, 64/12), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders, 45/0)
Attacking midfielders/wingers (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, 57/9), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan, 84/32), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach, 36/9), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen, 28/3), Tim Weah (Marseille, 49/7), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America, 13/2)
Strikers (3): Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco, 25/8), Ricardo Pepi (PSV, 35/13), Haji Wright (Coventry City, 20/7)
* Caps and goals listed in parentheses. First-time World Cup selections make up half the squad.
What Comes Next
The official announcement drops Tuesday, May 26, at a live primetime event in New York City, the first time U.S. Soccer has unveiled a World Cup squad in this format. From there, the USMNT faces Senegal in Charlotte on May 31 and Germany in Chicago on June 6 before heading to its training base in Irvine, California ahead of the tournament opener on June 12.
City Champs Media will have full coverage from the roster reveal through the tournament. Check back Tuesday for the official breakdown.
