2026 World Cup United States Roster Preview

Zak Drapeau
Jun 3
3 min read

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 6/3/2026

Photo Credits to Adam Hunger via Getty Images

Manager

Mauricio Pochettino

Goalies

Matt Freese (Starting GK)

Matt Turner -GK

Chris Brady - GK

Defense

Chris Richards (Starting CB)

Sergino Dest (Starting RB)

Mark McKenzie (Starting CB) Tim Ream - CB

Antonee Robinson (Starting LB) Alex Freeman - RB

Miles Robinson - CB

Auston Trusty - CB

Joe Scally - RB

Midfield

Christian Pulisic (Starting LW)

Weston McKennie (Starting CDM)

Tyler Adams (Starting CDM)

Timothy Weah (Starting RW)

Giovanni Reyna - CAM

Christian Roldan - CM

Sebastian Berhalter - CM

Brendan Aaronson - CAM

Malik Tillman - CAM/CM

Forward

Folarin Balogun (Starting ST)

Ricardo Pepi - ST

Haji Wright - ST/LW

Max Arfsten - LW/LB

Alejandro Zendejas - RW

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos via Getty Images

Formation Will be Key

The big question for the 2026 World Cup squad will be if Manager Mauricio Pochettino will play use a base formation using an extra defender or midfielder, or in Soccer terms a 5-2-3 or a 4-2-3-1. The 11th man will either be CB Tim Ream or CAM Giovanni Reyna depending on which formation he decided. The 38-year old Ream was recently named Captain of the squad leading most to expect the defender will finish out the squad more often than not.

A huge change came in Pochettino's decision came when American Midfielder Johnny Cardoso playing for Atletico Madrid suffered a high grade high ankle sprain during team training on May 7, 2026. Penciled in the middle of what would've been a 4-2-1-3 with him healthy, tactics had to be reworked after Cardoso's injury.

Pochettino has a long history of preferring a 4-2-3-1 formation. As Manager for clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea over the last 12 years, he would use his preferred formation to reach the UCL final in 2019, win Ligue 1 in 2022 and reached several cup finals along the way.

The Americans are not favorites to go far in the tournament but have a strong possibility of making the final 16 based on their Group, (Group D) having the likes of Paraguay, Turkey and Australia in it. Without a superior team, the Americans will have to rely on smart midfield play and a good defense. With reliable veterans like Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson hoinglding the back, the United States will likely have their game start and build around the back.

Injuries Effect Roster

Photo Credits to Davis Ramos via Getty Images

Cardoso is only 24-years old but already has 23 appearances for his country and was thought to be a lock in the World Cup Starting XI for the World Cup pre-injury. His stability at midfield would've been a core tactic for the team that has now had to be changed almost on the fly.

Another player that had to be left off the squad due to injury is Derby County Striker, Patrick Agyemang. Not guaranteed but heavily assumed to make the final cut, Agyemang would have likely been the2nd or 3rd striker for the team and a necessary backup scorer.

The other injury to watch for is being dealt with by Crystal Palace CB and USMNT Starter Chris Richards. Reported to suffer a torn ankle ligament as recent as 3 weeks ago, Richards was still selected for the squad and has been training with the team although his ability to start or go 90 minutes is very questionable.